Baitfish color change?

[gregorjim]

We did very good with silverside flies at Westerly R.I. this Oct...I did bring lots of silverside patterns ,& lucky to have plenty of Olive backed ones ..We ended cutting most down to 1 1/2- 2" to match the bait on shore..They would'nt touch anything but the olive ones..Was wondering if these Silversides change shades at all, or just tie the olive shades..I'm planning on tying them in larger sizes & cutting down to match the bait at the arrival time..What is the largest that silversides grow.Will be there june & Oct...?Any ideas?...Thanks, Jim

[M. saxatilis]

Maximum adult size attainable for Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia is 12.7cm (5in).

 

I know that fish may change colors in response to changes in biotic and abiotic conditions. For example, the American Sand Lance Ammodytes americanus or as it is more affectionately known as, the sand eel, appears in a variety of hues depending upon the substrate that it resides in/over. From a tan almost translucent appearance when in/over sandy, silicon dioxide dominated substrates, to olive, or bluish green when in/over rocky or shell dominated substrates.

 

Additionally, turbidity and light transmission may also play a factor in the present coloration of a fish. Using the sand eel from the preceding example, on a sunny day in clear water, this prey species may be swimming near the surface, high in the water column to take full advantage of it's natural white underside, it's countershading, to aid it in predator avoidance. The profile of the sand eel is greatly reduced when back lit by the sun and does not stand out as much when existing under these conditions. In such conditions, the fish may again favor a more translucent appearance, becoming lighter in tone, to aid in predator avoidance and detection. The opposite holds true for dark, overcast days where the fish may move along the bottom, preferring to take advantage of the low light conditions, darker coloration on it's dorsal surface. Of course there may be ever shade in between along this continuum.

 

So, the short answer to your question IMO is, Yes, silversides may appear to exhibit subtle variations in color from what we are most accustomed to.

 

Then again, the fish might have just wanted something different...

[Saxatilus]

Nothing beats a sparsley tied Ray's fly for imitating the silverside, and it was created right here in little rhody. It is a killer fly, the more it gets chewed up the better it catches. Alot of guys complain about the fly fouling, and it does, but it's ability to catch when nothing else will, far out ways the small inconvience of checking your flies every few casts. I tie em from 3/4" to 6" and always start out with three of different sizes. Once I figure out the size they are keying on, I always fish a pair. Give em a try, I promise you won't be disappointed.