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~Fly Fishing for Smoky Mountain Brookie's
Tactics for Fly Fishing Mountain Streams
-Michael C. Lambert
Small stream fly fishing offers the angler a unique and rewarding experience. Most are cascading mountain streams generally flowing through pristine wilderness, alive with eager trout waiting to take your fly. Although the nature of this is inviting and sounds easy, there are some challenges when fly fishing small streams. Over hanging branches make traditional casting methods almost out of the question. With not much room for a back cast and low casting height you will be forced to cast with care. The terrain around these streams tends to be a little rough as well, with some waters having large boulders littering your path. To make matters worse, the water is usually extremely clear giving the trout an advantage. Trout are skittish, especially wild trout.
If you are an unfamiliar angler, you are probably reading this and having second thoughts about fishing small streams. Don't worry...Accept the challenge, you will be rewarded in several ways. Many mistakes will be made, and many lessons will be learned. Being up close and personal with the stream, you will learn a lot about fish and fishing. There are many fundamentals in fly fishing, and no better place to learn them.
Whether you are a beginning angler or a seasoned fly fisherman, there are a few rules to follow in order to successfully put fish in the net.
Rule One, Stealth.
Try to keep a low profile while approaching and fishing streams. Avoid wearing bright colored clothing and try to avoid casting a shadow on the water. Approach a likely 'haunt' with caution, watching for feeding trout in the tails of pools. Wild trout especially, are skittish and will seek cover and remain there not willing to budge, not even for an easy meal for quite some time. Try using the terrain for cover, cast from behind cover like rocks or such if you can. As well, try to avoid disturbing the water are about to cast into. If you must wade in the water do so slowly and with care. Fish can easily sense something in the water. Be invisible.
Rule Two, Work the hole.
Set yourself up to fish with the water. Avoid casting if possible where mending will be difficult. Remember you are looking for a good drift throughout the pool. Start at the end of the pool and work you way to the head. Be prepared with every cast as sometimes trout are lying in unlikely spots. A feeding trout will cross an entire pool for an appealing meal.
Rule Three, be Patient.
Don't rush the cast, observe the pool for a few moments before you cast. Look for fish, seams and just study the water. Observe how the water is flowing and look for the likely feeding spot. When casting make it count. Try not to lay the line down over feeding trout. Remember, a bad cast with a good presentation is better than a great cast with bad presentation. Let the fly drift, finicky trout will sometimes wait to the last part of a pool to strike. Don't get discouraged if you happen to miss a strike, just wait a moment, let the fish settle back in to it's lair and present the fly again. This time you know his locale.
Although, there are many other factors in becoming a successful small stream fisherman, following these rules will definitely up the odds of putting fish in the net. Many seasoned stream fisherman adhere to these rules and have learned many a lesson the hard way. Some...hopefully you as well, learned from the mistakes of others and listened to their advice.
If you find yourself getting discouraged, look around at the wilderness that surrounds you and listen to the water at your feet. That should remind you of why you are there.
Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut."
Tactics for Fly Fishing Mountain Streams
-Michael C. Lambert
Small stream fly fishing offers the angler a unique and rewarding experience. Most are cascading mountain streams generally flowing through pristine wilderness, alive with eager trout waiting to take your fly. Although the nature of this is inviting and sounds easy, there are some challenges when fly fishing small streams. Over hanging branches make traditional casting methods almost out of the question. With not much room for a back cast and low casting height you will be forced to cast with care. The terrain around these streams tends to be a little rough as well, with some waters having large boulders littering your path. To make matters worse, the water is usually extremely clear giving the trout an advantage. Trout are skittish, especially wild trout.
If you are an unfamiliar angler, you are probably reading this and having second thoughts about fishing small streams. Don't worry...Accept the challenge, you will be rewarded in several ways. Many mistakes will be made, and many lessons will be learned. Being up close and personal with the stream, you will learn a lot about fish and fishing. There are many fundamentals in fly fishing, and no better place to learn them.
Whether you are a beginning angler or a seasoned fly fisherman, there are a few rules to follow in order to successfully put fish in the net.
Rule One, Stealth.
Try to keep a low profile while approaching and fishing streams. Avoid wearing bright colored clothing and try to avoid casting a shadow on the water. Approach a likely 'haunt' with caution, watching for feeding trout in the tails of pools. Wild trout especially, are skittish and will seek cover and remain there not willing to budge, not even for an easy meal for quite some time. Try using the terrain for cover, cast from behind cover like rocks or such if you can. As well, try to avoid disturbing the water are about to cast into. If you must wade in the water do so slowly and with care. Fish can easily sense something in the water. Be invisible.
Rule Two, Work the hole.
Set yourself up to fish with the water. Avoid casting if possible where mending will be difficult. Remember you are looking for a good drift throughout the pool. Start at the end of the pool and work you way to the head. Be prepared with every cast as sometimes trout are lying in unlikely spots. A feeding trout will cross an entire pool for an appealing meal.
Rule Three, be Patient.
Don't rush the cast, observe the pool for a few moments before you cast. Look for fish, seams and just study the water. Observe how the water is flowing and look for the likely feeding spot. When casting make it count. Try not to lay the line down over feeding trout. Remember, a bad cast with a good presentation is better than a great cast with bad presentation. Let the fly drift, finicky trout will sometimes wait to the last part of a pool to strike. Don't get discouraged if you happen to miss a strike, just wait a moment, let the fish settle back in to it's lair and present the fly again. This time you know his locale.
Although, there are many other factors in becoming a successful small stream fisherman, following these rules will definitely up the odds of putting fish in the net. Many seasoned stream fisherman adhere to these rules and have learned many a lesson the hard way. Some...hopefully you as well, learned from the mistakes of others and listened to their advice.
If you find yourself getting discouraged, look around at the wilderness that surrounds you and listen to the water at your feet. That should remind you of why you are there.
Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut."
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