2. Adaptive Angler Background

What is Adaptation?

Adaptation may be the most important process in nature. All living things experience change and need to make adjustments to new conditions, or they will be replaced by other, similar organisms that become more effective or efficient in their niche. This book shows you how to reduce the uncertainty under new and different fishing conditions, to become a better angler.

Change is the most prevalent factor in fishing. We find great locations and magic lures, but hours, days, months, or years later, it is all changed. Adaptive anglers cope by making adjustments that lead to constant improvement in their craft. Change becomes an opportunity for fishing innovators to succeed in an unpredictable aquatic world.
What is adaptive fishing?

Adaptive fishing uses scientific information tempered by experience to create knowledge, reduce uncertainty in decision making, and strengthen angler skills. Anglers are fishing adaptively when they incorporate learning at every skill level. Adaptive anglers also look inside themselves, to remove or reduce behavioral barriers to fishing success. Adaptable anglers make better fishing decisions than those who resist change or try to avoid it.

Overcoming Physical Barriers to Fishing

Readers should be aware that adaptive fishing is a term currently used by anglers with unique physical challenges that may present barriers to their enjoyment of fishing. These challenges are overcome using a range of innovative adaptations designed to reduce or eliminate a physical barrier. For example, a child who has lost a hand may be fitted with a mechanical hand or device to help them hold the rod and enjoy the excitement of playing a fish.

Overcoming barriers is intrinsic to adaptation, whether they are mental challenges to anglers stuck in old habits or a child not being able to enjoy fishing because of a physical handicap. The Adaptive Angler recognizes the good work done by innovators who volunteer their time and skills to ensure that people with special challenges get to enjoy fishing. Adaptive fishing in the context of the book is also designed to reduce or remove behavioral and knowledge barriers to becoming a better angler.