How Would You Fly Fish this situation?

[pmjasper]

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.

 

[Corndog]

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.

PM,

You got the right idea about your next trip. Every trip I fish a spot or two that I tell myself I will come back and fish differently next time I'm there. To quote Ben Franklin, "Experience is the best teacher." Over time you learn the best approaches to certain areas of a stream.

I prefer staying downstream from the fish I'm after and casting up to them. Especially in slow water. With this technique, I fish for the closest fish to me first and if I hook one I try to keep him from running up stream and spooking all the rest. If you fish a light leader and tippet and lay it softly on the water over the fish, they usually won't spook. Again, experience... Also, try to position yourself so you're casting at an angle up to the fish so your line doesn't land directly over their heads. Now, I'm fishing with drys and nymphs, this won't work with streamers and woolies.

The little stretch of the Paulinskill I told you about the other day I always fish downstream. I've learned from experience that that's the easiest way for me to fish it. In that area I usually drift nymphs downstream under an indicator.

On small streams I try to stay out of the water as much as possible. There's nothing worse than sending a titlewave up or downstream to the fish you're after.

Have you seen an oldtimer sitting on the bank smoking a pipe or just relaxing. What he's actually doing is reading the water and the fish, and letting things settle down. I had one guy tell me, "I'm letting the fish adjust to my presence." And just when I thought I had all the answers, this guy made me feel like a beginner. Note to self, get a pipe. lol

Cdog

 

[pmjasper]

Well patience has never been one of my strong points. Most of the trout fishing I have done has been faster paced, casting plugs or spinners through riffles and holes, catching active fish. While my fishing partners are content to sit in a hole for 30 minutes, I usually prefer to be way upstream or downstream by that point. I was lucky enough to catch one beautiful wild rainbow from a lake-like pool on a local WTS, but those fish were so difficult not to spook. I've noticed a couple more of these slow moving runs and pools and thus was wondering what the best way to approach them was. Thanks yet again CD. I really do appreciate the insight.

 

[Randyflycaster]

Good advice. I would try not to wade. If I had to be in the water I'd probably cast upstream - the fish won't see me - and make longer and longer casts so I don't have to wade.

Also, I'd make sure my shadow, and the shadow formed by my fly rod and my fly line don't spook the fish.

Finally, I'd make few, if any, false casts. I'd let the downstream current take my line, so when I make a forward cast the rod will load.

Randy Kadish

 

[pmjasper]

The wading part is the difficult factor. The brush (bushes, sticker bushes, etc.) on either side of the river is roughly 4 to 5 feet high and therefore, you really can't stay out of the stream. It is indeed a difficult situation where stealth is of the utmost importance.

 

[CR]

Sounds like you are describing the Pequannock in the Newark Watershed stretch between the reservoirs. It's probably best to fish upstream, especially if you cannot approach from either side because of the brush. Even better if you are a skilled enough caster to throw curves into your line.

 

[Corndog]

Good advice. I would try not to wade. If I had to be in the water I'd probably cast upstream - the fish won't see me - and make longer and longer casts so I don't have to wade.

Also, I'd make sure my shadow, and the shadow formed by my fly rod and my fly line don't spook the fish.

Finally, I'd make few, if any, false casts. I'd let the downstream current take my line, so when I make a forward cast the rod will load.

Randy Kadish

Dittos on the false casting. Plus that's the best way to end up in a tree or the bushes.

PM, looks like you're already doing what we all do. Trial and error. You've found a spot with fish, now keep returning until you figure it out.

Sometimes a shorter rod (6-7 1/2') works best on small streams with alot of brush.

Try letting your line drift downstream in the current then when it pulls tight do a sidearm lob up into the spot you want to fish. This eliminates the need for false casting and aids in staying under the overhanging trees and brush.

Cdog

 

[pmjasper]

CR...the Pequannock description is a good one, as it demonstrates what I'm talking about. Also sections of Van Campen's Brook have these long still-water pools that have nice trout but very wary as well. I wasn't sure if these was something I was missing about presentation or if difficult fish and conditions are just what they are.

BTW...I don't have a picture but the picture of the Pequannock in Matt Grobert's new book, Fly Fishing NJ Trout Streams, show a great depiction of the type of area I'm talking about

 

[CR]

I grew up fishing Van Campen's; lived about 15 minutes away. I would use a short rod (6-7 feet max) and use a lot of sidearm casts upstream. Throw curves so that most of your line lands on the bank, with just the leader and fly in the water. Or else go way upstream and let your fly float down to the fish by "throwing" loops of line onto the water. That one is a little tricky depending on current, but it also works well.

 

[pmjasper]

I did well at Van Campens but down near the picnic area there were a few successive pools, that were more like ponds, and the fish in them were fairly skiddish. The still water or barely moving type water is what I'm talking about.

 

[pmjasper]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ecosystems/05pa1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ecosystems/pa05.htm&h=291&w=400&sz=33&hl=en&start=14&um=1&tbnid=Tf9TnahrLQmaAM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=124&prev=

Sorry I don't know how to post pics but in the link attached you will see pools similar to what I'm talking about. In the first pic, there is obviously enough room to stay out of the water, cast and not spook the fish, but the water especially in the upper pool is slower moving and gives the trout plenty of opportunity to see you coming or feel the vibration of the fly line hitting the surface. In my situation the banks are much tighter and more intertwined with vegetation. The third pic is more of what I'm talking about, concentrating on the upper stretch above the small waterfall in the pic. It seems to have less current and is surrounded by vegetation on both sides. The only thing is imagine the vegetation was taller and more brushy than grassy and that is similar to the type of water I'm talking about. If I can get a pic in the next few weeks i will but for now this is the best I'm got.

 

[quality time]

A couple of things on this......I would suggest you check out a copy of Dave Hughes book, Fishing Small Streams. He spends a considerable amount of time talking about how he solved situations very similar to what you describe. Some of his techniques are mentioned in this thread.....long downstream presentations, landing the fly line on the bank, altering the plane of your cast, and even dapping through a hole in the brush.

I fish some smaller streams in western NJ and, frankly, more often than not spook the trout in this situation. On occasion, the sun and moon align and I fire off the perfect side arm back cast into a narrow hole in the brush that doesn't get snagged, and can subsequently land the fly in the feeding lane. This is very difficult and not often achieved, at least by me! I don't try this too often any more, as my tying time is too valuable to lose flies before they even land on the water.

Any way you look at it, though, this is commando style fishing. You will spend most time on your knees, and some time belly crawling. Watch your shadow, and stay out of the water as much as you can. Accept the fact that you will likely put down many more fish than you will catch. There is no solution that will turn the odds in your favor in these situations.....that's part of what makes it challenging to successfully fish small streams.

 

[pmjasper]

Thanks for the advice. I trying my best to explore some of the streams in and around Sussex County and learn as much as I can from the skilled fishermen on this site. Thanks again.

 

[The_Sib]

I second QT's suggestion on Dave Hughes' book.
I believe that the actual title is "Trout from Small Streams".

I would also suggest either of Joe Humphreys' books.
"Trout Tactics"
"On the Trout Stream with Joe Humphreys"

I do not have any of Joe's DVDs but hear many good things about them.

 

[BRK TRT]

What I do in some of the situations you speak of is to walk up stream of the area you want to fish and let the fly drift down with the current letting the line out as the fly drifts. The trout in these small streams are very cautious, but do have deer walking by and through the stream, as well as herons, raccoons, so even if they do spook its only for a few minutes and you can try again.

 

[ddawatson]

The Sib is right on target.

 

[rford]

I would not try and figure it out.

I would post the same question on as many fly fishing forums as possible and do what other people would do.

In fact a person with the exact same name as you has done so on several other sites. Perhaps those 30 or somewhat replies will help you.

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good luck!

ralph