Dry fly fishing is an exhilarating way to catch trout; it’s all about watching a fish rise and inhale your offering. It’s no mistake that most fly fishing films feature a skilled fisherman launching an entire spool of fly line across the river to a rising fish. While this involves skill and creates an awesome shot, mainstream fly fishing culture has created intimidation and hesitancy around dry fly fishing when, in reality, you don’t need to make the hero cast to catch fish. Honestly, some of the best action is right under your rod tip, you just don’t know it yet. Here are a few tips to make dry fly fishing simple and easy.
Keep your rig simple: You’ve likely done the research and studied up on several different dry fly rigs. Of course, there’s the dry dropper and double dry. While those two fly rigs are undoubtedly effective, it takes advanced skill to cast and fish those rigs properly. The best tangle-free option is a simple one-fly rig. Even with just one dry, you still have a shot at landing a giant. In terms of components, a 10 foot-tapered leader is ideal. Simply tie 3x to 4x to 5x using blood knots, and you’ll be all set up. Speaking of leader/tippet we've got you covered with some below!
Master the short game: As we mentioned, most fish are right under your rod tip. The longer the cast, the more variables to consider and line to manage. This can make presenting the fly difficult. As a rule of thumb, try a few drifts directly under your rod tip before you begin casting further. Don’t be surprised when a healthy trout comes out of nowhere to inhale your offering right in front of you. To master the short game, you’ll need to adopt the roll cast. This easy cast is ideal for short-range fishing and close-quarters casting when there’s virtually no back-casting space. To properly roll cast, start with your line on the water, rod grip at eye level, and rod tip angled slightly behind you. The line and rod should form a D-shaped loop facing behind you. With the D loop ready, simply flick your wrist forward while extending your arm. The cast should land 3-5 feet in front of you. Although it doesn’t go far, it gets the fly exactly where it needs to be.
Present the fly upstream: An upstream approach is a great way to reduce the work you must put in for a proper presentation. Stand below your intended target and cast upstream to use this method effectively. Once the fly hits the water, allow the current to bring your fly back downstream. As the fly flows down, strip your line to stay in direct contact with your fly.
Carry plenty of options: While presentation is crucial, a large aspect of success revolves around fly choice. Choosing the right dries for the job can be difficult. Luckily, we've got you covered. Prepare for your next dry fly outing with our midge dry fly pack.
Focus on conducive areas: If you want to catch fish, you must focus on fishing in the right spots. The best place to fish a dry is in a fast riffle. In areas where the water moves fast, fish have very little time to inspect your fly, forcing them to decide in a split second.