Streamside Blog

Tactics to Find and Catch Stillwater Trout

When approaching a stillwater, you have to think about searching for the fish in three dimensions. The next step is establishing the preferred retrieval speed and fly profile that results in takes.

In this article, we will discuss three tactics to achieve this: fan-casting, counting the depth (with floating and sinking lines), and finding the correct retrieve speed. The fly choice can be dialed in if you catch enough fish to establish a pattern, before that you will choose various flies with different profiles.

If you need more information about how to find a rainbow and brown trout stillwater venue in South Africa, we wrote an article covering everything you need to know. It’s a good place to start and forms part of this stillwater series of articles.

Searching Rig

Start your day by using three flies with variations in profiles (see diagram below). For example, your top fly can be a slow-sinking fly of medium size (blob, small minky, scruffy gold ribbed hares ear, etc.), your second fly something small (buzzer, cormorant, diawl bach, small gold ribbed hares ear, small pheasant tail nymph, small wooly bugger, etc.) and your third fly something bigger with a bit of weight (large woolly bugger, size 10 gold ribbed hares ear, etc.).

Choose flies you have confidence in and think about the color choice. For example, choose flies that have a similar color to the watergrass the dam might have or if the water is dirty choose darker colors that would stand out.

Fan casting

Using a fan casting strategy you can establish if fish are near the bank (or your tube/boat) or further away. It also allows you to cover a wide arc and establish where the fish are in your immediate surroundings. The diagrams below illustrate casting nearby first and slowly extending your casts outwards.

Counting the Depth

Together with fan casting, you should use a counting strategy with each cast. This technique will enable you to slowly work your way down the bottom and establish what depth the fish are holding at. When fishing off a bank, it is better to start with a floating line and a slow intermediate or hover line from a boat or float tube. If you establish that the fish are holding close to the bottom, you can change to a line that will quickly get your flies to that depth and keep your flies in the zone. The diagram below will help you choose a line.

Various Retrieves and Fishing the Hang

While searching an area and covering various depths, vary the retrieval speeds and types. It is often best to start with slower retrieves and then move on to more variable and faster retrieves. A roly-poly double-hand style retrieve is often a good choice as you have maximum contact with the flies and it is easy to vary the retrieve from slow to fast.

Below we will display the following retrieves in short video clips and briefly describe their key features: the fast long strip, the slow long strip, the figure eight, the slow roly-poly, and the hang.

The Fast Long Strip

This retrieve allows you to move the fly in short bursts of speed with a jerky motion. To add additional movement, jerk the rod tip from side to side while stripping.

The Slow Long Strip

This retrieve allows great contact with smaller flies and gives the flies a slow-rising motion which imitates emerging aquatic insects.

The Figure Eight

Often one of the first retrieves fly fisherman learn is the figure eight. This versatile retrieve gives flies continuous motion with short bursts of speed and allows the angler to speed up and slow down the flies seamlessly. The video below also illustrates retrieving from a low position. Your strike detection will improve if your rod trip has a straighter angle with your fly line.

The Slow Roly-Poly (or Fast)

This retrieve requires both hands and gives you the best contact with your flies. It also allows you to slow down or speed up the retrieve by making the motion smaller or bigger. Another benefit is a visual aid in strike detection, by hanging the line in a bow during the retrieve (see rod tip video below). Once the bow in the line tightens from a fish taking the fly you can often see the take before feeling it.

Fishing the Hang

Hanging the flies after each retrieve will improve your catch rate substantially. The Hang allows you to slow down the flies right at the end of the retrieve before re-casting. It also allows you to change the direction of the flies to ensure the fish is not looking straight at you near the bank or the boat. Often this sudden pause or change of direction right at the end of the retrieves will result in the fish taking the flies.