It doesn’t ask the fish to chase very much. Fish that same click and pawl from your grandfather. Streamer Fishing … Hi Domenick, just stumbling across your encyclopedia of tactics and I can’t get enough! In those cases I use either faster presentations and lighter flies, or I resort to drop shotting (video here). I enjoy writing and putting all this together. Overweighting the rig is often the best bet. I don’t try the old school streamer method enough. Small marabou streamers, twitch flies (skunks, bitch creeks…), buggers, etc., they all have their time. This is true for any species – panfish, trout, bass, steelhead, salmon, the pike family – even catfish! I also use a small Motto’s Minnows. Streamers will catch more fish, a larger variety of fish and bigger fish in moving or still water during all four seasons.The reason is simple — streamers imitate baitfish, and big fish eat little fish! To prevent this, lift the rod up on the retrieve, almost as if jigging. Family. I’m a father of two young boys, a husband, author, fly fishing guide and a musician. Even a two inch streamer may turn trout off, but streamers drifted through a trout’s area always gets their attention, so we might as well add a nymph to the rig and give them another option. Streamer flies have gotten bigger and bigger and more articulated, and I still fish big flies, but on a basic level, I don’t enjoy throwing giant flies (over six inches) or basically flies that are heavy to cast.Anymore, I usually stick to streamers … As I wrote above, I like the white “sighter streamer” for a streamer rig, but I don’t think I’d like it as much for nymphing. Then the memory of your biggest trout will be even sweeter. Then allow the shot to drop to the bottom; the streamer will swing around on its 6 inch leash and face into the current. If you ever get to watch a good bass fisherman work their various baits and lures, do it. Fishing two streamers is a deadly way to entice the largest fish to strike. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Very fun post. Now (August-September) is a great time start experimenting with small streamers. Tuck. So, gather data toward those questions, and then branch off from there. Just get them in or around the structure and hold them in an area with light jigs and strips. Most of this fishing will be by feel, so one of the best ways is to cast across the … The best days start by learning what most trout in the river are doing. If one approach isn’t working, I try the next one. I typically lift the rod tip up and drop the tip back to the water once the line is lifted higher in the water column. You are not asking the trout to chase anything down or exert much effort. As the heavy-headed streamer came downstream, he hopped it, then let it fall. Most of my old school streamers are simple ties, for two reasons I guess: One, because you lose them more often. Here are my thoughts on euro nymphing lines vs a Mono Rig. The patterns listed are ones that I recommend everyone have in their fly boxes, simply because … Give the streamer some motion, but not too much. For deeper and faster water the sink tip helps you to fish unweighted flies at a greater depth. throw your streamer to the other bank – if you’re not 6 inches off the bank, you might as well be a mile. Be part of the Troutbitten community of ideas. Nothing is more descouraging than losing your huge articulated streamer to a snag under water. The easiest way to catch a big fish on a fly is on a streamer. Mal (Mainiac) taught me how to fish streamers many years ago. You also have to find the right water speed: too fast and the streamer can’t settle down; too slow and the current won’t push the tail around. Tick. . In addition, it teaches a streamer fisherman how to react when they see a fish chase, and how to turn those chases into bites. I’d say screw it. Fishing streamers on still water: The above has been catered to those fishing rivers, however, the same rules apply to fishing still water such as lakes. Angler Types in Profile Big Trout Commentary Dry Fly Fishing Fly Fishing StrategiesGear Reviews Night FishingNymphing Stories Streamers Tactics Troutbitten Fly Box, Gear Review Policy Terms and conditonsPrivacy PolicyAffiliate Link DisclosureAmazon Affiliate Disclaimer, Gear Review Policy Terms and conditons Privacy Policy Affiliate Link Disclosure Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer. Love your reads…and you discuss all options without creating arguments…great readers here too. One extreme to the other, I guess. You do that 2 or 3 times in a day and you get reluctant to go deep. If not, I think you’ll find that your 4 weight will handle it quite well. I also fish the Sage X 9’ 6wt and it has excelled in many small stream situations. Just work the streamer through the water. All of my favorite streamers have built in weight, and if that’s not enough, then I add split shot to the leader. Additionally, you can make the same thing happen with a heavy split shot and a lightweight or unweighted streamer. It’s another invaluable reference point that indicates water speed and direction. I rarely fish a Senko with any weight. It matters. Thanks so much for watching and dont forget to like and SUBSCRIBE! So on many days, after receiving the message that the trout would like something different, I’ve had better results going to streamers. I recommend switching frequently until you are consistently moving fish. Your excellent post set me to thinking. I’ve been lazy sometimes when tying on a strea… Cheers. Many days the unweighted flies will out-produce anything with weight because of the increased action of the fly. One of the most important things to consider when selecting a streamer is the water and light conditions. Even a two inch streamer may turn trout off, but streamers drifted through a trout’s area always gets their attention, so we might as well add a nymph to the rig and give them another option. Know your tippet diameter. . Hope it helps. Many days the unweighted flies will out produce anything with weight because of the increased … When I talk to guys about fishing streamers this way they often shrug and tell me, “Yeah I dead drift streamers sometimes too.” But there’s a lot more to it than just nymphing your streamer, and through the years I’ve learned a set of subtle movements that seem to trigger trout into action. So if you want to catch big fish, throw streamers … However, we understand that having multiple fly rods is not realistically in everyone’s current budget. Many times the fish are on a minnow bite in the summer, which leads me to start with a bright and small fly that time of year. Sometimes I like to get real close to structure and put my streamers in there. I add a small, white streamer on a tag dropper about 24-30 inches up from my main fly. I like Clouser style streamers…for all the reasons you give…especially when I fish slow on the bottom. I landed the largest wild trout of my life on a click and pawl reel. I carry the floating line to fish sections of river with an average depth around 2 feet or less. Join Troutbitten and follow along. Since 2014 and 600 articles deep Troutbitten is a free resource for all anglers Your support is greatly appreciated. A Wooly Bugger is considered to be a streamer in the fly fishing world. The modern streamer approach asks trout to get up and chase something down, to kill it and eat it, while the old school streamer game presents an easily available chunk of protein to the trout. With these conditions I typically keep my flies small in low water situations. As I drop the rod tip back to the water I increase the speed of my strip to pick up the slack line that was created by the lift of the rod tip. Join the mailing list to receive all Troutbitten articles and updates directly to your inbox. I use the Rio Grand for small streamers which turns them over well on short casts and is a very good roll casting line. (Sometimes I think of it as an active nymphing approach.). Glad that some of this is useful. Large brown trout frequently eat the fly on a long pause. Focus . The 10th episode of RIO's "How To" series, is presented by RIO ambassador Russ Miller. Reading Water, Stories, Tactics, Walk Along. Your email address will not be published. White is usually visible in all but the muddiest water conditions. Bring the rig downstream, with the head pointing down current. Anyone can make a streamer fish … For streamers with a floating line you're typically going to want a weighted fly. I use a weighted Shenk’s White Minnow, or Burke’s White Variant, which is a spin off from Loren Williams’ Rat Bastard. These techniques will be the ticket until rivers flows bump up due to fall rains. It's almost a necessity if you're fishing something with a deer … I can easily change out this rig above the sighter and get back to my nymphing rig in about a minute — tying just one knot — by storing the pre-tied streamer and nymphing rigs on Loon Outdoors Rigging Foam. It’s a lot of fun. Usually I keep two 6 weights rigged in the boat: one with a Rio Grand floating line and one with a 150 or 200 grain Rio Intouch 24ft sink tip. All you have to do is keep stripping in your fly in with the rod low, pointed towards the fly until you feel the weight of the fish … Your email address will not be published. My mono reel is an old click reel that was my grandpa’s, so I’m wondering if a drag system is needed or not. Two, because I think trout get a longer look at what they’re going to eat this way, and too much movement and too big of a fly turns them off. On the retrieve, then work the streamer … With the extra weight, the mono rig, and the sighter, you have full control over the system. The streamer game is on a new path. I fish 4 inch flies when a river has a lot of holes that are 3 to 6 feet deep. It was consistent and predictable. The pivot happened every time he let the fly rest on the bottom. As I back-rowed, I watched his technique with eyes wide open, and I saw that he was doing something different. Gone will be times of watching that indicator for the slightest movement. There are few patterns more effective than streamers when attempting to catch large fish on a regular basis. I can put the fly wherever I want in the water column and move it however I like. George Daniel’s book Strip Set Purchase here to support Troutbitten. While fishing streamers you can use heavy lead- ers and tippets that prevent the trout from break- ing off before the knot pulls loose. In low, clear, sunny conditions I have zero confidence that I’ll get fish to chase and eat a big streamer. And sometimes, even with perfect flows on a big river system, trout prefer the easy meal over something they have to chase down. And I love trying to find them. The streamer game can be just as technical as the nymphing game if you want it to be. . About the reel. Noel, no I haven’t, but now I might. Be helpful. And the river. And many of those adjustments are based on our thought processes around weights and measures. There is a very popular idea that fishing unweighted streamers on sinking lines is the only way to catch big trout. This will give you a better hook set as the line is tight throughout the entire retrieve. One of the main items to be aware of is that fishing with streamers tends to elicit very aggressive strikes out of fish. by Alex Lafkas | Oct 15, 2018 | Uncategorized | 0 comments. This will stop break-offs and let you land a majority of the trout you hook.” Boy, was he ri… fish aren’t spooked out of hiding 3 feet off the bank, they get spooked 6 inches … Domenick Swentosky T R O U T B I T T E N domenick@troutbitten.com. Sparkle minnows are a go to and will generate a lot of action; they tend to work best on sunny days. However, there’s a pretty wide range of currents that will work. It adds another fun element back into the game. This idea takes advantage of every opportunity for a trout to strike. I first picked up this idea from Joe Humphreys, and Burke wrote about it a couple years ago. One more thing. It does introduce some drag to the system because it’s usually in a different current speed than the point streamer. You can tie it off the bend, but I prefer the Add-On Line method, and I usually run it on a 14 inch trailer. I fished one way and guide bugged me to fish another…life is interesting. Used whenever you are fishing streamers, a strip-set is a method used to hook a fish once it eats your fly. It’s fun. If you fish an unweighted streamer with a sinking line, the fly is 10 feet off the bank before it gets down to a good fishing depth. Yes, you now have three flies. My own preference is to fish the old school style while wading, and the modern streamer style from the boat. Overweighting the rig is often the best bet, Trout Like To Do What Their Friends Are Doing, Distance: Know Your Weights and Measures — Part Two, Troutbitten State of the Union — 2020 Wrap Up, VIDEO | Fly Fishing the Mono Rig: Streamers — Episode 1, Tight Line and Euro Nymphing — The Lift and Lead, Streamer Presentations — The Tight Line Dance, Fifty Fly Fishing Tips: #43 — Two Ways to Recover Slack, Get Short and Effective Drifts with Your Fly, Fly Casting — Five Tips For Better Mending, Lost Trout Are Your Fault — Streamer Fishing Myth v Truth, The Meat Eater Minority — Streamer Fishing Myth v Truth, Fifty Fly Fishing Tips: #21 — Fear No Snag. I’m dumbfounded by how little some fly fishermen think about what they’re doing with streamers. Hi. The first thing you will want to consider is the rod you will be using. Typically, when a fish eats a streamer you’re going to feel it. A Streamer is a fly (lure) used in fly fishing that simulates a bait. Now just a five-inch strip with the rod tip up. Generally, the cast is upstream or up-and-across. We floated a big river the other day, and Sawyer fished the old school streamer style the whole time. . Fish on! Have you ever used a white streamer on a tag as an underwater indicator for a nymph? Watch the sighter to gauge the current speeds and to indicate when the streamer has paused on the bottom. Your guide will be rowing and calling the shots, so when you cast to that juicy looking cut bank, your fly hits the water and immediately sinks to the fish… . That’s a nice comment. To the existing setup, add a nymph below the point streamer. My good friend, Sawyer, seems to know all those tricks. A short 6 to 7 foot leader to 1X or 2X will suffice. And they have a literal boatload of tricks at the ready. And these two qualities determine a leader’s turnover power and the amount of potential drag . Many people go to the nymph rig, but I jump right to streamers. A versileader helps get streamers down in deep or fast water. … Mount the shot about 6 inches above the fly. Low water is typically clear and the high sun of summer penetrates the water column much more than in the spring or the fall. And learn to accurately judge the distance you are casting. If you fish hard and pay attention to the details, you’ll often catch, miss or turn enough trout to learn something. I fish more dries these days, but as Stephen M. (Black Ghost) said once, big fish eat little fish. Just too many options. Sometimes I cast to the banks and do the Galloup jerk-strip thing — but just a little slower. Our go-to set up is usually a 6-weight rod with a 4-foot fluorocarbon leader with an unweighted diver or streamer pattern or a 7-weight rod with a 4-foot fluorocarbon leader with a … by Domenick Swentosky | Jan 18, 2017 | 20 comments, Read the Troutbitten Article  | Buy the Vest. … Sawyer caught most of his fish on the pivot that day, and we saw it happen twice. https://troutbitten.com/2014/11/05/the-backing-barrel/. There are a lot of options: you can run the fly downstream at the same speed as the bottom current; you can allow it to stall on the bottom, then hop or crawl it along; or you can give the line a good long pull every time the fly touches bottom and keep it traveling faster than the current. This is no place for slim baitfish imitations. And, if the point streamer is heavy enough (or you’re using enough shot) then it is not pushed or pulled around much at all by a small sighter streamer. Sawyer’s streamer is built on a ball head jig, so it pivots very easily. A big fly would be 4 inches. A few weeks ago I wrote about some of the changes that streamer fishing is going through. Just a quick video about how we rig up our rods when we fish streamers for big trout! The two most popular connections for fishing tandem streamers are the bend and two-eye connections. Learn what are some of the most common streamer … Drop. We are an equal opportunity service provider. The first time, a good sized trout followed his streamer for a few feet. And on many days, the fish eat it — a lot. I have the same issue as you described with getting my rig snagged. For clients, I find the sink tip is much easier for them to cast. Thank you all, for a wonderful and busy 2019 season! The reason is simple and well known: big flies catch big fish. Sometimes he let it sit on the bottom for a second or two. If you watch this happen, you’ll see how tantalizing and natural it is. Most of the time, that means the fish are close to the bottom feeding on anything in the “drift”…insects floating with the current. At the heart of every good leader design is an intentional balance between turnover and drag. “Never let the fly die,” they say. In order to have any chance at all of hooking and landing fish, the fly fisher must present flies in the fish… An old timer taught me what works for him on a relatively low flow <100 CFS 3’ visibility small stream using the lift method. This sounds a lot like the techniques they use in Alaska with flesh flies… I suppose this works on a similar concept. . I try to consciously cycle through a series of variations before changing flies. This is my home, and I love it. At short distances you can feel contact with the riverbed, but at long distances the sighter is critical. My favorite rod for this type of fishing is a 9’ 6wt Sage Method, but I prefer fast rods overall. Have you ever tried using the same style of “flesh flies” around here, or anywhere where the fish don’t benefit from tons of rotting salmon flesh flowing downstream? Yes, drop shot works with streamers too. Many days the unweighted flies will out produce anything with weight because of the increased action of the fly. And while this is also one of the most common questions I’ve fielded through the years, it has a complex answer that I’ve never tackled in an article. A good … How to Fish Streamers Streamer fishing is distinctly different than dry fly fishing … When fishing streamers, choose flies with different colors and … And you should give it a try and report back! The difficulty with the sink tip is that it sinks, of course, and can quickly find bottom when you pause the fly. Lead. I’m grateful for the resource. I’ve seen other heavy headed flies do it too (coneheads, dumbell eyes, large beadheads), but not nearly as consistently as the ball head jig. There's also a rush that comes with streamer fishing that doesn't come with other brands of fly fishing. Kelly Galloup, who I both like and deeply respect, has pushed this idea to the forefront of … Compare that to the competition bass fishing scene. Consider your fly size and weight. I also like to run the streamer across lanes, through pockets and around rocks or logs. Not just any streamer tactics though — old school streamers. I like to keep the sighter streamer small and streamlined so it causes less drag on the line. I like to experiment with different speeds. Well, that’s kind of impossible, brother. Tackle that first . I think there are a lot of subtle movements like Sawyer’s pivot that trigger trout into striking. Your email address will not be published. I’ve had much success with the mono rig on a 4wt setup nymphing in the GA “mountains” and am curious about your streamer hardware for bigger fish. Remember, the old school streamer style is about presenting an easy meal to the trout. That’s what matters. It’s visual. I use a 4/0 GY Sugoi hook with my 5" Senkos(and a lot of … I like to keep the sighter streamer small — #8-#12 range. Although, even on a productive float, I like to mix it up and see which tactic might deliver the best trout to the boat net. I do a lot better when I focus on one style of retrieve for at least five minutes or so. It’s how we solve the daily puzzles. Get close, and open your eyes real wide to take it all in. . Most of my streamers for the old school style are between 1.5 and 3.5 inches, and I like weight in the fly. But drag isn’t always bad with streamers, as we know. Streamers. We’ve all been there, the sun is high, the dry fly bite is tapering and you start thinking about what to try next. That means you make your least effective presentation to the most … Black streamers are most visible at night, so keep your flies on the dark side. I imagine that in clear water, it would be quite visible. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The streamer’s tail catches the current and swings around while the head remains in place, and in one second, the streamer is facing upstream. Since the rod doesn’t have to cast weight of a fly line, the weight of easy a big streamer doesn’t add up to enough to tax the rod. And a different presentation, maybe using an unweighted streamer, might be the ticket to pressured fish in often visited water. I learned the nymph behind the streamer from a western guide on the Ruby river…it can be deadly. Upstream streamer fishing, on … I like to add a small, white streamer on a tag about two feet above the point streamer (more on that below). When fishing still water, just remember to cast out as far as you can and let the fly sink as deep as it can go. And advanced angling starts by being aware of the stats. The fly touched the bottom, made the pivot and S-L-A-M … the trout ate it. These views address all seasons, all distances and many variations . you are imitating a food source (typically a smaller fish) being spooked out from it’s hide, and frantically fighting the current across stream. Book now to join me in 2020. Most streamer fishermen I know have the instinct to keep stripping. Instead of trying to “match the hatch” in the traditional fly fishing sense, bass anglers employ flies that dive, dart, jig, wiggle, and undulate naturally to seduce the fish into striking. Nothing is more important than the leader. I tied up a buncha bunny bullets, and went to the Deschutes…..got some toad redsides to eat….keep up the good work! My favorite nymphs for the Big Rig are a small stonefly (#10-14) or a tiny Zebra Midge (#20-22). Right on. He’s an accomplished fisherman, and yet he’s modest and happy to share his ideas. What this causes though is situation that is very easy to snap your leader and tippet. Thanks, Bill. Maybe it’s me and maybe it’s the fish, but either way, my best efforts to recreate what I’ve gotten used to in the winter haven’t produced. Been using the mono rig for a while now and it’s been great for my nymphing game. Since these fly fishing flies are designed to imitate small baitfish that larger fish feed on, many streamers tend to be larger than other types of flies. Some of these guys are dialed in to a degree that is unmatched in much of the fly fishing world. In addition to variations in color, I also carry flies in various weights from heavy to unweighted and in between. If you already have weighted and lightly weighted streamers, attach a sinking poly leader, grab your favorite unweighted streamer and watch as the streamer … When fishing smaller rivers with more 1 to 3 foot of water, I keep the flies small, in the 1 to 2 inch range. On cloudy days, mornings and evenings when there isn’t much light penetration, Olive and black flies should be early in the rotation. . The same thing goes for trout fishing out of the boat – longer leaders and heavy flies apply. You are not trying to elicit a predatory or defensive response as per the modern streamer method. In order to stall the fly the line must be high in the water column in many low water situations, which is why this is necessary to master. So, it can cause a little drag on the point streamer. Fishing streamers in a down-and-across position is easier because of the immediate tension that is created by placing the fly downstream of your position. Short leaders of 4 feet are practical when fishing unweighted streamers on sink-tip or full-sinking lines so the fly will not bow back toward the surface, which might render it ineffective. It’s a great way to keep in touch. He uses a 9’ 5X tippet to an unweighted bugger or matuka with 3-4 medium shot 18” up line for maximum play. And the easiest place to start is to know your distances. It’s what long-term anglers love about this game. One of the biggest advantages of the floating line is that it allows the angler to pause the fly during the retrieve in shallow or slow water without snagging on the bottom. I fish nymphs when I don’t see fish actively rising. At the heart of the puzzle is an eternal question: What do the trout want? AL Fly-Fishing is licensed by the State of Michigan, fully insured and proudly operates under a Special Use Permit in Cooperation with Huron Manistee National Forest. I have a good arsenal of rod weights to choose from, but I’m unsure about the reel. On the other hand, the biggest fish I ever hooked (an 11 pound salmon) jumped to take a streamer before it ever hit the water. Once anglers achieve success with streamers, they often focus intently on fishing big flies. In bigger water, I often use large lead shot that we call cannonballs — they’ll get you down. Gear To Use When Fishing … Sometimes I let the drift finish out below me and swing around. Making adjustments is the key to consistent fly fishing. You have more control over the system with the extra weight — you stay in better contact and can guide the streamer with or against the currents. In essence, old school streamers come to the trout, and modern streamers flee from the trout. Seeing fish come to the fly in low clear water is always fun. I use a 2 to 3 foot section of 0X to 3X on the sink tip – without any leader — with floating flies to help keep them down in narrow rivers. Fly Fishing Streamers. I wrote about some of the changes that streamer fishing is going through. I was using 3X for streamers, but John said, “If the fish is willing to commit to taking a streamer on 3X fluorocarbon, it will not shy away from a streamer on 0X fluorocarbon. It’s exciting. Fly Casting, Fly Fishing Strategies, Tactics. Been reading all your stuff Domenick, and I dig your style. I really like the little white indicator streamer idea and will be trying this soon. I love those reels. Thanks. All of these elements are intertwined. Sometimes they won’t eat a bigger meal. And it looked extremely natural. Often, the rivers I fish have too much wood and vegetation for me to ride the bottom without getting snagged or picking up salad every other cast. I’m also thankful for the audience that supports it. This will lift the line up in the water column and will allow you to continue the retrieve without interruption. Your email address will not be published. When fishing the old school streamer style, I always use the mono rig. Friends. But here’s the thing — his streamer pivots. I’ve received countless questions about my thoughts regarding euro lines and mono rigs. Streamers are typically made with a hook wrapped in natural (feathers and fur) or synthetics materials like polyester and Mylar. Get the streamer to the bottom, then bring it downstream. So I can still sling the fly to the banks and bang out of few jerk strips. Alex, the way I think about it, the white streamer on a tag would grab too much current and cause too much drag on the nymph underneath — in many situations. And be nice. I have to admit, I learned a lot. Sawyer did the opposite. Material diameter and material stiffness. Try to get away from the idea of stripping. Thanks. I fish for wild brown trout in the cool limestone waters of Central Pennsylvania year round. I have the ‘hooch as an upcoming excursion and want to try what your article discusses. Required fields are marked *, Joe Humphreys’ book Trout Tactics Purchase here to support Troutbitten. The head of the fly faces downstream during the retrieve, and when allowed to rest on the bottom, it immediately turns 180 degrees in the current. I wrap foam around the hook of the stonefly (under the body) to keep it buoyant enough and off the bottom. . Do you mean you have or have not yet fished streamers on your Mono Rig yet? For deeper and faster water, the sink tip helps you to fish unweighted flies at a greater depth. . Of course I’m not saying that it convinces a trout to eat every time, but it’s another thing for your bag of tricks. When Sawyer picks up the fly rod, he brings that same intensity for experimentation with him.