Posted by Jim E (69.92.166.54) on December 02, 2004 at 16:19:37:
Working your way down
Increase your chances of catching fish by working your way down, down the water column. When you first approach a new section of water, assess the situation. If things tell you that a dry fly would work, start with that. Even if you think there is a slight possibility of a dry working (and you are interested in fishing dries), try it first. Casting anything else first could lesson or even ruin your chances of catching a fish on a dry. So working your way down deeper into the water column makes sense, starting from the top.
A fish that might be focused on surface feeding can be easily spooked. Starting first with a nymphing rig here would defiantly alert the fish because of an unnatural strike indicator drifting over its head. A streamer slapping down on the surface could end in the same result. Casting a dry to these fish would be more of what they are looking for therefore giving you more of a chance of hooking up. Only after exhausting the dry fly possibility would you want to proceed in working deeper into the water column, i.e.,emergers, wets, nymphs etc.
I used to have a bigger wiley ol’ brown located on spillway creek. The only way I could ever get him to move is to drift an appropriate dry over him. Starting with anything else would end in no bananas. And going back to try a dry last didn’t ripen the bananas any. He knew I was there after seeing any of my underwater offerings and then wouldn’t budge on a dry.
So my tip is, when you’re standing at the water’s edge trying to decide what to tie on first, think a dry fly. Sure if there are other indicators that you observe telling you to try a streamer, nymph or etc. DO IT !!! But when the fly box is open and your scratching your head, start with a surface presentation first, then work your way down the water column until you hit “pay dirt”. It’s the best way to start eliminating the unproductive, non-fish holding/biting water.
Thanks for reading and comment as you like.
Jim Enns <*;))))))))))><