by L. Woodrow Ross
Presenting a fly so that it appears to be a natural insect or baitfish on moving water requires some sophisticated skills. These are well withing the scope of the average fly fisherman but are not always properly executed.
Situation One: Casting Directly Upstream
This cast requires great control by the caster. The line must be controlled so that the drift is natural. In order to appear realistic, the fly should drift at the same speed as the current, unless it is a streamer. If the fly line is recovered too slowly by the caster, it will “belly” and not allow for a natural drift. If the caster recovers the line too fast, it will also have a negative effect.
If fishing a nymph or streamer, they might require additional weight to reach the proper depth. Trout rarely hold at the surface and commonly are deeper in the water column. Weight may be added by having a weighted head of lead or some other metallic material. It may also be as simple as clipping an appropriately sized split shot onto the leader, six or eight inches above the fly.
Situation Two: Casting Upstream and/or Across Current
This situation requires that the angler must mend the fly line in order to avoid downstream “bellying” or unnatural drag on the fly line. The rod should be used to “flip” the fly line upstream to negate the bellying. This requires skill and will be learned over time in order to use the exact amount of effort to achieve a satisfactory mend. During the mend, any excess line should be recovered. When fishing in strong current, numerous mends may be required.
Note: Wading upstream in current is often difficult, and the timely use of a wading staff will assist the angler in avoiding an untimely dunking as well as helping them to wade more quietly, thereby avoiding spooking of the fish.
Situation Three: Casting Downstream
Streamers especially are often fished across and downstream of currents. With streamers, casting across and allowing the fly to drift down and then across the current is a common practice. Additional line can be released on the drift, thereby extending the coverage of the water.
On the upstream retrieve, the streamer may be retrieved with short strips of the line, causing it to appear more like the darting action of a small baitfish.
General Comments
When fishing dry flies, it is a good practice to occasionally “false” cast to dry the fly and enhance the drift by removing excess water that it may have absorbed. This action does not require a lot of line extension, only enough to allow the fly to dry and avoid spooking the fish.
A good practice is to avoid unnecessarily long casts. These can affect accuracy and actually spook fish. Proper, delicate fly placement is much more productive.
Swift water may allow the use of shorter leaders and tippets and better casting control. The constant movement of the water requires the fish to make a faster decision on whether to strike and this may negate the need for longer leaders and tippets.
Regardless of water speed, trout may be very selective at times. It is imperative that the angler have a good selection of dry flies, wet flies and streamers in his vest. Also, pay close attention to the insects on the water and in the air.
Trout may have a “pea-sized” brain, but it can be a rewarding experience to outsmart them by making the proper fly selection and using the best casting technique for the situation on the water.
