For this final episode in the dry fly skills series, we work through some scenarios that anglers frequently encounter. Because, just like nymphing, fishing streamers and fishing wets, we fish dry flies for many different reasons and in many different ways.

We addressed some of this in episode one, and in this final episode, we complete the bookend by thinking about how things layout and going through some strategy and thought processes. Now that we’ve spent a good bit of time on leader design, fly selection, casting, building in slack, we consider these four scenarios:

Head Hunting
Fishing Terrestrials
Small Stream Stuff
Working a Hatch

My friend, Matt Grobe, joins me to put a cap on this Dry Fly Skills series.

Resources

READ: Troutbitten | Category | Dry Fly Fishing
READ: Troutbitten | Two Ways to Spat a Terrestrial Dry Fly
READ: Troutbitten | Twelve Small Stream Fly Casting Tips

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In the last couple of weeks we talked a lot about choosing the next fly, when to change, and what informs our decision about what to change to — basically, how do we develop that next theory about what fly, water type and presentation style we want to test.

Last week we talked about watching how trout are rising to naturals, how they are taking our fly or even how they’re rejecting it. That information goes a long way. It’s often the predominant factor for choosing an appropriate fly style — a low rider, an emerger or maybe one that rides high and rolls on the surface.

So when you fish long enough, you start to notice these kinds of details, and like anything else worth pursuing, you realize that there’s an endless world of data out there for you to pick up on. The trout are telling us a lot — even by not rising. We learn by not catching trout too. If you get a great presentation in a spot that you know holds trout, but no trout eats it . . . fair enough. And you start to consider the next adjustment.

It’s all a lot of fun when you realize that good fishing isn’t luck. It’s attention to detail with an open mind and a willingness to dive into the mystery.

This podcast is all about rise forms and hook sets.

My friend, Matt Grobe, joins me for this discussion.

Resources

READ: Troutbitten | Category | Dry Fly Fishing
PODCAST: Troutbitten | Set The Hook! All About Different Hook Sets
READ: Troutbitten | Hook Set Direction -- Downstream

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Here we are at the part of the season where we address everybody’s favorite question — what fly are you using?

We’ve argued for years that the leader is the most consequential element in the system — much more important than the fly. That said, the fly must be reasonable.

Most anglers are so focused on the flies because it’s the easiest thing to change. We’re quick to blame the pattern. And it’s a lot easier to clip off one fly and tie on another than to really break down your approach, your cast and your dead drift.

The better approach is to perfect those elements and then . . . maybe change the fly.

I carry a box of dry flies, just like I carry a box of streamers and a box of nymphs and wets. The flies matter. But more than anything, it’s about matching the moment, the water type, the lifecycle of the bug - and even the wind conditions. For us, those conditions -- those situations -- dictate our next fly choice. We don't guess on patterns. Instead, we think about things, develop a theory and test it with the next fly choice and (hopefully) a great presentation.

My friend, Matt Grobe, joins me for this discussion.


Resources

READ: Troutbitten | Category | Dry Fly Fishing
VIDEO: Troutbitten | The Perfect Parachute Ant
READ: Troutbitten | When Should You Change the Fly?

Visit

Troutbitten Website

Troutbitten Instagram

Troutbitten YouTube

Troutbitten Facebook

Thank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:

Skwala

and

Orvis