I think fish get a pretty good look at wet flies, of all types and sizes. For dry flies I'm not so sure. I fished the Yellowstone last week. I spaced out and didn't bring my foam salmonfly and foam hopper box. Ticked me off big time. I ended up using a pink round foam bobber and various nymphs. I had at least a half a dozen hits on the pink bobber. I've heard stories about (evil) smokers throwing butts in the water, only to have a fish quickly bite and reject the drifting butt filter.
Spring creeks are one thing. But in a freestone river context I don't think they see much more than a characteristic dimple and vague size and fuzzy shape impression in the surface film. They might get some color impression too. But it's not clear how much it matters. The lack of rigorous, organized scientific observation in fishing is one of its best parts. No? The bent rod matters most.
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