Fly Fishing for Trout

Fly fishing for trout offers some unique challenges. When the cloudy hues of early springtime begin to change and trout country gradually dons it cloak of green, trout waters return to normal height and clarity. This is the time when the fly fisherman comes into his own.

This is the finest period of the trout fishing year. It's the in-between time; the time when waters are not overly high or murky, or not too low and crystal clear. Trout are actively feeding as water temperatures begin to rise, and insect hatching is commonplace. Spring "peepers" sing near every waterway; spring flowers are bursting into bloom; while the doe deer seeks a secluded forest sanctuary to give birth to her young.

While insect life makes up a great portion of a trout's diet, the great majority of it comes from beneath the water's surface. Only at optimum times, when "hatches" appear on the surface, do trout actively feed topside. Since this is readily discernible, trout anglers are well aware at this point that dry flies are the order of the day.

Sure, trout can also be taken on dry flies when they are not surface feeding by endless, patient, and perfect casting over "fishy" parcels of water. This 'blind fishing' requires patience, but trout can literally be 'pounded' to the surface at times, via this method.

But when trout are not freely rising to surface insects, or you choose to not make hundreds of casts trying to "pound" a fish to the surface dry fly, what flies and types of flies should then be used?

Wet Fly Brace Technique

During this peak fly fishing period, when trout are not surface feeding, one of the most effective fish catching combinations is a "brace" of wet flies. When fishing this method, tie a 'bright' or flashy pattern like a Wickham's or Campbells Fancy to a short dropper loop attached to your 7-1/2 foot leader approximately 2-1/2 to 3 feet from the tip. For the tip fly, add a dun-colored pattern such as the March Brown, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, or Leadwing Coachman. The theory is that a trout will be attracted to the brightly-colored dropper fly and will drop back and strike the tip or more natural appearing fly.

Another sub-surface combination that works well is the use of both a wet fly and a streamer or bucktail fly. Tie the wet fly to the dropper loop and fasten the streamer or bucktail to the tippet. This presentation is made to imitate a small baitfish chasing after an insect. Here, too, the tip fly becomes the most productive. Experiment with different fly combinations until you find a combo-pattern that works.

The clarity of the water will also give you a hint as to the size of fly to be used. As a rule of thumb, the clearer the water, the smaller the fly, and of course, the finer the leader.

A pair of bucktail or streamer flies can also be used with excellent results. Utilize them in the same way we discussed the wet fly cast, by tying a flashy attractor pattern to the dropper and a more natural appearing streamer to the tip. A nymph and wet fly can be utilized in the same manner, with the nymph as the tip fly.

Just remember, low water angling requires delicate presentations and finesse. Try these tecnniques the next time your afield and I think you'll be very pleased with the results.