What "Exactly" is a "searching pattern"?

[redietz]

Absolutely!
When I first started fly fishing I never heard the term "searching pattern". I heard "Attractors" a lot. Now, it seems the term "searching pattern" has taken over.

I wonder if it's regional? When did you start fly fishing? I've heard "searching pattern" since I started in the early 60's. It may also be a function of which magazines you read, and what the editor of those preferred.