Fly Fishing Tips and Tactics
Summer Smallies
A lack of rain had the river low. Navigating the rock maze was a challenge but was yielding summer smallies or smallmouth bass. We were floating for smallmouth bass. Unlike trout, smallies can tolerate warmer water. They are classified as cool-water fish, not cold-water like trout. Freestone rivers, with all the shoals and rocks are a perfect habitat for smallies.
Reading the Water
Reading the water is not only determining where the trout are, but analyzing a trout's location relative to the currents to find the best possible location to make a presentation. Sometimes anglers need to guess the location of trout since they are not showing themselves. Other times, one can see the trout or see where it rose. Either way, you still need to determine where to stand. Are you standing in the best location to do to cast from?
Line Management
Everyone has one of those days when fish come up to look at the fly and then swim away without taking it. Sometimes they get so close it seems like they can taste the flies a fake. Well, the truth is they can’t and usually the problem is with the drift rather than the fly. Anytime you have a trout swimming up to look at a fly, they probably want to eat it. But it didn’t behave like a natural insect what to you do?
Why Wet Fly Fishing Works
Wet fly fishing is an older technique but is still effective. Why does it work? Find out more in this article.
Pro Tip: Wet Flies and Equipment
It’s a fine day for wet fly fishing. The trout are in the riffles, bugs are soon to be hatching. What could be better? Well getting your equipment ready for wet fly fishing will make it better. Here I will present information on equipment preparation and selection including rigging.
