pocket water

[frogge]

Hey,
I feel confident reading water, but not certain how to approach the water I've read. Specifically, pocket water(edies behind rocks), how do I approach presenting a nymph into the pocket. I'm a timid wader(I run a lot of whitewater, but hate walking around in it). Do I have to get directly above the pocket, or can it be successfully fished from downstream and to the side. Thanks for any help,Frogge.

 

[podobed45]

Hey,
I feel confident reading water, but not certain how to approach the water I've read. Specifically, pocket water(edies behind rocks), how do I approach presenting a nymph into the pocket. I'm a timid wader(I run a lot of whitewater, but hate walking around in it). Do I have to get directly above the pocket, or can it be successfully fished from downstream and to the side. Thanks for any help,Frogge.

Good question. You can fish it successfully from anywhere imo *from above, below, and on the side*, as long as your presentation is on.

Personally *and i'm no know it all when it comes to fly fishing*, i like fishing them from an upstream location on an angle, letting a nymph float into and through the region I'm targeting behind rocks. I've had much success with that technique up on the BFB, where many fish end up stacked and schooled in those exact locations.

 

[Fly Ty R]

I usually fish pockets from the back or front quarter. Meaning fishing 45* upstream or downstream, off to the side. I don't like being directly behind or directly upstream of structure.

 

[The_Sib]

If the water is pretty "frothy", I think you can get close to the pockets
without unduly disturbing the feesh....

So, mostly, it doesn't matter.
Anyone else care to chime in????


Oh yeah,
I read something today that made an impression on me:

"the difference between a good day nymphing and a bad day is usually 'about' one split shot."

 

[McAwful]

Froggle,

I do allot of nymphing. The two best pieces of advice can give you are:

1. Read the water. Try and position yourself so you will not spook the fish and get the most effective drift. All pockets are better from one side or the other, upstream or down stream. Depending on the water speed, depth, structure, current breaks and location of the fish. If you see someone doing well in a pocket, take some notes and observe where they are. It will start to make sense.

2. Most important thing is to set your hook toward the downstream direction! If you set upstream you are pulling the fly out of the fishes mouth. Seems simple right? I see this one constantly. Correct it and watch your catch rate double.

Mca

 

[podobed45]

is that true mc? INTER-ESTING *mr burns hand movement*

 

[Fly Ty R]

Yes, that is very true. Same thing applies to a lot of other fish species, too. Set the hook against the way the fish is pointed, if you can. Your hook-up rate will skyrocket. In this case, most usually the trout is pointed upstream in pocket water, so a downstream strike will drive the hook home more often than an upstream strike.