fly 'action'

[kdecker]

I am still relatively new to the sport, and this weekend I was fishing a deep pool (relatively still water--lake like).

I realized very quickly that I really didnt know what to do with my fly once I cast out to near where I saw fish jumping. In a current, I would let the fly drift. Here, I was unsure (I was using an Iso) what to do once the fly was presented. Pull it back to me? recast?

Any good tips for a book or view to learn more about this?

Thanks!
K

 

[eddavidson9]

in general...experiment.

dries and retrieves/action don't often go together, but there are situations (caddis, stoneflies) where skittering a fly across the surface can be really effective.

a slow retreive on a wet/soft-hackle in slow water can be very good.

lots of ways to try and solve this problem. or, you could just find moving water.

 

[irish1]

Look around at what the other bugs are doing then try that. Hoppers move then stop, move then stop. Mice all swim very slowly. Dragon flys just tap the surface. Beetles and ants don't move so well. And lots of things I got no idea as to what they are just sit there.

I like fishing hopper patterns and do the move/pause route.

Sub surface I also do the move/pause with the pause taking a littel longer to allow the fly to fall deeper.

But most of all follow eddavidson9's advise, experiment. If one way doesn't work move faster/slower, deep/shallow, bigger/smaller, or just a change of color will be the trigger needed.

Also remember deep water and lakes have some current as well as the wind will move things on the surface so even if you are sub-surface if you are using floating line the fly will move somewhat.

 

[NJpatbee]

I would recommend Len Wright's 2 books on the topic - "Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect" and "Fly Fishing Heresies". He concentrates on fishing streams but describes his success "pounding up" trout from slow pools with his fluttering caddis technique. I have had success with his method in all types of conditions on streams and it typically accounts for the majority of my trout caught on dry flies.

 

[redietz]

I would recommend Len Wright's 2 books on the topic - "Fishing the Dry Fly as a Living Insect" and "Fly Fishing Heresies". He concentrates on fishing streams but describes his success "pounding up" trout from slow pools with his fluttering caddis technique. I have had success with his method in all types of conditions on streams and it typically accounts for the majority of my trout caught on dry flies.

Those two books really opened my eyes about 30 years ago. If it's the wrong technique for the fly, and it catches fish, it isn't wrong.

 

[kdecker]

Wow! Thanks for the terrific advice! I am reading 'Prospecting for Trout' right now. Once that is done, I have my next two books! :thumb: