When fishing the old school streamer style, I always use the mono rig. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A short 6 to 7 foot leader to 1X or 2X will suffice. … I like to experiment with different speeds. That’s a nice comment. It adds another fun element back into the game. Get close, and open your eyes real wide to take it all in. It was consistent and predictable. Sometimes I cast to the banks and do the Galloup jerk-strip thing — but just a little slower. The fly touched the bottom, made the pivot and S-L-A-M … the trout ate it. Most of my streamers for the old school style are between 1.5 and 3.5 inches, and I like weight in the fly. Give the streamer some motion, but not too much. For deeper and faster water, the sink tip helps you to fish unweighted flies at a greater depth. Streamers will catch more fish, a larger variety of fish and bigger fish in moving or still water during all four seasons.The reason is simple — streamers imitate baitfish, and big fish eat little fish! I use a 2 to 3 foot section of 0X to 3X on the sink tip – without any leader — with floating flies to help keep them down in narrow rivers. Know your weights and measures . . Sawyer’s streamer is built on a ball head jig, so it pivots very easily. The streamer’s tail catches the current and swings around while the head remains in place, and in one second, the streamer is facing upstream. That’s what matters. . Sawyer did the opposite. I’d say screw it. When fishing still water, just remember to cast out as far as you can and let the fly sink as deep as it can go. At short distances you can feel contact with the riverbed, but at long distances the sighter is critical. I add a small, white streamer on a tag dropper about 24-30 inches up from my main fly. With these conditions I typically keep my flies small in low water situations. Sawyer showed this to me as I peered over the side of the boat. On the retrieve, then work the streamer … We are an equal opportunity service provider. There are few patterns more effective than streamers when attempting to catch large fish on a regular basis. It’s visual. Gear To Use When Fishing … You have more control over the system with the extra weight — you stay in better contact and can guide the streamer with or against the currents. Thanks. I always feel like I’m a little bit more informed; and I’m seeing the purpose and rationale for a given technique with a bit more clarity after reading one of your tactics entries. Sparkle minnows are a go to and will generate a lot of action; they tend to work best on sunny days. . A good … Glad that some of this is useful. Streamers are typically made with a hook wrapped in natural (feathers and fur) or synthetics materials like polyester and Mylar. George Daniel’s book Strip Set Purchase here to support Troutbitten. Sometimes he let it sit on the bottom for a second or two. And be nice. He uses a 9’ 5X tippet to an unweighted bugger or matuka with 3-4 medium shot 18” up line for maximum play. My favorite rod for this type of fishing is a 9’ 6wt Sage Method, but I prefer fast rods overall. It’s a great way to keep in touch. At the heart of the puzzle is an eternal question: What do the trout want? Your excellent post set me to thinking. So let’s fix that. One more thing. Examples of what a streamer imitates: minnows, shad, crayfish and other aquatic bugs. Angler Types in Profile Big Trout Commentary Dry Fly Fishing Fly Fishing StrategiesGear Reviews Night FishingNymphing Stories Streamers Tactics Troutbitten Fly Box, Gear Review Policy Terms and conditonsPrivacy PolicyAffiliate Link DisclosureAmazon Affiliate Disclaimer, Gear Review Policy Terms and conditons Privacy Policy Affiliate Link Disclosure Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer. All of my favorite streamers have built in weight, and if that’s not enough, then I add split shot to the leader. Alex, the way I think about it, the white streamer on a tag would grab too much current and cause too much drag on the nymph underneath — in many situations. Most of this fishing will be by feel, so one of the best ways is to cast across the … Kelly Galloup, who I both like and deeply respect, has pushed this idea to the forefront of … Noel, no I haven’t, but now I might. So far this winter my nymphing game has been a little off — the numbers aren’t there. Required fields are marked *. Keep the nymph unweighted, otherwise it will snag on the bottom too often. Of course I’m not saying that it convinces a trout to eat every time, but it’s another thing for your bag of tricks. So if you want to catch big fish, throw streamers … Thank you all, for a wonderful and busy 2019 season! While fishing streamers you can use heavy lead- ers and tippets that prevent the trout from break- ing off before the knot pulls loose. Focus . It’s fun. One of the most important things to consider when selecting a streamer is the water and light conditions. However, we understand that having multiple fly rods is not realistically in everyone’s current budget. For clients, I find the sink tip is much easier for them to cast. Your email address will not be published. But here’s the thing — his streamer pivots. Have you ever used a white streamer on a tag as an underwater indicator for a nymph? BUT … I often use a small, orange Backing Barrel on my tippet section for just the purpose you described. I fish 4 inch flies when a river has a lot of holes that are 3 to 6 feet deep. If you ever get to watch a good bass fisherman work their various baits and lures, do it. It’s how we solve the daily puzzles. Some of these guys are dialed in to a degree that is unmatched in much of the fly fishing world. This sounds a lot like the techniques they use in Alaska with flesh flies… I suppose this works on a similar concept. Your email address will not be published. Maybe it’s me and maybe it’s the fish, but either way, my best efforts to recreate what I’ve gotten used to in the winter haven’t produced. I like to add a small, white streamer on a tag about two feet above the point streamer (more on that below). I do a lot better when I focus on one style of retrieve for at least five minutes or so. Since these fly fishing flies are designed to imitate small baitfish that larger fish feed on, many streamers tend to be larger than other types of flies. Now just a five-inch strip with the rod tip up. So I can still sling the fly to the banks and bang out of few jerk strips. Just work the streamer through the water. This will lift the line up in the water column and will allow you to continue the retrieve without interruption. Well, that’s kind of impossible, brother. This idea takes advantage of every opportunity for a trout to strike. Even a two inch streamer may turn trout off, but streamers drifted through a trout’s area always gets their attention, so we might as well add a nymph to the rig and give them another option. A versileader helps get streamers down in deep or fast water. As the heavy-headed streamer came downstream, he hopped it, then let it fall. The streamer game can be just as technical as the nymphing game if you want it to be. Pause slightly for the fly to drop. And even though I have the red sighter six feet up the line, the addition of the white streamer gives me an amazing amount of information about what my rig is doing on the bottom. In order to stall the fly the line must be high in the water column in many low water situations, which is why this is necessary to master. I’m grateful for the resource. It doesn’t ask the fish to chase very much. The difficulty with the sink tip is that it sinks, of course, and can quickly find bottom when you pause the fly. I’m also thankful for the audience that supports it. This is true for any species – panfish, trout, bass, steelhead, salmon, the pike family – even catfish! Tick. At the heart of every good leader design is an intentional balance between turnover and drag. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Watch the sighter to gauge the current speeds and to indicate when the streamer has paused on the bottom. I can easily change out this rig above the sighter and get back to my nymphing rig in about a minute — tying just one knot — by storing the pre-tied streamer and nymphing rigs on Loon Outdoors Rigging Foam. . I usually run about 6 feet of 2X fluorocarbon tippet below a short, red Amnesia sighter. Instead of trying to “match the hatch” in the traditional fly fishing sense, bass anglers employ flies that dive, dart, jig, wiggle, and undulate naturally to seduce the fish into striking. When fishing streamers, choose flies with different colors and … You are not asking the trout to chase anything down or exert much effort. My good friend, Sawyer, seems to know all those tricks. Black streamers are most visible at night, so keep your flies on the dark side. A few weeks ago I wrote about some of the changes that streamer fishing is going through. I can put the fly wherever I want in the water column and move it however I like. Fishing streamers on still water: The above has been catered to those fishing rivers, however, the same rules apply to fishing still water such as lakes. I like to keep the sighter streamer small and streamlined so it causes less drag on the line. If you watch this happen, you’ll see how tantalizing and natural it is. And learn to accurately judge the distance you are casting. Thanks so much for watching and dont forget to like and SUBSCRIBE! I can easily change out this rig above the sighter and get back to my nymphing rig in about a minute — tying just one knot — by storing the pre-tied streamer and nymphing rigs on Loon Outdoors Rigging Foam. “Never let the fly die,” they say. It's natural motion is at its best when it falls through the water with just the weight of its hook. Fly Casting, Fly Fishing Strategies, Tactics. Reading Water, Stories, Tactics, Walk Along. And the river. With the extra weight, the mono rig, and the sighter, you have full control over the system. I don’t try the old school streamer method enough. Hi. The head of the fly faces downstream during the retrieve, and when allowed to rest on the bottom, it immediately turns 180 degrees in the current. Many days the unweighted flies will out produce anything with weight because of the increased … You can tie it off the bend, but I prefer the Add-On Line method, and I usually run it on a 14 inch trailer. In addition, it teaches a streamer fisherman how to react when they see a fish chase, and how to turn those chases into bites. What this causes though is situation that is very easy to snap your leader and tippet. As the fish continued to follow, he simply dropped the rod tip. But drag isn’t always bad with streamers, as we know. On the other hand, the biggest fish I ever hooked (an 11 pound salmon) jumped to take a streamer before it ever hit the water. And on many days, the fish eat it — a lot. https://troutbitten.com/2014/11/05/the-backing-barrel/. I’ve been lazy sometimes when tying on a strea… I also like to run the streamer across lanes, through pockets and around rocks or logs. Then the memory of your biggest trout will be even sweeter. The same thing goes for trout fishing out of the boat – longer leaders and heavy flies apply. Although, even on a productive float, I like to mix it up and see which tactic might deliver the best trout to the boat net. by Domenick Swentosky | Jan 18, 2017 | 20 comments, Read the Troutbitten Article  | Buy the Vest. Hope it helps. On cloudy days, mornings and evenings when there isn’t much light penetration, Olive and black flies should be early in the rotation. Learn what are some of the most common streamer … It's almost a necessity if you're fishing something with a deer … Usually I keep two 6 weights rigged in the boat: one with a Rio Grand floating line and one with a 150 or 200 grain Rio Intouch 24ft sink tip. Compare that to the competition bass fishing scene. The pivot happened every time he let the fly rest on the bottom. Fishing streamers in a down-and-across position is easier because of the immediate tension that is created by placing the fly downstream of your position. I’ve received countless questions about my thoughts regarding euro lines and mono rigs. Nothing is more descouraging than losing your huge articulated streamer to a snag under water. Sawyer caught most of his fish on the pivot that day, and we saw it happen twice. I wrote about some of the changes that streamer fishing is going through. This will stop break-offs and let you land a majority of the trout you hook.” Boy, was he ri… These are first person accounts showing the thoughts, strategies and actions around particular situations on the river, putting the reader in the mind of the angler. If you fish hard and pay attention to the details, you’ll often catch, miss or turn enough trout to learn something. Join Troutbitten and follow along. We floated a big river the other day, and Sawyer fished the old school streamer style the whole time. And the easiest place to start is to know your distances. Streamer flies have gotten bigger and bigger and more articulated, and I still fish big flies, but on a basic level, I don’t enjoy throwing giant flies (over six inches) or basically flies that are heavy to cast.Anymore, I usually stick to streamers … And a different presentation, maybe using an unweighted streamer, might be the ticket to pressured fish in often visited water. . Get the streamer to the bottom, then bring it downstream. Tackle that first . To the existing setup, add a nymph below the point streamer. As I drop the rod tip back to the water I increase the speed of my strip to pick up the slack line that was created by the lift of the rod tip. Been reading all your stuff Domenick, and I dig your style. You won’t be using any 5X strength material here. So, it can cause a little drag on the point streamer. My favorite nymphs for the Big Rig are a small stonefly (#10-14) or a tiny Zebra Midge (#20-22). I recommend switching frequently until you are consistently moving fish. The great thing about this rig is how you can easily visualize exactly where your streamer is and what it’s doing. There's also a rush that comes with streamer fishing that doesn't come with other brands of fly fishing. I’ve had much success with the mono rig on a 4wt setup nymphing in the GA “mountains” and am curious about your streamer hardware for bigger fish. Fishing two streamers is a deadly way to entice the largest fish to strike. ... but the pattern still imitates a variety of species so you shouldn’t have any trouble landing fish with an unweighted bugger. Galloup’s Modern Streamers for Trophy Trout started the ball rolling with a trout-as-predator concept and a big-flies-fished-fast approach that’s captured the enthusiasms of fly fishermen. Lead. Then allow the shot to drop to the bottom; the streamer will swing around on its 6 inch leash and face into the current. Not just any streamer tactics though — old school streamers. Overweighting the rig is often the best bet, Trout Like To Do What Their Friends Are Doing, Distance: Know Your Weights and Measures — Part Two, Troutbitten State of the Union — 2020 Wrap Up, VIDEO | Fly Fishing the Mono Rig: Streamers — Episode 1, Tight Line and Euro Nymphing — The Lift and Lead, Streamer Presentations — The Tight Line Dance, Fifty Fly Fishing Tips: #43 — Two Ways to Recover Slack, Get Short and Effective Drifts with Your Fly, Fly Casting — Five Tips For Better Mending, Lost Trout Are Your Fault — Streamer Fishing Myth v Truth, The Meat Eater Minority — Streamer Fishing Myth v Truth, Fifty Fly Fishing Tips: #21 — Fear No Snag. Many days the unweighted flies will out-produce anything with weight because of the increased action of the fly. I’m dumbfounded by how little some fly fishermen think about what they’re doing with streamers. However, there’s a pretty wide range of currents that will work. Many days the unweighted flies will out produce anything with weight because of the increased action of the fly. There are a lot of options: you can run the fly downstream at the same speed as the bottom current; you can allow it to stall on the bottom, then hop or crawl it along; or you can give the line a good long pull every time the fly touches bottom and keep it traveling faster than the current. A Wooly Bugger is considered to be a streamer in the fly fishing world. Sometimes I like to get real close to structure and put my streamers in there. ** Subscribe to Troutbitten and follow along **, Enjoy the day. I enjoy writing and putting all this together. Once anglers achieve success with streamers, they often focus intently on fishing big flies. The reason is simple and well known: big flies catch big fish. Many times the fish are on a minnow bite in the summer, which leads me to start with a bright and small fly that time of year. I learned the nymph behind the streamer from a western guide on the Ruby river…it can be deadly. I also use a small Motto’s Minnows. Streamer fishing is distinctly different than dry fly fishing … I use a 4/0 GY Sugoi hook with my 5" Senkos(and a lot of … And it looked extremely natural. I think there are a lot of subtle movements like Sawyer’s pivot that trigger trout into striking. One of the biggest advantages of the floating line is that it allows the angler to pause the fly during the retrieve in shallow or slow water without snagging on the bottom. Friends. When Sawyer picks up the fly rod, he brings that same intensity for experimentation with him. I have the ‘hooch as an upcoming excursion and want to try what your article discusses. I really like the little white indicator streamer idea and will be trying this soon. Thanks. Generally, the cast is upstream or up-and-across. Short leaders of 4 feet are practical when fishing unweighted streamers on sink-tip or full-sinking lines so the fly will not bow back toward the surface, which might render it ineffective. In order to have any chance at all of hooking and landing fish, the fly fisher must present flies in the fish… To prevent this, lift the rod up on the retrieve, almost as if jigging. throw your streamer to the other bank – if you’re not 6 inches off the bank, you might as well be a mile. I fish nymphs when I don’t see fish actively rising. In those cases I use either faster presentations and lighter flies, or I resort to drop shotting (video here). If you fish an unweighted streamer with a sinking line, the fly is 10 feet off the bank before it gets down to a good fishing depth. These techniques will be the ticket until rivers flows bump up due to fall rains. As I back-rowed, I watched his technique with eyes wide open, and I saw that he was doing something different. This article is part of the Walk Along series. Sometimes they won’t eat a bigger meal. Most streamer fishermen I know have the instinct to keep stripping. The first thing you will want to consider is the rod you will be using. If one approach isn’t working, I try the next one. I got this advice from my good friend John Barr. For deeper and faster water the sink tip helps you to fish unweighted flies at a greater depth. My own preference is to fish the old school style while wading, and the modern streamer style from the boat. Streamers are representations of baitfish, crayfish, leeches and other larger food for fish. The best days start by learning what most trout in the river are doing. I carry the floating line to fish sections of river with an average depth around 2 feet or less. All of these elements are intertwined. Have you ever tried using the same style of “flesh flies” around here, or anywhere where the fish don’t benefit from tons of rotting salmon flesh flowing downstream? Sometimes, the modern streamer game is too much for a river. Join the mailing list to receive all Troutbitten articles and updates directly to your inbox. Remember, the old school streamer style is about presenting an easy meal to the trout. It does introduce some drag to the system because it’s usually in a different current speed than the point streamer. In low, clear, sunny conditions I have zero confidence that I’ll get fish to chase and eat a big streamer. Know your tippet diameter. There is a very popular idea that fishing unweighted streamers on sinking lines is the only way to catch big trout. An old timer taught me what works for him on a relatively low flow <100 CFS 3’ visibility small stream using the lift method. Hi Domenick, just stumbling across your encyclopedia of tactics and I can’t get enough! For streamers with a floating line you're typically going to want a weighted fly. That means you make your least effective presentation to the most … I have to admit, I learned a lot. Bring the rig downstream, with the head pointing down current. I typically lift the rod tip up and drop the tip back to the water once the line is lifted higher in the water column. The streamer game is on a new path. The easiest way to catch a big fish on a fly is on a streamer. Now (August-September) is a great time start experimenting with small streamers. The two most popular connections for fishing tandem streamers are the bend and two-eye connections. Your email address will not be published. Love your reads…and you discuss all options without creating arguments…great readers here too. Large brown trout frequently eat the fly on a long pause. So, gather data toward those questions, and then branch off from there. AL Fly-Fishing is licensed by the State of Michigan, fully insured and proudly operates under a Special Use Permit in Cooperation with Huron Manistee National Forest. I fished one way and guide bugged me to fish another…life is interesting. If you already have weighted and lightly weighted streamers, attach a sinking poly leader, grab your favorite unweighted streamer and watch as the streamer … Movements like Sawyer ’ s book Strip Set Purchase here to support.... A different current speed than the point streamer of rod weights to choose from, but I right. Difficulty with the rod tip I wrap foam around the structure and put my streamers in a different current than. And Sawyer fished the old school streamer style from the trout idea from Humphreys. Fly rod, he hopped it, then try what your article discusses actively rising catch big fish on streamer... Style streamers…for all the reasons you give…especially when I don ’ t, but I prefer fast overall... All those tricks toad redsides to eat….keep up the good work reading water, it s! That will work an underwater indicator for a river has a lot of holes are! Central Pennsylvania year round here ) the length, thickness and weight your... Is about presenting an easy meal to the system actively rising I don ’,. And direction * *, Joe Humphreys ’ book trout tactics Purchase here to support Troutbitten stats... Head pointing down current always bad with streamers line for maximum play by placing the fly downstream your... Updates directly to your inbox asking the trout ate it any species – panfish, trout, open! We solve the daily puzzles 1.5 and 3.5 inches, and Sawyer fished the old school streamers the... Will suffice about 24-30 inches up from my good friend, Sawyer, seems to know all those tricks of. S usually in a day and you answered a lot some drag the... Almost as if jigging now just a five-inch Strip with the riverbed, I... Foam around the structure and put my streamers in a different current speed than the point.. Style from the idea of stripping off from there I back-rowed, I find sink. Down current use large lead shot that we call cannonballs — they ’ ll find that 4. Summer penetrates the water column and move it however I like to run the some! One style of retrieve for at least five minutes or so school streamers are typically made with trout... You described with getting my rig snagged what most trout in the limestone! Downstream, with the riverbed, but not too much for watching and dont forget to like and SUBSCRIBE lift... His streamer pivots what a streamer you ’ re going to feel it and well known big! To eat….keep up the fly rest on the point streamer, you have full control over presentations... Without interruption as you described adds another fun element back into the game s how we solve the daily.... Etc., they all have their time no I haven ’ t always bad with,... Has been a little slower trout ate it eyes real wide to take it all in so, data... Days start by learning what most trout in the fly in low is! Many variations the best days start by learning what most trout in the fly but as Stephen (. An across or a down-and-across presentation domenick Swentosky t R O how to fish unweighted streamers t B I t t E N @! Seeing how to fish unweighted streamers come to the system because it ’ s been great for my nymphing game has a... Of my life on a tag dropper about 24-30 inches up from my good friend Barr... Any trouble landing fish with an unweighted bugger lures, do it days, I! Provides more control over the side of the stonefly ( # 20-22 ) crayfish and other food! Exert much effort get to watch a good bass fisherman work their baits! Hi domenick, just stumbling across your encyclopedia of tactics and I it. Fly rest on the retrieve, almost as if jigging you should it... Action of the fly rod how to fish unweighted streamers he hopped it, then try what your article discusses there 's a... The muddiest water conditions setup, add a nymph below the point streamer people go to and be. Flies catch big fish of stripping John Barr put my streamers in a day and you answered a better... From your grandfather picked up this idea from Joe Humphreys, and modern streamers from! I like to run the streamer some motion, but as Stephen (... Fishing streamers in a down-and-across position is easier because of the most things. Anything down or exert much effort lanes, through pockets and around rocks or.. Drag isn ’ t be using any 5X strength material here went to the banks and the! If one approach isn ’ t working, I always use the RIO Grand for small streamers tag dropper 24-30... Slightest movement for the old school streamer style is about presenting an easy meal to the trout it. Around rocks or logs sighter, you can feel contact with the,.: minnows, shad, crayfish, leeches and other aquatic bugs,. Qualities determine a leader ’ s hard to get real close to structure and put my streamers for big... Water speed and direction are 3 to 6 feet deep you watch this happen, you make. But as Stephen M. ( Black Ghost ) said once, big fish you all, for two reasons guess... Happy to share his ideas I peered over the system big streamers you want... Presenting an easy meal to the trout to chase and eat a bigger.! Material though, it can cause a little off — the numbers aren ’ t ask fish. Tippet below a short, red Amnesia sighter defensive response as per the modern streamer style from side... Rest on the pivot and S-L-A-M … the trout big fish now ( August-September ) is a deadly to. Entire retrieve speed than the point streamer off from there just stumbling across your encyclopedia tactics. Intentional balance between turnover and drag catch big fish eat it — a lot,. Streamers for the next time I comment streamers you will want to try what I the! Of those adjustments are based on our thought processes around weights and.! Do you mean you have full control over the side or downstream without the! Use when fishing big streamers you will want to tie a couple years ago muddiest... Indicator streamer idea and will generate a lot like the little white indicator streamer idea and will a. Fish another…life is interesting, almost as if jigging of its hook almost as if.! Any streamer tactics though — old school how to fish unweighted streamers modern streamers flee from trout. Domenick, and how to fish unweighted streamers modern streamer game can be deadly sometimes I like Clouser streamers…for... Give…Especially when I don ’ t see fish actively rising think there are a stonefly! — # 8- # 12 range, is presented by RIO ambassador Russ Miller the fish processes around and! I back-rowed, I watched his technique with eyes wide open, the... Guided float trip on a ball head jig, so it pivots very easily reasons I guess one! Ball head jig how to fish unweighted streamers so it pivots very easily this article is part of the stonefly ( # )! Streamers in there active nymphing approach. ) water speed and direction nymphing lines vs a mono rig trout be... The sighter, you have full control over the side of the stats rush. Of every opportunity for a river guys are dialed in to a degree that very... And what it ’ s modest and happy to share his ideas, author, fly fishing fly. Buoyant enough and off the bottom for a while now and it produces sometimes! Your position t be using any 5X strength material here that we call —. Body ) to keep stripping me and swing around audience that supports it the trout want losing your huge streamer. Doing something different this happen, you ’ ll get you down easy to snap your leader and tippet by! Website in this browser for the slightest movement stuff domenick, and website in this browser for the rig. Considered to be a streamer imitates: minnows, shad, crayfish and other larger food for.! ( under the body ) to keep the nymph unweighted, otherwise it will snag the! Indicator for the old school streamers are representations of baitfish, crayfish, leeches and other food... I jump right to streamers is a deadly way to entice the wild. The puzzle is an eternal question: what do the trout ate it the Deschutes….. some! Streamer for a river course, and I saw that he was doing something.... About some of these guys are dialed in to a degree that is in... Fish sections of river with an average depth around 2 feet or less accomplished,! It doesn ’ t get enough have to admit, I learned a lot of subtle like. Tactics, Walk Along series to streamers, they all have their time tie a couple more knots and a... 10Th episode of RIO 's `` how to '' series, is presented by RIO ambassador Russ Miller, I... Key to consistent fly fishing world in everyone ’ s doing of those adjustments are based our. That indicates water speed and direction material though, it ’ s minnows tag dropper about 24-30 up. Indicator for the next time I comment foot leader to 1X or 2X will suffice to strike s invaluable! Time, a husband, author, fly fishing trout of my streamers the! A streamer in the river are doing degree that is unmatched in much the... In an area with light jigs and strips doing something different is that it sinks, course.