Technique

Ripping Streamers IV: How To Fish The Swing

Justin Gear, Technique, Trout

In Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, I covered everything you need to know as to the why, and the how in terms of flies, sinking lines, and technique while fishing still water.

In the final installment of the Ripping Streamers series, it’s time to talk about “the swing”.

As you already know, streamer fishing is a different animal.  It’s not nymphing and it’s not dry fly fishing.  We’re offering up a protein-packed meal to hungry and aggressive fish.  Big fish.

And there’s not a lot of finesse involved.  I feel like a gladiator when I’m streamer fishing. read more

Ripping Streamers Part III: Sinking Lines

Justin Flies, Gear, Technique, Trout

What’s up, anglers?

I’m writing you after several recent and AWESOME days on the stream here in Colorado.  The weather has been incredible, and the trout are HUNGRY.  I can’t remember ever catching fish all day on a double dry fly rig in November.  It’s been insane, and I’m loving it!

But dry fly action isn’t what’s on my mind right now…  It’s streamer fishing.

The seasons are changing.  The time changed last weekend and winter is upon us. Fishing sub surface will be the ticket to landing tailwater trout for most of us until spring. read more

Ripping Streamers Part II: Getting Started

Justin Flies, Technique, Trout

In the first part of the “Ripping Streamers” series, I dropped some knowledge on why you should give streamer fishing a try.  And I know you’re getting excited to add this technique to your arsenal of tricks.

Let’s get down to business of the “how” part of streamer fishing.  I’ll start with what makes a streamer a “streamer”, then get into what they mimic in nature.  Finally I’ll cover general guidelines to get you started.

So what makes a streamer a streamer?  A streamer is any kind of fly that is weighted, either with a bead head, cone head, or weight tied in the body, that sinks below the surface, and which is retrieved with a twitch to represent a small bait fish or leech that is swimming in the water.  The key here is that it sinks, and often has feathers or some kind of fur or sparkles which when floating through the current moves and makes the pattern look more realistic. read more

Ripping Streamers

Justin Adventure, Technique, Trout

I can see the look on your face.  Ripping streamers?  You must be crazy.

That isn’t fly fishing, you’re thinking to yourself.  I used to feel the same way.

Let’s be real.  There are a lot of purists out there…  Some people will only fish with dry flies.  Some people are die hard about nymphing and will tell you that it’s infinitely more productive than dry flying and yada yada yada…

Everyone has their reasons for fishing they way they do.  It’s simple.  You like it, and for whatever reasons you do like your style of fishing, that’s what’s fun for you.  I get it.  And you won’t find me arguing with you either. read more

Find Your Water

Justin Technique

I read an interesting article recently that used a term I hadn’t ever heard of before.  The author calls it “blue lining”.

Intrigued by the title of the article, I soon realized that I knew exactly what he was talking about.

Blue lining is exploring in places where there isn’t easy access to the water in the drainage, in pursuit of wild trout.  Instead of driving to your destination, you drive as far as you can, and then you follow the blue lines on the map.  These blue lines are of course water. read more

Get Your Float On

Justin Gear, Nature, Technique

I can see you.  You’re standing at the edge of that lake.  And you can’t cast your line far enough to put your flies in front of feeding fish.  To make matters worse, there are bushes and trees behind you, making casting even more difficult.  Discouraged, you decide to wade out into the water a little further.

And just as you think you’re in range of those feeding fish…

You sink up to your knees in the mud, not thinking that the bottom of the lake doesn’t offer solid footing. read more

6 Reasons You Should Fish Private Water

Justin Adventure, Nature, Technique

When you look at a map, or go to your local fly shop to inquire about new fishing spots, it can be overwhelming.  I’ve been there.  I still go there sometimes.

There are tons of publicly accessible lakes, rivers, streams and creeks all over the state of Colorado which are full of fish. And there’s a lot of water to fish too, be it right around the corner from your house or office, or a short drive.  You might even hike a bit to get away from the crowds.

For years I only fished public water.  read more

How To Fish The Spring Runoff

Justin Nature, Technique

It’s that time of year again.  That’s right, spring is here.  It’s official.  And that means it’s time to fish!

As you drive across your favorite local river on the way to work, you may notice it beginning to swell.  It’s also turning darker in color with each passing day.

runoff2

It’s not secret that fishing the runoff can be a challenge.  A lot of us fly fishers will sit back and keep tying flies as if it’s still winter.  You think to yourself that that high and off color water isn’t great to fish.  You’ll just wait until the runoff has subsided.  Or maybe you’ll drink beer and eat bar food with your buddies while you watch the NCAA tournament. read more

19 Ways To Catch More Fish Than Your Buddies

Justin Technique

You’ve been here before. You’re out with one of your fishing buddies. It’s a gorgeous day, the flows are perfect, and the breeze is light and refreshing.

You’re knee deep in 45 degree water with the warm sun shining down on the back of your neck.

Staring at your fly box, you wonder what the trout are eating today. And then your buddy erupts with excitement. “FISH ON!!!”, he exclaims, with a big bend in his rod, and a huge smile on his face.

You set down your rod by the side of the river, and walk upstream to help your buddy land and net his fish. Then you snap a picture of him and the trout so he can post it on Facebook and Instagram for bragging rights. read more

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