Dry Fly - Bank Fishing

Most bank water is not worth fishing. It lacks depth for cover or current to deliver food. You want to find a bank that drops off abruptly two to three feet deep, with a current that is not boiling but is brisk enough to carry food along, this is where you will find trout.

Many of the best trout holding banks are studded with fallen boulders, or have undercuts and indentations. Where overhanging brush or trees protects such lies, they’re harder to fish, but much more likely to hold the big boys.

Your approach to such bank water should be from down stream. Rock-hop along the shore, staying out of the water if you can. When you have to get in, then stay as close to the shore as you can to avoid sending any wading waves ahead of you. Fish upstream with short casts. With longer casts, you cannot place your fly precisely enough.

When you can’t cast your fly into or under overhanging obstacles try this trick, go around upstream and attach your dry fly on the very edge of a large leaf and set it down in the water letting out enough line so the current will float it under the obstacle. When your fly is over the spot where you want to fish, give a quick tug on your fly and it should tear out of the leaf and float enticingly to a waiting trout.

Trout see lots of variety tumble in from shore. They make quick decisions. They’ll take high-floating and visible dressings.

In salmon fly time try an Improved Sofa Pillow or Stimulator.

In caddis time, choose an Elk Hair Caddis or Deer Hair Caddis.

When hoppers are out, fish bank water with grasshopper patterns.

You can also fish banks using a dry fly from a boat but you should know this, friction slows the current tight against the bank where you want your dry fly to drift. The water out where you drift in your boat moves faster. You have to cast your dry fly ahead of the boat, so that the boat slowly catches up with it. This gives you slack and a long drag-free drift. If you cast behind your boat, its speed will draw your line tight, and you’ll have drag almost instantly.

Try to keep one eye out for possible holding lies that are coming up and the other eye on your fly. It’s a great way to make contact with some of the biggest trout in the river.

FISH-ON! Cookster