Deep Trout Fishing:
I used to struggle with deep water when I first started fly fishing. I would be fishing and come upon a chasm of a hole or run and I just knew there were big trout deep in those depths. In fact, I was always sure the biggest baddest trout in the stream were down there. I’m still not convinced that they aren’t.
These deep trout are certainly worth targeting. You just need to switch up your tactics when you hit these sections of water.
To master the art of deep-water fly fishing is to understand and navigate this concealed aquatic landscape. Adding these techniques to your toolbox will lead you to many successful catches. I often employ these techniques when fishing for Redband Trout in southwest Idaho’s desert areas to great success.
In this guide we delve into the tactics for trout lurking in the depths, we’ll also explore the nuances of gear selection, fly choices, presentation techniques, and situational considerations that play pivotal roles in the quest to land these deep trout.
Understanding the Importance of Depth and Deeper Water:
Trout in deep holes and runs often position themselves at specific depths based on factors such as water temperature, current flow, and the availability of food sources. You will need to analyze your particular situation individually and implement the below strategies as needed.
Deep holes and runs, especially where a tributary enters the river or stream are considered thermal refuges. When the mercury is up trout survive the extreme heat by moving into these areas where water temps are often at a minimum a half a degree cooler but could be as much as six degrees Fahrenheit cooler.
Remember to effectively reach and entice these fish, it’s crucial to present your fly at the appropriate depth within the water column. Having said that your presentation also has to look natural. You can swing that fly right by his nose but if the trout can tell somethings off, he isn’t biting.
Next let’s look at adding more weight to get at trout holding deeper in the water column.
Adding More Weight:
This seems obvious, but is one of the biggest mistakes I made when I first started targeting deeper water. I would throw on a split shot and expect that to do that trick. The issue is that even though you think you are using enough weight you often need to add more.
You need to hit the bottom fairly quickly so that you are in the strike zone as long as possible. If you are not feeling your sinkers skip along the bottom then you likely do not have enough weight on your rig.
You will also get hung up. It’s just a natural part of bouncing weights or flies along the bottom. To make dealing with this easier use lighter tippet to connect your lead than you are using on the rest of your rig. When you do this the lighter tippet breaks off first so you only use your weight not the whole rig.
While the objective is to get your fly deeper more quickly, it’s essential to find that balance between weight and maintaining a natural presentation. Experiment with different weights to find the sweet spot that facilitates a rapid descent while preserving the lifelike movements of your fly.
Incorporating weighted flies and sink-tip lines into your portfolio can increases the speed at which your fly descends, allowing you to reach deeper water quickly. If you are fishing the spring see our list of best flies for spring trout one of these will likely meet your needs.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a magic formula for selecting how much weight we can use here and you need to put in the work. Experiment with different weighted flies, sinkers, and sink rates to find the optimal combination for the specific conditions you’re facing.
Starting Your Drift Sooner for Deeper Presentations:
One of the key strategies for targeting those deep trout is starting your drift sooner. This is a technique that can significantly enhance your chances of a hook up. By initiating the drift earlier, you allow your fly to sink deeper into the water column before reaching your targeted zone. This in turn increases the likelihood of attracting the attention of trout holding there.
To start your drift sooner, cast a couple yards upstream of your intended target.This will allow your fly to sink before it reaches the prime fishing zone.
By starting your drift sooner, you naturally extend the time your fly spends in the water. This in turn maximizes the opportunity for trout to notice and react to your presentation.
Extended drift is especially beneficial when fishing in areas with complex currents or varied depths.
The speed of the current can influence how quickly your fly sinks. In faster currents, initiating your drift sooner becomes even more critical. Anticipate the speed of the current and adjust your casting position and timing accordingly to ensure your fly reaches the desired depth before reaching the target area.
By starting your drift sooner, you empower yourself to effectively explore the depths and increase your chances of connecting with the elusive trout that inhabit these sanctuaries.
Lengthen Your Leader:
Lengthening of your leader is another valuable tactic. By extending your leader, you can exploit the dynamics of underwater currents to your advantage, ensuring that your fly reaches greater depths and also looks natural.
The leader acts as the connection between the fly line and the fly itself, and its length significantly influences the presentation of the fly.
In deep-water scenarios, a longer leader allows you to position the fly further away from the fly line, providing a more natural drift and increased depth penetration. This is particularly advantageous when targeting trout holding in the lower strata of deep holes or runs.
Tailoring the length of your leader to the specific water depth is key. Most guys use a 9-foot tapered leader. This is going to allow you to fish the top 4 feet or so of the pool. You will need to eye ball the run or pool and take a guess at how deep it is and how deep you actually want to go.
A good rule of thumb is that you want your leader to be one and half times the suspected depth. So, if you think the pool 8 feet deep than you are going to want to use a 12-foot-long leader. I recommend carrying different length leaders anytime you are fishing. This will make it so you do not have to build one from scratch each time you need to adjust.
While lengthening your leader provides benefits in terms of depth, it’s crucial to strike a balance between sensitivity and control. The longer the leader, the more challenging it can be to detect subtle strikes and maintain control over the fly. I recommend experimenting with leader lengths to find the optimal balance that both suits you and the conditions.
Lengthening the leader is a nuanced yet potent tactic in an angler’s toolkit and one every fly fisherman should leverage.
Navigating the Depths with Confidence:
As we conclude our exploration into the intricacies of deep trout fly fishing, we’ve gone over multiple tactics that will elevate your fly fishing skills.
The pursuit of elusive trout concealed in deep holes and runs demands not only skill but a strategic mindset. You need to analyze and adapt to each scenario you face.
From the use of weight to hasten the descent of your fly, to the art of initiating your drift sooner for deeper presentations, and the lengthening of your leader to navigate the depths with finesse, each strategy adds a layer of sophistication to your angling repertoire.
It’s a dance between the visible and the unseen, a harmony between the surface and the depths, where success is often influenced by the subtlest of changes.
Remember that mastery is a journey, not a destination. The strategies shared in this article serve as a foundation, a starting point for your own exploration and refinement. Every river, every hole, and every trout presents a unique challenge, inviting you to refine and adapt these tactics to suit the conditions at hand.
So, embrace the challenges that the depths present, and savor the thrill of a successful encounter with a deep-water trophy.
Tight lines, happy fishing, and may your next trip be filled with the excitement of hooking up with one of the elusive trout from the deep.
– Alpine Angler