You are fishing a relatively small freestone stream that contains small stretches of pocket water and runs along with some larger, slow moving runs and pools (similar to still water) that contain wary streambred fish. Now while you occasionally pick up a fish or two in the riffle/run areas, the greatest concentration of fish seem to be in the slow moving runs/pools, aproximately 3 to 4 ft deep, and 15 to 20 yards long. The vegetation on either side of the slower moving runs is high and intertwined, making approaching from the either side of the run impossible. Trying to lay out a cast or slowly work your way up the run seems to put the fish on edge and almost spooks them before you get a change to even make a cast. Thus, is there a way to fly fish this type of area without spooking every fish in it?
The only thing I can see is perhaps fish in a downstream manner, making short casts, allowing the fly to approach the fish first instead of the line? But of coarse when working your way upstream and having no way to get out of the water and walk around the pool, would make this technique useless, except on the next trip, when you know where the slow moving runs are. I know with spinning gear I could make a long cast with light line and possibly get a few fish before spooking them all but it there a way to effectively fly fish this type of water? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
The only thing I can see is perhaps fish in a downstream manner, making short casts, allowing the fly to approach the fish first instead of the line? But of coarse when working your way upstream and having no way to get out of the water and walk around the pool, would make this technique useless, except on the next trip, when you know where the slow moving runs are. I know with spinning gear I could make a long cast with light line and possibly get a few fish before spooking them all but it there a way to effectively fly fish this type of water? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.