Three Top Tips When Fly Fishing Still Waters

Fly fishing small still waters can be a great task for even the most experienced anglers. In this article I'm going to share 3 top tips to fly fishing small still waters. Hopefully these few tips will help you increase your catch rate and have you catching fish even on the toughest of days. So lets begin!

Tip One:

Select the right equipment. (Always use the lightest gear possible when fishing)

Some anglers make the mistake of fishing with too heavy a rod, reel, line or flies. Choosing the right equipment is extremely important as I'm sure you know.

So how can having something like the wrong line effect your fishing? Simple lets stick to my example of a line for the moment. Fly line is totally different to normal fishing line. So if your fishing a small still water then a light line would be better suited. Using a lighter line when paired with the right rod and reel allows you to present the fly easier with less chance of spooking a fish.

Since it's a small still water chances are you wont need to cast great distances so this is another reason to use light equipment. Always use the lighest gear possible when fishing. The lighter the gear the greater the ease to fish with out spooking the fish. And once again chances are since it's a small water the fish have seen nearly every kind of fly, line and god knows what else was used to try catch them.

Tip Two:

Move around.

One mistake I see an awful lot is when an angler fishes a spot too long and some times all day. Every 20 minuets or so move a few feet and fish some where else.

First cover the water from left to right and start with short casts. After completing a movement of casting left to right start again with a longer cast. Also vary the depth your fishing the fly and the speed you are retrieving it. Then, move.

Start the same technique as above and when finished move again. The only time I would recommend not moving is when your catching fish constantly in the one area.

Tip Three:

Get some local knowledge!

Knowledge is everything. Try talk to some local anglers or even just stop into the local fishing tackle shop. Ask questions like the depth of the water, the flies that work well and anything else you want to know. Information on the water your fishing is one of the best ways to catch fish.

Knowing the water you are fishing is important. Locals will tell you what flies work well or where the best spot to fish is.

If you don't get to talk to some local anglers then before you fish take a few minuets to just walk around the area your going to fish. Take note of over hanging vegetation, underwater features if you can see them and most of all signs of fish.

Hopefully these few little tips may help improve your fishing. Tight lines!