17 Ways to Use Fly Fishing Equipment Guaranteed to Land a Steelhead

The first thing you need to know before even getting out your fly fishing equipment is where the trout are feeding. There is no point casting where the fish are not. Trout feed on the stream surface, near the surface and in the stream’s midsection a relatively small percentage of the time. They consume 75% of their total diet at or close to the bottom of the stream. If you can’t see a fish breaking the surface once in a while or the water boiling near the surface it’s pretty much a sure bet they are feeding near the bottom.

 

1. When you estimate the fish are feeding near the bottom, add a splitshot to help get your fly to the bottom.

2. Use a nymph net to sift out the various sections of the stream to see what insects are in the area.

3. Match the appropriate fly to the area hatch to entice the trout to strike.

4. When gripping the fly casting rod for an overhead cast lock your wrist straight and keep your elbow at your side. Your elbow should always stay at the same height, without bouncing up and down. 

5. Your cast should be perpendicular to your body and never from side to side. 

6. The fly needs to land directly in front of you as lightly as possible. 

7. If you suspect the trout are feeding on the surface, allow your fly to rest on the surface a couple seconds longer before retrieving it. 

8. Don’t overdo the backcast with your fly fishing equipment– this will scare the fish when your line hits the water behind you. 

9. Fish early in the morning when the wind is less active and the bugs are more active. 

10. Avoid heavily fished areas where there is less activity disturbing the trout, and where the fish are more likely to be wild and prefer insects over pellets. 

11. When your fly lands on the surface, use slightly jerky movements to simulate the movement of real insect. 

12. You can also cast out and allow the fly to drift downstream so it looks natural to the fish. 

13. When you feel a strike, respond immediately with your fly fishing equipment to set the hook firmly and quickly. 

14. Cross the stream at the same angle with each cast but allow it to land 3 – 5 feet longer each time so you cover the entire pool. 

15. Remove the slack in the line before you begin your cast. 

16. If your false casting feels right, do not change your timing and delivery with the final forward cast. 

17. Use the thumb on your rod hand in a quick forward move at the end of the cast to add more power.