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Successful Stillwater Fly Fishing

Our March 2000 contribution from Terry Lawton

Some years ago the rod maker Sage ran an advertisement in an American fishing magazine which quoted a fishing guide from Idaho. The guide said: "The way I see it, there are five stages a fly fisherman goes through. As a beginner, he just wants to catch fish; then he wants to catch lots of fish. Soon he evolves and just wants to catch a big fish; then, he wants to catch lots of big fish. Finally, he wants to catch the uncatchable fish......" This article is going to show you how to start catching fish and help you on your way to which ever of the following stages you seek to reach. By the way, we all go through the stage of just wanting to catch lots of fish, sometimes known as limititis. This afflicts those anglers who must catch their limit each and every time they fish: you will grow out of it.

Stillwaters of various sizes are likely to be the first place many new fly fishermen will try out their skills. If there is a manager at the fishery, after buying your ticket, the first thing to do is ask for advice. The manager should be able to tell you the best spots to try, what depth to fish at and the current popular patterns and sizes of fly to use.

Having found what you hope will be a good place to start, don't rush in and start casting. Stand quietly, back from the water's edge, and look to see if you can see a fish perhaps rising or in the water. If there is no sign of a fish, check the wind direction. If it is winter, pick a spot where the wind is on your back. In summer fish so that the wind is blowing into you face.

The next thing to look for is if there is a good ripple on the water and a ripple line between the edge of the rough water and smooth water. If there is, fish over the line into the ripple. Look for reed beds, tree roots, an inlet and other places that may hold fish. Over-hanging trees will provide shade and cover for fish as well as being a possible source of terrestrial food such as caterpillars. Streams flowing into a stillwater will bring in fresh and well-oxygenated water as well as food and are always a good place to try.

Now you can make your first cast. Start of with short casts as fish will often be found close to the bank. Long casts and lots of movement will only frighten the fish into deeper water further from the bank. If there are reed beds, cast parallel to the bank. To make sure that you cover the water properly, cast "round the clock". Once you have fished from one bank, round the clock to the other bank, start again but this time cast out further.

The key to successful stillwater fishing is to fish at the right depth. You can only find this by trial and error, using the countdown method. The first time you cast, count to 10 before you start your retrieve. Count to 15 on the next cast, 20 on the next and so on. Vary the depth each cast and when you catch a fish or one takes a look at your fly, with your next cast, count to the same number and the fly should be at the same depth again.

Another variable is your speed of retrieve. Fish can be caught on a fly that is barely moving and some times on a fly that you pull or strip-in at high speed. Or anywhere in between. Keep varying your retrieve until you find one that attracts the fish. At the end of each cast, lift off slowly and carefully watching the end of your line. Watch out for the "induced take" as you lift the fly in the water as you start a new cast. Do not rush into a cast as fish will often follow your fly right up to the bank and grab it just as they think it is about to disappear.

When you think that it is time for a change of fly, you could always try one of the same pattern but in a different size. As you get more experienced you may buy a sinking line to complement a floating line. A floating line and different speeds of sinking leader will allow you to cover quite a range of water depths. A weighted fly fished on a floating line will rise to the surface as it is retrieved. Sinking lines will help you to fish deeper or get your fly down to depth faster and allow you to retrieve your fly in a straight line and at depth.

At one time very few people would fish a dry fly on stillwaters but times have changed and flies, of course, do hatch on stillwaters. When you see rises it is worth trying a dry fly. Dimpling rises can mean the fish is taking small flies or spent and dying flies, bulging rises indicate the fish is taking nymphs just under the surface and big splashy rises mean a fish taking big flies or hatching nymphs.

Because rainbow trout cruise around, you will have to estimate where a crusing trout will rise next and cast there. If there is an area of activity, with anumber of fishing rising, cast into the middle of the area and leave your fly sitting there until it is taken. Keep your rod tip down and your line tight so you are ready to set the hook.

When fish are taking sedges which you can see splashing about, try giving your fly a twitch every now and then to mimic the movement of the naturals that you are trying to imitate.

If a change of fly, or even line, has no effect, move on elsewhere. If you have fished the same spot for half to three quarters of an hour and had no takes, try another spot.

Do not expect all takes to be felt right through to your rod - a good firm pull. Fish on the bigger reservoirs will probably hit hard, but most takes on stillwaters are very gentle. The only way to detect these gentle takes and catch fish is to concentrate hard on the end of your flyline. If you see any movement, tighten immediately. (I don't like the word strike which implies a much too aggressive action.) This is very important if fishing a static line as most takes come on the drop. Make sure that there is no slack in your line and keep your hand on it at all times, with your rod tip low.

As you learn and develop your skills, you will find that particular flies need fishing is specific ways so that they represent accurately the movements and actions of the originals that they are intended to represent, hatching sedge pupae are a very good example. I will return to this in a future article.

Too many stillwater fisherman insist on trying to cast as far as they can with every cast. If you stop and check the water close to the edge, you will be surprised at how many fish there are with a few metres of the bank. Also you will not catch fish if you spend all your time casting: you must keep your fly in the water. And do not forget to keep concentrating.

The way forward
Whether you fish small stillwaters, big reservoirs or rivers, do enjoy yourself. Fishing is a wonderful sport that is meant to be savoured and enjoyed. Do take time to enjoy your surroundings, the countryside and wildlife. And if you catch fish, they are a bonus.