Dry Flies
Several methods can be used to fish a dry fly. Dead drifting, skating, and twitching are probably the more popular methods employed when manipulating dries.
Casting upstream and using the current to drift the fly downstream is called dead drifting. This means that the fly is floating at the same speed as the water and anything else that happens to be drifting down the stream on the surface. This is avery effective method to deliver spinner and dun patterns to unsuspecting trout cautiously sipping flies from the surface, and it appears most natural to the fish when drifted in this manner. To keep the fly drifting at the appropriate speed, you'll probably have to mend the line a little. To do this, gently 'flick' your line upstream, to halt any drag created by the current grabbing the line and pulling it downstream faster than the current is moving. This will be necessary particularly when fishing with long casts over several areas where the current may be travelling at an inconsistent speed from one point of the river to the other. You may also want to try twitching the fly as it drifts downstream. This will often result in strikes from otherwise lazy fish that may not notice your fly as it drifts downstream motionless. In performing long casts with tiny flies, it will become increasingly harder to see your fly as it drifts. Try to notice where the fly is, based on where the end of your fly line is and where you expect your fly to be. Use the foam or other debris floating with the current to judge the speed at which your offering is drifting at and try to match that speed.
During your time on the water, you'll probably come to notice flies skittering and bouncing on the surface of the water. This can be a result of different habits of the different species of fly you'll encounter on the stream. This can be imitated by presenting your fly in such a manner that it is skating across the surface. To do this, position yourself upstream of the fish so that you are able to cast downstream towards him. Cast on a slight downstream angle towards the far bank to measure your line and allow the fly to drift downstream while the current pulls it towards you. Once the line is directly downstream of you, gently pick up the line and repeat the cast. This time, as the fly touches down on the water, simultaneously lift your rod tip high in the air to prevent most of your leader and all of your fly line from hitting the water. Now, as the fly begins its drift downstream, follow it with your rod tip held high, keeping a gentle sort of tension on the fly. The effect you are seeking here is to have your fly bounce and skate across the surface of the water as it is pulled downstream and towards you, eventually ending at a point directly downstream of where you are standing. Once the fly has reached the point where it is downstream of you, DON'T be too quick in lifting your line and casting again. Keep the fly in this position bouncing and twitching for several seconds or more before repeating the cast. Always raise your line gently as it will be sitting right above suspected fish, and the loud splash or pop that is created by lifting your fly too quickly will spook them and put them down for a while.
The Elk Hair Caddis - Originator ~ Al Toth
Elk Hair Caddis patterns are high floating, high visibility patterns. Great for novice fly folk because they are so easily seen on the surface, even at great distances. Tie these flies in the colours and sizes that reflect their natural counterparts.
Elk Hair Caddis
Hook: dry fly #12 -#24
Thread: uni camel 6/0
Wing: Elk Hair
Hackle: short cock
Body: dry fly dubbing
Tail: none
Nymphs
Below the waters surface is a world like no other. Minnows, leeches and other creatures lurk about, hoping they are not being watched by a big trout. What we are concerned with here however is not a minnow or a leech, but larvae, pupae and nymphs. Streams abound with these pre-flight creatures year round, so its not all that surprising that the diet of a trout consists of some 70-80% nymphs taken below the surface. With different species, different water conditions and water quality, it can seem quite daunting at first to look below the surface for some great action....year round to boot!
I'll start with a method that is referred to as 'High-stick nymphing'. Just like the name sounds, the method employs the technique of keeping your rod tip high in the air while drifting your nymph through likely lies. The method requires that you keep as little of your fly line on the waters surface as possible, and preferably none at all will touch the waters surface.
The length of your leader should reflect the depth of the area you are fishing. I prefer to use weighted nymphs before using weight added to the line. I find that adding a couple of shots to your line will take away from the subtle takes usually observed with this type of fishing. Once you've found the section of river you are going to tackle, position yourself downstream of the drift your are attempting. Strip out just enough line to cover the water you are drifting, and gently flip your nymph upstream.
As the fly lands and sinks, gently lift your rod tip to remove any slack between yourself and the fly, taking care to keep your fly line out of and off of the water. Now, move your rod tip downstream at the same speed that your nymph and the current are travelling. As the nymph drifts downstream, it will bounce along the rocks and other debris that sit below the water surface. If you see a slight pause or anything abnormal happening with the line, give a gentle snap with your rod to set the hook. Eventually, with enough practice, you'll know just when its a trout mouthing your offering, or your nymph hanging up on the bottom of the river.
The Bead Head Nymph Wanna High Stick it??
Chocolate Bunny
Hook: wet fly #8 -#16
Thread: uni camel 6/0
Wing Case: turkey feather segment
Body: hares ear (plus) dubbing
Ribb: wire (gold, brass, silver, etc.)
Tail: squirrel tail
The bead head nymph is a pattern that consistently takes fish year round. Flies should be tied in colours and sizes that reflect the species you are imitating.
For more recipes and photos of great fly fishing flies, visit link
Good Luck!
Several methods can be used to fish a dry fly. Dead drifting, skating, and twitching are probably the more popular methods employed when manipulating dries.
Casting upstream and using the current to drift the fly downstream is called dead drifting. This means that the fly is floating at the same speed as the water and anything else that happens to be drifting down the stream on the surface. This is avery effective method to deliver spinner and dun patterns to unsuspecting trout cautiously sipping flies from the surface, and it appears most natural to the fish when drifted in this manner. To keep the fly drifting at the appropriate speed, you'll probably have to mend the line a little. To do this, gently 'flick' your line upstream, to halt any drag created by the current grabbing the line and pulling it downstream faster than the current is moving. This will be necessary particularly when fishing with long casts over several areas where the current may be travelling at an inconsistent speed from one point of the river to the other. You may also want to try twitching the fly as it drifts downstream. This will often result in strikes from otherwise lazy fish that may not notice your fly as it drifts downstream motionless. In performing long casts with tiny flies, it will become increasingly harder to see your fly as it drifts. Try to notice where the fly is, based on where the end of your fly line is and where you expect your fly to be. Use the foam or other debris floating with the current to judge the speed at which your offering is drifting at and try to match that speed.
During your time on the water, you'll probably come to notice flies skittering and bouncing on the surface of the water. This can be a result of different habits of the different species of fly you'll encounter on the stream. This can be imitated by presenting your fly in such a manner that it is skating across the surface. To do this, position yourself upstream of the fish so that you are able to cast downstream towards him. Cast on a slight downstream angle towards the far bank to measure your line and allow the fly to drift downstream while the current pulls it towards you. Once the line is directly downstream of you, gently pick up the line and repeat the cast. This time, as the fly touches down on the water, simultaneously lift your rod tip high in the air to prevent most of your leader and all of your fly line from hitting the water. Now, as the fly begins its drift downstream, follow it with your rod tip held high, keeping a gentle sort of tension on the fly. The effect you are seeking here is to have your fly bounce and skate across the surface of the water as it is pulled downstream and towards you, eventually ending at a point directly downstream of where you are standing. Once the fly has reached the point where it is downstream of you, DON'T be too quick in lifting your line and casting again. Keep the fly in this position bouncing and twitching for several seconds or more before repeating the cast. Always raise your line gently as it will be sitting right above suspected fish, and the loud splash or pop that is created by lifting your fly too quickly will spook them and put them down for a while.
The Elk Hair Caddis - Originator ~ Al Toth
Elk Hair Caddis patterns are high floating, high visibility patterns. Great for novice fly folk because they are so easily seen on the surface, even at great distances. Tie these flies in the colours and sizes that reflect their natural counterparts.
Elk Hair Caddis
Hook: dry fly #12 -#24
Thread: uni camel 6/0
Wing: Elk Hair
Hackle: short cock
Body: dry fly dubbing
Tail: none
Nymphs
Below the waters surface is a world like no other. Minnows, leeches and other creatures lurk about, hoping they are not being watched by a big trout. What we are concerned with here however is not a minnow or a leech, but larvae, pupae and nymphs. Streams abound with these pre-flight creatures year round, so its not all that surprising that the diet of a trout consists of some 70-80% nymphs taken below the surface. With different species, different water conditions and water quality, it can seem quite daunting at first to look below the surface for some great action....year round to boot!
I'll start with a method that is referred to as 'High-stick nymphing'. Just like the name sounds, the method employs the technique of keeping your rod tip high in the air while drifting your nymph through likely lies. The method requires that you keep as little of your fly line on the waters surface as possible, and preferably none at all will touch the waters surface.
The length of your leader should reflect the depth of the area you are fishing. I prefer to use weighted nymphs before using weight added to the line. I find that adding a couple of shots to your line will take away from the subtle takes usually observed with this type of fishing. Once you've found the section of river you are going to tackle, position yourself downstream of the drift your are attempting. Strip out just enough line to cover the water you are drifting, and gently flip your nymph upstream.
As the fly lands and sinks, gently lift your rod tip to remove any slack between yourself and the fly, taking care to keep your fly line out of and off of the water. Now, move your rod tip downstream at the same speed that your nymph and the current are travelling. As the nymph drifts downstream, it will bounce along the rocks and other debris that sit below the water surface. If you see a slight pause or anything abnormal happening with the line, give a gentle snap with your rod to set the hook. Eventually, with enough practice, you'll know just when its a trout mouthing your offering, or your nymph hanging up on the bottom of the river.
The Bead Head Nymph Wanna High Stick it??
Chocolate Bunny
Hook: wet fly #8 -#16
Thread: uni camel 6/0
Wing Case: turkey feather segment
Body: hares ear (plus) dubbing
Ribb: wire (gold, brass, silver, etc.)
Tail: squirrel tail
The bead head nymph is a pattern that consistently takes fish year round. Flies should be tied in colours and sizes that reflect the species you are imitating.
For more recipes and photos of great fly fishing flies, visit link
Good Luck!