‘The French expression for twilight, ‘entre chien et loup’ translates literally to ‘between dog and wolf’, describing the time of day when the limited light makes it difficult to distinguish between the two, difficult to tell the difference between friend and foe, between the benign and the dangerous’
The time between sunset and darkness, as the evening closes its eyes, is a special time. Dusk brings with it the promise of moonlight, the colours of day steadily fade to grey as day slowly migrates into night; light increasingly drains away, shadows fade but darkness has not yet taken control.
No characteristic of dusk is exact. Surroundings and our thoughtsgently lose their focus and blur at their edges. Our sense of hearing heightens, bringing with it degrees of apprehension and fear. Our minds and imaginations are increasingly concerned about each snapping twig, every rustling leaf, not to mention distant animal cries. Scenes that earlier displayed vibrant colours now take on the appearance of old black-and-white photographs; clarity is replaced with mystery, the familiar becomes wild. The journey from sunset to starlight can be a rollercoaster for the senses, with confident sightings replaced by optical illusion, questions and doubt. Water eventually mirrors the moon as fields, trees and hedgerows hide their colours until sunrise will once again reveal their wondrous hues and shades.
Victor Hugo once described twilight as ‘tranquillity shot through with sorrow’. It is fair to say that light can directly affect mood and feeling but to many this is a time of utmost, heavenly calm, when skies can be painted with infinite beauty; an uplifting, memorable gift presented bythe day that is ending.
The soft tones of twilight can frequently bring their own aspects of life as we and the natural world slowly but surely turn the page to another day. Some seek their place of rest, whilst others are stirring, waking from their daytime sleep and beginning their nightly ventures.Birds enjoy the last light before roosting, individuals singing goodnight to each other as the stars begin to wish them sweet dreams.Spectacular murmurations of starlings can mesmerize as they display their astonishing agility en masse. Swallows make their last swoop over a lake whilst bats start to take their place overhead, pursuing their next meal on the wing.
Evening primroses release their scent as the sun goes down. Other plants such as jasmine and honeysuckle are also pollinated by nocturnal moths and beetles. Hedgehogs, mice and voles scamper and scurry, shuffle and snuffle in the undergrowth. Foxes and badgers have their tried and trusted routes to follow on their nightly search for sustenance, not just for themselves but for their families. The less common Lampyris Noctiluca, the only British ‘glow worm’, begins to show off. These are actually beetles, with only the wingless female capable of glowing brightly as darkness ensues. As the temperature is poised between hot and cold, it can be aperfect time for snakes to unwind themselves into activity and for clouds of midges and other small insects to torment anyone brave enough to be in their domain.
Twilight – the soft glowing light across the sky when the sun is below the horizon
Dusk – the darker stage of twilight
Angling through dusk into darkness can have the potential to unlock secrets otherwise untold. Ever-decreasing light levels help shy fish to leave the safety of their daytime lair and search more openly for food. Wily, old, experienced fish, normally out of reach, can begin to show themselves under cover of fading light, their sense of smell becoming their superpower as they forage for any tasty morsels as the light slowly dwindles and ultimately evaporates to dark.
Dusk can also mean ‘advantage angler’ as low light helps to disguise terminal tackle,making it less likely to arouse suspicion.
At this time fish can feel less vulnerable to both terrestrial predators and fish-eating birds. Their increased activity often prompts them to venture into shallower waters, with predatory fish sometimes taking advantage of this to ambush their prey.
“Night is falling: at dusk, you must have good eyesight to be able to tell the Good Lord from the Devil.” Jean-Paul Sartre
Whilst calm summer evenings, spectacular sunsets, atmospheric twilight and memorable fish are always the desirables, reality can often be more challenging as the weather and time of year all play their part.
The ‘witching hour’ occurs earlier during autumn and winter but, at any time of year, it is not without complication for the angler as the practicalities and intricacies of our art bring their own difficulties. Tying knots becomes increasingly difficult as darkness falls.
The angler’s mind knows exactly what to do but struggling eyes have other plans for the loops and twists in the line, as precision and detail slowly dissolve in the ever-decreasing light. Many would swear the eyes of hooks have gradually reduced in diameter before their very eyes. Hooking baits such as corn or luncheon meat can be ‘felt’ by experienced hands and present no concern but baits that have lives of their own such as worms or maggots can be more challenging as darkness descends.
Preparation can be the key to maximizing the chance of success. Whenever possible, choice of swim and setting up of tackle can be done ahead of the lower light. It goes without saying that familiarity with the immediate surrounding area, any overhanging trees and possible snags can only help once daylight begins to fade. Avoidance of fumbling and stumbling is the aim.
The degree of stealth required will be dictated by the proximity of the swim. With fish possibly only active for a short period of time, whatever the time of year or weather conditions, it certainly pays to be fully prepared.
Some opt for the convenience of a head-torch but operating in something close to darkness can bring out the ‘boy scout’ in many an intrepid, fiercely independent angler. Not for them the use of torches or ‘glow-in-the-dark’ attachments for rod-tips. The risk of giving away their presence and position is just too high on some intimate rivers and we all know that any light source can, of course, easily spook fish.
The time honoured holding of their line provides sufficient indication of any interest from the murky depths. Instinct will tell them when any light plucks become something more positive. Knowing when to strike is as important a judgement as changing gear whilst driving; it becomes natural and often needs no thought or concentration.
If conditions, location and timing combine, if the stars of the night sky align for the angler, then pursuing his quarry into the night has the potential to be an exceptional experience.
The French expression for twilight, ‘entre chien et loup’ translates literally to ‘between dog and wolf’, describing the time of day when the limited light makes it difficult to distinguish between the two, difficult to tell the difference between friend and foe, between the benign and the dangerous.
Known to some as the gloaming, eventide, sunfall, moonrise, crepusculum (Latin), crepuscule (French) or crepuscolo (Italian/Spanish), the dimming of the day can indeed bring a mix of wonder and trepidation, sometimes in equal measure.
Writing & Images Carl Hier, Spring 2025
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