If you\u2019ve been casting flies on local streams lately, surely you\u2019ve seen a few looks (followed by refusals) from those wary trout. When we see the fish refusing naturals in addition to our offerings, we should take note as anglers and up our game a bit. We would counsel changing your presentation before switching out to another fly pattern in most cases. If a fish is showing interest, you\u2019re halfway there. The fish is recognizing the offering as food, they just may not like the way it\u2019s being presented to them. Usually the \u201cproblem\u201d is drag on your fly, and this can be easily corrected with an up or downstream mend of the line as the situation dictates. Keeping your line off the water and your leader and fine tippet above (upstream) of the fly usually helps as well. <\/p>\n
This especially applies to the fall streamer fishing we\u2019re all enjoying on the freestones. If a trout is following your big fly, you\u2019re on the right track. We all know to carry many colors and sizes of these bigger flies, but most days it is all about the retrieve versus throwing the \u201cright fly.\u201d There are many ways to strip a streamer through the water: low and slow, high and fast, up, down or across stream \u2014 the possibilities are endless. The main takeaway is to keep playing around with your retrieve until the fish start eating the fly, not just reacting to it. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s time to switch the fly if all else fails. Usually, going down in size is the answer \u2014 but not always. On rivers like the Fryingpan, the fish certainly become more distrustful of large dry fly presentations as summer hatches of PMDs and green drakes continue in to fall. The moral of the story here is to show those fish your fly in the water type and manner they are accustomed to, especially if you know your hatches. Be safe out there and enjoy the spectacular fall fishing on our doorstep.<\/p>\n
This report is provided every week by Taylor Creek Fly Shops in Aspen and Basalt. Taylor Creek can be reached at 970-927-4374 or taylorcreek.com.<\/p>\n