Think Outside the Fly Box

Purists stick to the same old techniques, afraid to venture outside their comfort zone. But sometimes you've got to get a little weird to fool the fish. Next time the standard dry fly drift just isn't cutting it, tie on a gaudy streamer and strip with no rhyme or reason. Or try skating a beetle pattern across the surface film. Maybe go rogue with something tiny and offbeat like a flashy mop fly. The fish haven't read the rulebook. Embrace your inner creative and think outside the fly box.

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IN THE RIFFLES

Forget about tight loops and subtle presentations. Instead, you’ll want to splash your streamers down hard, make a few hard strips, and then pick up and cast again. A splashing fly is incredibly important because it draws the attention of any trout in the area, and then a few quick strips or jerks of your rod gives the impression of prey trying to escape. This will trigger the fish to give chase and slam the retreating streamer, so long as there’s a trout around.


It’s important to remember that big streamer-eating trout can be few and far between, so don’t spend all your time in one area. Once you’ve hit a few likely spots with no action, move on and continue to cover water. Though the fish are aggressive, they are still trout and can still be choosy about what they are eating. So if you have had no strikes or noticed any activity behind your fly after 20 or 30 casts…


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GEAR GUIDE