OLD TIMER FLY FISHING WISDOM

Old Timer Fly Fishing Wisdom that Will Help You Catch More Fish

Photos Credit: Mark Jessop

The origins of fly fishing wisdom is as elusive as trying to pin down the wellspring from which a great trout river is born. Passed on from grandfather and fishing guide, or shared over the displays at your local fly shop, these sage proverbs are often short and sweet, but in them is born the weight of countless lifetimes on the water and fish in the net. To have these words shared with you by a seasoned angler is a gift, while applying this water-worn wisdom to your fly fishing game grants you the opportunity to grow into one of the fly fishing greats, as well. Heed now the tried and true wisdom of the fly fishing elders!

When the old timer fly fisher is asked, “What are they biting on? They respond, “A good presentation and drift.”

by Peter Stitcher

Of far greater importance than matching the hatch with the perfect fly pattern, if you want to catch more fish you should always be working on your fly presentation and drift. Focus on consistently placing your fly lightly on the water upstream and in line with your target feeding lane, with time for your nymphs to reach the feeding pocket on the bottom of the river. Don’t just accept sloppy casting and bad habits, but work on your cast with more seasoned anglers and practice in the yard between trips to the river.

Learn how and when to mend your fly line in order to extend a drag free drift, how to adjust the depth of your nymphs beneath a strike indicator to keep your flies tight to the bottom of the river, and how to “tight line/euro” nymph. It has been tried and proven that focusing on your presentation and drift will consistently produce more hook ups and fish in the net. “The difference between a good nymph fisher and a great nymph fisher is one more split shot.” The perennial mistake of many fly fishers is not using enough weight when nymphing and therefore drifting over the heads of feeding fish. The intent of adding weight to a nymphing rig is twofold:

@shyanneorvis

2561 Frying Pan Road, Basalt The Dallenbach Ranch

‣ Riverfront cabin rentals ‣ Weddings & special events ‣ Private Frying Pan access ‣ Minutes from downtown

Book Today!

210.336.2613 thedallenbachranch.com thedallenbachranch@gmail.com

1. Adding weight allows the angler to quickly drop their flies into the feeding zone along the bottom of the river where aquatic insects spend 99.9% of their lives, and where trout do the vast majority of their feeding.

2. When using adequate weight, the speed of your drift will be slowed as the split shot drags across the bottom of the river, in turn reducing the drift of your flies to the actual slower water speeds found on the bottom of the river.

When setting up your nymphing rig, and after you pinch on your split shot, pinch on another. Don’t be afraid to go heavy, and when you think you have enough weight, add a little more. Remember that the difference between a good nymph fisher and a great one is that one more split shot!

“90% of trout are caught in 10% of the river.” The vast majority of trout are found congregating in a small portion of the river. This concentration is due to several reasons:

1. Trout need to feel safe from predators, and to achieve this, they choose a position in the river where they have at least one foot of water over their heads, while remaining in close proximity to deeper waters and structure they can retreat to when startled.

2. Trout require shelter from the energy- sapping current of the river, and will either find this by holding in between the rocks on the bottom of the river, or behind an energy- diverting structure such as a boulder, log, or root wad. 3. Finally, trout need access to food, and they will position themselves adjacent to concentrated flows of food where they can duck in and out of the current as they pack on the calories.

With these criteria in mind, you can begin to approach the river with an economy of casts, understanding the limiting factors of where trout will hold, and selecting the optimal places in which to place your flies. Let these words of the fly fishers who have waded before us guide you to greater success this season, and many seasons to come!

About The Author

Peter Stitcher is an Aquatic Biologist and owner of Ascent Fly Fishing. Originator of the Biologist Crafted Fly Selection, Peter and his team build their clients’ fly selections specific to the bugs in the waters they fish, when they fish them. You can contact Peter or restock your fly box at: www.ascentflyfishing.com.

Island Acres 38339 US Hwy 50 Gunnison, CO 81230 970.641.1442

• Walking distance to the gold-medal waters of the Gunnison River • Near Blue Mesa Reservoir • Vintage charm and ambiance • Great outdoor space • Multiple room layouts • Fully stocked kitchens • Spacious boat parking, including free long-term for multiple stays