Anyone use binoculars on the stream?

[Letort]

Curious if anyone is using binoculars on the stream to identify insects / hatches that are not visible to the eye?

Just a tip I read somewhere and am thinking about trying a pair on the water this year.

If you carry a pair, any recs on a packable and small pair?

 

[krayfish2]

Yep. When you're sitting in the boat and a fish is feeding every 3-5 seconds but you don't see anything with the naked eye... it's a life saver. Also, have been out there and see sulphurs covering the water but can't get an eat. Look through the binoculars and see 20x the amount in olives. You can watch the fish feed in between the sulphurs and eat the olives. Interesting way to go about things some days

 

[wildtrout2]

Never even entertained the thought. I'm lucky if I can see past the next rhody bush. 😉

 

[jifigz]

I've never thought about it, either, but Kray's observations above are interesting and a good idea.

 

[Mike]

I use them to watch the warblers that divert my fishing attention during the May migration.

 

[DO_inthewoods]

If I bring them in only fishing half the time, too many good birds near the water! Definitely pick my general fishing/putzing/birdwatching days vs dedicated fishing.

Or I go out birdwatching and scouting new water

 

[pheasant tail 2]

Probably this is old news for some, but if you look through one eye tube of a binocular in reverse it can be used as a magnifier.

 

[KeviR]

Curious if anyone is using binoculars on the stream to identify insects / hatches that are not visible to the eye?

Just a tip I read somewhere and am thinking about trying a pair on the water this year.

If you carry a pair, any recs on a packable and small pair?

I have a nice Olympus foldable that I saw a recommendation for many years ago. They are super compact and have good optics. Not huge magnification, but great for a mini pair. I just looked on eB** an there are several like it for <$30. Can't beat that with a stick.

 

[goose54cdd]

Sometimes I wish I would have them along to see if fish are rising in the next pool.

 

[greywolf]

Curious if anyone is using binoculars on the stream to identify insects / hatches that are not visible to the eye?

Just a tip I read somewhere and am thinking about trying a pair on the water this year.

If you carry a pair, any recs on a packable and small pair?

Never considered it. I already carry way too much stuff with me when fishing a stream.

 

[TroutHunter814]

I’ll carry them fishing occasionally, but like the others have said…. It’s mostly for birding.
I use Steiner Safari 8x22 extra sharp compact's. Pretty good quality, and not expensive.

 

[dryflyguy]

I carry a pair in my truck.

First thing I usually do when I get to a stream, is go to a spot with a bridge crossing.
Great place to walk out with them and scan the river up and down for rises and bugs.

I had a nice compact pair that I used to carry in back of my vest while wading
And they were handy at times.
But one day, I waded a little deeper than I realized.
And soaked them.

Back home afterward, I took them apart as much as I could to dry them out.
But the one side had a cloudy film that I just could not get rid of.
And I ended up pitching them.

I'd recommend getting waterproof ones.
Or a waterproof holder

 

[Bamboozle]

I used to carry a very small monocular in a little zipper case in my vest for a long time for looking at insects and other stuff. I can't say I used them much, but they were cool.

When I abandoned the vest I also abandoned the monocular and a bunch of other junk I carried for insect collection and identification because I adopted a much simpler system...

"Small yellow bug, small brown bug, larger tan bug, etc..."

These days all I carry is a nice pair of binoculars in the back of my SUV. I use them for occasional scouting of the landscape and looking at women swimming at the various PA State Parks I frequent.

 

[Tigereye]

I have a small cheap pair that I use in the lehigh gorge area. Slow walk or ride on the bike trail stopping at likely spots watching for risers. If i find something of interest, i concentrate my efforts there.
Saves alot of time fishing non productive water

 

[mt_flyfisher]

I often took my binoculars with me when I was in my drift boat in Montana not to see insects hatching or trout rising, but to see the birds, wildlife or scenic views as we floated and fished the rivers nearby. My Swarovski EL 10x42 binoculars in a waterproof Pelican case was too large to carry even if I wanted to have taken them with me when I was walking and wading.

I also fished just in front of our place on the Yellowstone where there was excellent fishing. In the evenings, I also often got my binoculars out to view deer that came down the bank on the opposite side of the river. You can see the opening in the trees there where they often stood.

 

[moodyblues]

I used to carry a very small monocular in a little zipper case in my vest for a long time for looking at insects and other stuff. I can't say I used them much, but they were cool.

When I abandoned the vest I also abandoned the monocular and a bunch of other junk I carried for insect collection and identification because I adopted a much simpler system...

"Small yellow bug, small brown bug, larger tan bug, etc..."

These days all I carry is a nice pair of binoculars in the back of my SUV. I use them for occasional scouting of the landscape and looking at women swimming at the various PA State Parks I frequent.

The bikini hatch used to be much better years ago. These days you view it at your own peril.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

The bikini hatch used to be much better years ago. These days you view it at your own peril.

My boys enjoyed it every spring they attended college at Messiah.

 

[Gibbon]

I have not carried binoculars in the past, but after reading this I'm now considering it on some days for bird watching. I have a pair on Steiner Predator compact 10X26. Great for detail but limited field of view, plus they are water proof.

 

[Fly-Swatter]

Yep. When you're sitting in the boat and a fish is feeding every 3-5 seconds but you don't see anything with the naked eye... it's a life saver. Also, have been out there and see sulphurs covering the water but can't get an eat. Look through the binoculars and see 20x the amount in olives. You can watch the fish feed in between the sulphurs and eat the olives. Interesting way to go about things some days

Thanks, Kray. This is a great idea! Been there, felt the frustration.

TH814 uses 8x22. What do you use to see those small olives on overcast days when the light is low and olives like to hatch?

 

[tjsingle]

I haven't considered it before. But might be a cool thing to do while out on a drift boat, especially if anchored up.