Stillwater fly fishing require patience and stillwater fly fishing requires precision. Stillwater fly fishing is different than river fly fishing because with river fly fishing, the angler use the current of the river to move the fly. With stillwater fly fishing, the angler must move the fly themselves.
In stillwater environments, the water might appear to be calm on the surface, but the trout in that water will be feed just beneath the surface of the water. Because there is no current in stillwater environments, the angler has to be deliberate with their leader and the speed at which they retrieve their fly. If an angler is deliberate with these two factor, the angler will achieve consistent result with their fishing efforts.
Essential Tips for Successful Stillwater Fly Fishing
1. Leader and Tippet Selection
Use a floating line that is appropriate for the conditions you will encounter when you go fly fishing. A weight-forward floating line with a long front taper will allow you to lay out long leaders with your fishing line without hitting the surface of the water. The tapered design of these fishing lines will allow for an even transfer of energy from the angler to the fly.
This even transfer of energy will help the fly land on the water in the same way that a dry fly would land. Heavier lines are easier to cast but will disturb the water more. Trout in clear waters can be easily spooked by disturbances in the water.
Choosing the appropriate floating line is the first step in stillwater fly fishing. Choose the appropriate leader and tippet for your stillwater fly fishing location. Trout in stillwater environments has excellent vision.
Therefore, the trout have a chance to inspect your fly before they eat it. Avoid using a leader that is too thick or short. Most leaders for stillwater fly fishing are between twelve and eighteen feet in length, with the tippet section being 5X or 6X in diameter for dry flies and nymphs.
Using a long leader allow the fly to move naturaly in the water in response to the wind and any currents. Use fluorocarbon or nylon tippet and choose one based off how deep you will be fishing. Fluorocarbon tippets will sink more quickly than nylon tippets; the latter will remain on the water’s surface film longer.
2. Ideal Fishing Times
Stillwater trout have their feeding windows. The best times to go fishing in these environments are the first two hours after dawn and the last hour of daylight. Trout will move into the shallows during these times because the light is lower in intensity; they feel safer in the lower light.
During the hours of the midday, the trout will move to deeper waters or specific structure in the water. If you go fishing during the midday hours, use a sinking line with a weighted fly. Fishing during the hours of low light will result in more successful catches than if you fish during the midday hours.
3. Slow and Controlled Retrieve
Master the skill of using a slow and controlled retrieve when stillwater fly fishing. River fishing require no control over the movement of the fly because the current will control the fly’s movement. However, stillwater anglers must control the movement of the fly.
For example, six-inch strips of your fishing line, followed by a pause will attract damselfly nymph. Short twitches will attract baitfish. Ensure that your rod tip is pointed at the fly so that you can feel the fish; keep it low.
Many people will initially yank their fishing line upwards when they feel the fish. However, this will pull the hook out of the fish. Allow the fly to continue stripping behind the fish until the fish lands on your rod; then lift the rod tip to set the hook.
4. Study the Water and Zones
Study the water in the lake where you will be fishing. Trout will live in specific zone in the lake. For example, areas with weeds will have insects living in them.
Drop-offs will attract trout who like to roam the lake floor. Wind-blown points in the lake will attract insects who drift in the wind. If there are birds diving into the lake or if there is a rise in the same spot in the lake, anchor your boat in that location.
These areas have high chances of attracting trout. Ensure that the size, color and depth of your fly match the insect in the lake. Using a fly of the correct size but the wrong depth will result in the trout ignoring your fly.
5. Observe Trout Feeding Behavior
Observe the trout to determine whether they are breaking the surface of the water or feeding beneath the surface. If the trout are breaking the surface, use a dry fly. If the trout are feeding beneath the surface, use an emerger or a nymph fly.
Match the size of the fly first, then the color, and then the behavior of the insect in the water.
6. Correct Boat Positioning
Ensure that you position your boat correctly when you go stillwater fly fishing. Avoid anchoring your boat too close to where the trout are feeding because this will spook the fish.
The fishing spot should be where the trout are feeding but your boat should be in deeper waters. Use a drift sock or an anchor if the wind pushes your boat. Ensure that your fishing line has a natural drift because the trout will ignore unnatural movement of the fly.
Fish the specific zones in the lake where the trout are feeding. Trout will follow specific routes when they are feeding on a specific type of hatch. When you catch a fish, take note of its depth and structure.
Fish these areas methodically rather than casting your line into the water in random spots. Covering these specific zones methodically will ensure that your line is in front of more fish and increase the chances of your catch rate.