A BASIC APPROACH TO FLY FISHING STILLWATERS
Most anglers that plan a trip to a specific area to fish will take a careful look at the opportunities that await them and will carefully consider their options before finalizing their plans. Right?!!
Well, not exactly. Let me explain. I talk to many anglers each year who are planning trips to the legendary waters of Paradise Valley in Montana. The waters they want to talk about are the three spring creeks that are just south of Livingston or the Yellowstone River which flows through the valley. There is also a great deal of interest in the fabled streams of Yellowstone National Park like the Firehole, Slough Creek or the Gibbon.
When I ask if they have any interest in fishing any of the fine stillwaters in the area, the majority say no. When I ask why not, I hear everything from the fish in lakes is too small or too easy. I am told that fly fishing in lakes offers no technical challenge. To these reasons I pay little attention and let the subject fade. However many anglers tell me that they don't fish lakes and ponds because they just don't understand how to locate the fish and make them eat! Now, this is a valid reason. It is easy to understand as each year there are numerous books and magazine articles written on fishing moving water, yet very little written about how to fly fish in stillwater situations. If you review the list of books published during the past ten years you will quickly see my point. Comparatively speaking there is very few that deal with stillwater fly fishing.
Due to this lack of understanding on how to approach stillwaters, anglers lose many fine fishing opportunities right in their own backyards. Having traveled and fished a fair amount throughout the U.S. and Canada I have developed a system for approaching strange stillwaters that has been very successful for me and my friends. I should amend that to say that my friends and I have developed a system along with all kinds of help from a great many people. We refer to this system as our Stillwater Formula for Success, a term we borrowed from 3M Scientific Anglers.
Fly fishing the stillwaters (lakes and ponds) will offer the fly fisher many new challenges. Many of the methods which are used in moving water will work in stillwater situations. But for consistent success the angler will have a whole new set of problems to solve and new methods to master.
When teaching fly fishing classes, I often tell students that fly fishing problems are problems of logic and common sense and if we just take a moment to back up and consider the problem we face, we can generally solve it.
What the Formula does is furnish you with an organized structure of how to solve the problem or rather to obtain the information needed to be a successful stillwater fly fisher. For those of you who choose to follow the Formula you will find your task easier and more enjoyable. The Formula is broken down into three parts: Preparation, Location and Presentation. As we go along I will cover each step, tell you where to look for needed information and give you a general overview on stillwater fly fishing.
PREPARATION
I often refer to the Preparation section of the Formula as doing the needed homework that forms a good solid base of understanding and knowledge on which to build.
A. Watch videos that deal with the subject. I recommend Stillwater Trout by Gary Borger. Gary covers all of the basics. Keep an eye toward understand what casting and presentation methods you will need to master, and what additional equipment you may need to obtain if you are going to be successful. If you feel that you may need a better understanding of various casts or line control methods, then I suggest viewing the Doug Swisher casting videos or seek a private lesson from someone in your area who is a good casting instructor.
B. Research the fly fishing magazines to review what has been written on the subject of stillwater angling.
C. Research and review books that have been written about stillwater angling. I highly suggest reading Lake Fishing with a Fly by Ron Cordes and Randall Kaufmann. Another excellent book on stillwater fly fishing is Strategies for Stillwater by Dave Hughes and finally Small Water Trout Fishing by Charles Jardine. This last book is from England, but offers many interesting observations and methods that are effective right here in the United States.
D. Talk to fly shops, guides and angling friends who fish stillwaters. Ask questions pertaining to tackle, methods and pattern selection needs.
E. Make note of the areas that you, as an individual, need to work on, such casting, or mastering various presentation methods.
All of this research and practice will give the prospective stillwater fly fisher a good, solid starting point for understanding and mastering the problems one faces in stillwater angling situations.
There are some anglers who disregard any organized attempt to learn and grab their fly rod and head out to the nearest lake. This is referred to as the trial and error method which often leads to frustration. Learn what you need know before going fishing. Thus you will be able to maximize fishing time and find that you are less frustrated and more successful.
LOCATION
Location is the second step in the Formula. This is where you start studying the stillwater you wish to challenge. Even though I already have a strong background on stillwater fly fishing, when I arrive at a strange stillwater I follow the three steps in the Location part of the Formula. At first this may seem time consuming. However these steps will save you a lot of time and make you more successful.
A. Learn to read and map a stillwater with weedbeds, islands, shallows, boulder fields, inlets, outlets, drop-offs, channels, flooded timber, water depths and shaded areas being the major points of consideration. Some of the new portable fish-finders will help you do this very quickly. Now, I can already hear the cry of outrage over the fish-finders. I consider these to be nothing more than a tool to make the stillwater angler more effective. If you have done your preparation and once you have mapped your stillwater you will know the various zones of your lake or pond and know which areas are going to hold the most trout. Many small lakes and ponds will only have one or two zones. However many large lakes have four zones, and the uneducated angler often ends up fishing where there are few or no fish. The two zones that are of the greatest importance to the stillwater angler are the Littoral Zone and the Sublittoral Zone.
The littoral zone consists of several bands of rooted aquatic vegetation extending from the shoreline lakeward, to the limit of the rooted aquatic vegetation. Some stillwaters have very large and expansive littoral zones. This zone has the highest concentration of aquatic food life and generally holds the most trout. The water depth in the littoral zone is generally from six inches to ten feet. But in some shallow lakes the littoral zone can extend in twenty feet of water.
The sublittoral zone generally occurs where you start to lose the rooted aquatic vegetation and there is a drop off. The sublittoral zone may contain some floating weedbeds. The water depth will vary. This zone is also rich in aquatic food forms and holds plenty of trout.
B. Learn how to spot the stillwater trout, understanding that they are constantly moving, knowing why they are in certain areas of the stillwaters and not others and how and why the areas will change with the season and/or water temperatures.
When I arrive on a stillwater, I want to discover where the trout are feeding and what they are feeding on. This is simply a matter of observation. But often anglers don't know how to accomplish this task without spooking those trout which are working in the shallows or feeding close to the surface. When looking for stillwater trout, first I'll use a pair of binoculars and cover the stillwater as far as possible. You can walk and look but remember to stay back away from the shore so you don't spook the trout in the shallows. Look for motion, rise forms, mouth movement such as the opening and closing of the mouth of trout feeding beneath the surface or for a flash of color. Often you may only see a small part of the trout, so train yourself to look carefully in all the areas where you think a trout should be holding: i.e. around fallen or flooded timber, in a boulder field or in the lanes of the weedbeds. Also the time of day will have something to do with the trout activity level, unless there is a major emergence of some kind like the damsel nymph migrations, or a flight of flying ants or the like. You will most often find the food organisms and the trout to be most active early in the morning, say dawn to 10 AM and again during the late evenings. On overcast days the trout and the food organisms may be active throughout the entire day.
As the water in a lake is still, you find that the trout are constantly in motion. In a river, trout will have holding and feeding lies, but in the stillwater the angler must look for the feeding or cruising lanes. Most often these major feeding lanes follow the edges. I will list several key edges where you might spot a feeding trout.
1. Edges of weedbeds--where the trout can cruise and feed, but can also dart into the protective cover of the weedbeds when danger threatens.
2. Current Channels--these are located along old streambeds, or at the inflow or outflow area of the lake. The trout will cruise the edges of these current channels as they are an excellent source of food.
3. Pocket Water--these are pockets of pen water in heavy, floating weedbeds. These offer excellent cover and feeding opportunities for the trout.
4. Deep Water Edges--Trout will cruise on the deep water edge of floating weedbeds. There are also areas of submerged weedbeds and the trout will cruise and feed these edges as well.
5. Shallow Water Edges---drop off sharply into deep water. Often trout will cruise these edges feeding on various food forms, having the protection of deep water close by.
6. Flooded Timber--Trout will cruise in and around flooded timber using the timber for cover. Flooded timber will also hold a great many dragon fly nymphs, leeches and minnows.
7. Shore Edges and Open Water Edges--Trout will often follow food items, such as damsel nymphs moving to shore for hatching or terrestrials such as hoppers, beetles or flying ants which will often blanket the open water during late summer, or snails floating on the surface. Take care! The trout along the shore edges can be very spooky.
8. Foam Lines--These can be caused by the current or wind action. They often trap large amounts of food which the trout will take advantage of.
9. Shoals--Islands in the lake bottom that don't reach the surface. Often you will find trout cruising the edges feeding on various forms of aquatic life.
10. Cliffs--These areas can provide constant shade and slightly cooler surface water temperature during the warm months of summer. One will often find trout feeding along the edges of cliffs on scuds, leeches and terrestrials.
There is no simple answer, nor is there anything to take the place of observation. Oh sure, we have all traveled to strange stillwaters and hit it lucky with hatches or something that induces the trout to feed. But if you rely solely on Lady Luck, you will find fishing the stillwaters a frustrating event indeed.
C. Sample the prime zones in the stillwater to learn what food forms are available to the trout. Develop a basic understanding of the life cycles of these food forms and how and when and why the trout feed on them. This information, along the information gathered during the preparation stage, will help the angler to develop a Hatch & Food Form Chart for the season. Pay attention to how the various food forms swim or move. This will be very important in how you fish the imitations.
Some of the more common food forms found in stillwaters are midges, mayflies, caddis, dragon flies, damsel flies, sow bugs, scuds, snails, backswimmers, leeches, water beetles and minnows. Along with terrestrial insects such as ants, beetles, hoppers and crickets. Some stillwater may even contain crayfish, salamanders and tadpoles. All of these will provide food for the trout. There are certain factors which determine what aquatic food forms will be found in a stillwater. They are depth of the stillwater, oxygen content of the water, alkalinity, and aquatic vegetation. The more aquatic vegetation a stillwater has, the more aquatic food forms it will have and thus be more biologically productive in terms of trout size and number. Many of my favorite western stillwaters grow some really trophy size trout.
The three steps of location are all closely interconnected to give the angler an understanding of where, how and why the trout feed on various food forms during the seasons. This leads to the final step in the Formula.
PRESENTATION
Choosing the proper presentation is simply a manner of knowing what the trout is feeding on. Being able to select the proper imitation and the proper tackle, to present the pattern in a natural manner at the proper depth so the trout will take the fly. Simple Huh?! Let us examine the presentation section of the Formula so that we may gain a better understanding of it.
A. Know your tackle. Know its abilities and limitations as it applies to any given presentation method. Know what line and leader length will allow you to present your imitation at the proper angle, and proper depth, to fool the feeding trout. Many writers have commented on the fact that 85% present of the trout's diet is eaten below the surface of the water. It is very important for the stillwater fly fisher to have a complete selection of sinking lines and to know their sink rates. I prefer the 3M Uniform Sink Lines so that the line, leader and imitation can be presented to the trout on the same plane, thus allowing me to feel the soft takes and therefore hook more trout.
B. Pattern selection: Be as complete as possible. You can't fish them if you don't have them.
C. Learn how various conditions, such as a strong breeze, will affect your tackle, presentation methods and the location of the trout. Learn how to overcome these challenges.
D. Learn how to stalk trout from shore. Learn how to move slowly and carefully so you can approach trout without spooking them. Not all stillwater fishing is done with a float tube or boat. Often the angler may find the trout cruising in the shallow water close to shore, feeding on migrating damsel nymphs or mayfly spinners or terrestrials.
Often times in shallow water a float tube or boat can hinder the process. When stalking stillwater trout in the shallows the angler has to pre-plan and be ready. The planning starts at home before you ever leave for the stillwater. Select clothing that will blend in and not be reflective. Also remember to include your wading boots. It's tough on the waders to wade without them and may be tough on your feet! You will need your polarized sunglasses and a hat to help you see. Once you're on the stillwater and find that the trout are indeed cruising and actively feeding in the shallows, find out what they are feeding on. A small, compact pair of binoculars will allow you to do so without spooking the trout.
After choosing the proper imitation, prepare the fly and line. Have the fly free in your hand with the leader pulled clear of the rod tip, and have some loose fly line stripped off the reel and coiled in your hand. This will allow you to make that first cast without any problems. The approach must be made carefully. Stay back from the edge of the shoreline. Keep low and move slowly and quietly. Often kneeling to cast will produce better results.
Once the trout is spotted and the feeding pattern is taken into account, you will start casting. The rule of thumb is DO NOT CAST DIRECTLY OVER THE TROUT as this will most often spook the trout and leave you frustrated. Cast away from the trout, placing your last cast in the desired position. Often during a damsel fly emergence I have spent an entire day stalking trout in the shallows. Sometimes there is cover that can be used in your approach. But in the open you must move slowly. Any sudden or sharp movements will spook the trout.
E. Understand the use of boats in stillwater angling and how they can affect your presentation. If you choose to fish from a boat, remember to be very quiet. Make sure that the oarlocks are greased and that the gear is stowed so it doesn't rattle. Also remember that you generally will not be able to approach the trout as closely as you can by wading or in a float tube, thus longer casts are needed.
F. Understand and master the use of a float tube. I personally find that float tubing is a real kick. Oops, sorry, I couldn't help myself. I use a float tube for 85% of my stillwater fishing. The tube allows for the greatest maneuvering and allows the angler to approach close to the feeding trout without spooking them.
G. Learn to solve unique angling situations through careful observation.
H. Learn the various stillwater fishing methods and strategies.
When fishing stillwaters the angler must take the knowledge of the stillwater being fished, the knowledge of the available food forms, and the knowledge of how the trout will feed on these food forms, mix them all together and decide on the methods that will be needed to fish on the stillwater in the most effective and efficient manner. Running out and casting willy-nilly will most often lead the angler to frustration. Careful planning and the proper use of knowledge will lead the angler to a more productive and rewarding fishing experience. The following will be a breakdown of some of the more effective methods and strategies I use for stillwaters.
RETRIEVES
Before I dive into situation strategies, I will cover the basic retrieves used in stillwater fly fishing. There are two basic retrieves that are employed in stillwater angling. They are the "strip" and the "hand twist" retrieves. Everything else used is a variation of these two basic retrieves.
Hand-Twist Retrieve: Allows the angler to move the line with the off-rod hand. The speed of the retrieve will vary due to the actual fishing situation. Also, various movements of the rod can be used to achieve certain desired results.
Basic Strip Retrieve: The speed will vary and once again certain movements of the rod can induce desired effects in any given situation. This retrieve is performed in part by both the rod hand and the off-rod hand.
Point the rod tip down the line lowering the tip to the surface of the water. Place the line under the forefinger of the rod hand. The length and the speed of the strip will determine the action the fly will have. However, it is important to note that the single biggest problem I have to overcome when teaching stillwater seminars, is to get the angler to SLOW DOWN THE SPEED OF THE RETRIEVE!!! Remember you are trying to imitate the motions of an aquatic food form, not those of a nuclear powered hunter/killer submarine.
PRESENTATION METHODS
The Jumping Nymphs Tactic: Many times I will use this method when the trout are feeding in shallow water and tend to be a tad bit spooky. First the angler needs to determine the cruising pattern of the fish and cast far enough ahead so the trout isn't spooked by the line splash.
Allow the fly to settle to the bottom. Drop the rod tip and make sure that all the slack is taken out of the line, and then wait for the trout to come toward the fly. When the fish is about two feet from the fly, start a two inch strip and jump the fly right up in front of the fish. Don't try to look for the fly, just watch for the trout's mouth to open and close. If you see that, then set the hook. Try using the "lift and tighten" method, rather than the "break their neck" method.
The Strip Tease Bounce Method: This presentation method is very effective when using damsel fly nymph imitations. Make the cast and lower the tip of the rod to the water. Strip the line in slow 8" strips. Pause, strip the line in slow 8" strips and bounce the rod tip. Repeat this process until you hook a trout or the lake freezes over.
The Heave it, Leave it, Twitch Method: This presentation method is very effective for fishing damsel fly dries, mayfly adults, midge adults at rest and some caddis and terrestrials. Figure out the cruising and feeding pattern of the trout. Make the cast (heave it), and let it set.
When the trout approaches within 24" give the rod tip a slight twitch. Often times this twitch draws the trout's attention to your imitation and triggers the take. Sometimes the angler will wish to just heave it & leave it, without the twitch.
The Skating or Skittering Method: This method is most often used when caddis are hatching. The cast is made, the rod tip is lowered and the fly is skated back across the surface in slow, steady strips.
The Skitter Bounce Method: This method can be used for caddis, hoppers and for adult mayfly imitations. This pattern can be very effective on days when you have a slight (fishable) wind. Make the cast and keep the rod tip high. Start a short 1" strip, make 4 of them and then snap the rod downward to the surface. This will cause the pattern to bounce or jump like an adult trying to lift off. Then pause, raise the rod tip and start over.
The Strip Tease & Pause Method: Often I use this method when fishing scuds, sowbugs and mayfly nymphs. Make your cast, drop the rod tip, strip in 1" to 2" strips and then pause for 2 count. Cast, strip, pause 2, 3, strip, pause 2, 3 and so on. The length of the strip and the count on the pause can be varied.
The Count Down Method: This presentation method allows the angler to consistently get the imitation down to the desired depth. This method is used with floating and sinking lines. Cast your fly and allow it to sink to the desired count (10 seconds, 15 seconds, etc, etc) then start your retrieve. The retrieve used would depend on the type of imitation being fished. Often times this is a very effective method to use when fishing over submerged weedbeds. This is also a good method to use when searching for trout in a new and strange stillwater.
The Rise & Fall Method: Some of the food forms such as sowbugs, shrimp, and mayflies swim with a rise and fall. Some mayflies, when leaving the bottom to emerge, swim quickly to the surface. But many species swim up and drop back. This is called a false start.
The rise and fall method imitates this motion and is very effective. This method can be used with a floating or sink tip line. Cast out to the desired area, allow the fly to sink to the desired depth, and start a slow hand twist retrieve to a count of 5. Then allow the fly to settle, stop the retrieve for a five count and repeat the process. You must pay close attention or you will miss the strike that occurs while the fly is allowed to settle.
The Lift Off & Settle Method: Stillwater trout are known as feeders of opportunity. Many times they feed on this or that as they browse along the bottom of the lake or just over a submerged weedbed. This Lift Off & Settle method has proven to be highly effective as a searching method when nothing seems to be happening.
As the trout are constantly in motion, one finds that many of the food forms are also constantly moving around as they feed, prepare to emerge, or migrate. During these periods this method of presentation can be deadly. This is also another good searching method. The angler can use a sinking, floating or sink tip fly line. Note: When using a sinking line use a 4' to 5' leader. On the sink tip, the results are obtained with a 7' leader, and most often I use a 10' or 12' leader on floating line.
The Lift Off & Settle technique can be employed while wading, but this method works best in a boat or float tube. Place a split shot about 10" above the imitation. The fly is cast to the desired area and allowed to sink to the bottom or to the tops of the submerged weedbed. The rod tip is lowered to the surface of the water and any slack is removed. To start the retrieve, raise the rod tip sharply to the 2 o'clock position, count 3 and sharply lower the rod tip to the surface of the water and recover the slack. Repeat until time to cast again. Or until your arm falls off!!!
Wind Drift Presentation Method: A boat, (ugh) or float tube and a slight breeze is needed for the angler to utilize this technique. This method can be used with either floating or sinking lines and nymphs or dries. The boat or tube must be pointed into the wind. Cast at a right angle to the tube, and impact an OCCASIONAL twitch to enhance the natural drift.
This twitch will imitate the swimming movements or struggles of an adult trapped in the surface film. The angler must watch for drag and strikes. The tube must be drifting along at the same speed as the waves to insure a dead drift. This method can be used anytime, but I often will use it as a searching method.
Fan Casting: This is one of the most effective methods I have found for fishing a stillwater that I am familiar with. First I select an area where I think the trout will be working such as a drop off edge, the top of a submerged weedbed or off the edge of a floating weedbed.
Then I decide on the types of lines, leaders and imitations I will be using. Once everything is ready, I position my float tube in front of the area I wish to fish and start casting to my right, working my way with each cast. This is called fanning an area or casting around the clock. After I have covered the area I move the tube to the next grid and repeat the process. Often I have to change lines, patterns or retrieves, but I generally find a combination that works.
By following this three step process, the angler can develop into a fairly good stillwater fly fisher in a relatively short time. Oh, there will be lots of work involved, but the Formula will give the angler some organization and focus. At first glance there seems to be an overwhelming amount of knowledge and information that the angler must have to be successful on the stillwaters. However much of this is simply a matter of common sense, observation and experience and the learning process can be a lot of fun. You must admit the classroom is seldom boring for the student of stillwater angling.