Holding Water

I often meet and guide anglers that have been fishing for many years, and that understand the importance of casting, mending and fly selection, but still struggle to catch fish. The most common reason for this with fly-fishermen, time after time, is the inability to read the water correctly. Dave Hughes, author of "Tactics For Trout" and "Reading The Water", hits the nail on the head with this one: "Ninety percent of trout live in only ten percent of the water". This statement cannot be emphasized enough. No matter how graceful one can cast a fly rod, or how perfectly an angler matches the hatch, if the fly is not drifting through trout habitat, the chances of netting a fish drop dramatically. Trout living in streams and rivers have very specific needs and will only occupy an area if it can meet these needs. The primary needs are a food source, cover from predators and oxygen. When I approach a trout stream, whether on foot or in the driftboat, I tell myself or my clients: "Okay, look at the river from bank to bank. Now, realize that 90% of the water that you are looking at does not hold any fish. We need to look at the 10% that will hold almost all of the fish." From here, we will then look for the obvious "lies" or holes, that should hold fish; places where trout can evade prey, but still find food coming down the conveyor belt, and a place where there is sufficient oxygen (moving, aerated water). Riffles, deep runs, woody structure and bouldery pocket water are some examples of prime lies. Fish these spots, and you'll be successful! Add Dave Hughes' books to your winter reading list to learn more, or better yet, book me for a day next summer and we'll read some water together! Here's a shot of guide Chris Stump on the Big Hole River, Montana, putting my buddy Campbell Hough right in the zone. I've added a feed onto my site below the blog archive directly from the Trout Unlimited website and blog. Check it out for recent posts from this important conservation group. More soon!