Stalking Fish tips

Approach Outside the Cone of Visibility When stalking trout, approach from behind or stay low if approaching from the side or front, since the height of objects is exaggerated in the fish’s perspective. And remember that fish that are submerged can see you from farther away than fish that are close to the surface, due to the refraction of light by the water’s surface.

Think Position First Before you try a very difficult cast to a fish make sure that there is no way to get yourself into a better position. Putting yourself where you can make an easier cast and get a better drift is always time well spent.

Timing and Planning the biggest difference between trout fishing and fly fishing in saltwater is that in the ocean, fish are almost always moving and give you little time to strategize. When trout fishing, take advantage of the time you have to consider what the fish are eating and what position will give you the best, drag-free presentation. In saltwater, the challenge is to stay attentive and ready over long periods while hunting fish.

Walk Softly Fish are as sensitive to sound and vibration as they are to visual warnings. Walking lightly on the bank and wading without pushing water are important tactics. In saltwater, noisy or rocking boats and slamming cooler lids scare fish.

Prospecting and Blind Casting While prospecting in fresh water, fish the close water first. A common mistake is to cast over fish in the excitement of making a long cast. In saltwater, longer casts are usually better unless you are fishing to mangroves or a shoreline, where structure and changes in current matter most.

High Water During high water, fish often seek out the calmer current near the bank. Fish the slower, bank-side water from land before wading in.

Learning to See Fish Learn to see fish underwater by watching a released fish swim away. It will provide you clues about which parts of a fish are visible and which are not. Watch for for even the slightest bulge when looking for rising trout, and in saltwater “nervous water,” or water that has a slightly different surface texture, may indicate fish locations.

Sharing the Water On-the-water manners are simply summarized: if in doubt, err on the side of etiquette, and learn the local customs. Though on most trout streams anglers fish upstream, some rivers are best fished downstream. And while 25 yards may be acceptable separation on a spring creek, 100 yards may be the bare minimum on many major rivers. Fish density, the size of the water, and custom all play a part in determining what is acceptable. It pays to be patient and polite and be sure you are not moving into water that another angler is planning to fish.