Advice Please

[warrdogg]

Hi y'all. Thank you in advance.

I am looking for some advice. I have been fly fishing for 2.5 years and I have not been doing very well. In that time I have caught 6 trout in total. At first I enjoyed the whole process of going out even when I would come up empty. It was new and was putting in time to learn a new skill.

I have to admit that I am getting a bit (a lot) frustrated with most of my trips are a bust. Not even a bite. Yesterday spent 6 hours on the Little Red Deer and all I caught was a full bag of trash I picked up along the banks.

When I first started I took a course to learn the basics after a friend introduced me to flyfishing. I watch videos and read books. I really don't know what I can do. I practice casting and believe I am decent now.

I have tried Elk Creek, Little Red Deer, Three Isle, Red Deer, Dogpound, Highwood, Oldman. Only had success at Three Isle and Little Red Deer. Most of these places I have visited multiple times and the day usually ends with me coming up empty.

I am beginning to question the saying "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work."

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

[chinchaga07]

The best piece of advice I could give you is stick with it. I have been fly fishing for over 30 years and still have days you describe. Some of the water you named are/can be finicky creeks at the best of times.

The best piece of advice I ever received was watch before you fish. Study the water, the bugs coming off at certain times of the year, time and date you are out etc...and keep track of this info. All of this will honestly help unlock each creeks little secret. Once you can figure it out, the fishless days become few and far between (but will still happen).

Other things that can assist you is search articles, videos, local advice on the watersheds you fish..not necessarily where but how in terms of hatches, best times.

When I first started out I also enlisted the services of a guide for a day. I learned more in that day then I would have on my own in a month of fishing the water I was guided on. Since then I have been able to take what I have learned on that particular river, tweak it and be successful on other watersheds.

And yes A Horrible Day Fishing still beats a good day at Work.

Good luck to you.

[Flymph]

Just a few thoughts: (1) Most of the time, fish are interested in subsurface nymphs. This is true even when you might see a few fish rising. The vast majority of my time fishing is with two nymphs on a short line. Turn over a bunch of rocks and try to duplicate size and color of the dominant nymph. Or, talk to the local fly shop about the best nymph options.

(2) I prefer "Jello" water! Water that is at least 2-3 ft deep or more and has a slow to medium riffle. I often take water temps and will not fish if the surface temp is 65f or greater!!!

(3) Try (not easy) to find water that has not been fished hard. That is, good holding water that hasn't been fished for at least a day or two. Keep in mind that a lot of folks tie on a Stimulator dry fly that they fish almost exclusively. Not a bad idea to politely wait for these people to fish through a good pool, rest the pool for 20 minutes and slowly and methodically work a couple of nymphs through the pool. "Take your time".

(4) Try to find windows of opportunity when conditions are favorable. Overcast, humid, days come first on my list! Early mornings and after sundown on bright, sunny days help your chances.

I only get to fish Alberta for about a week a year and believe me that week, no matter how slow the fishing, is far better than the best day at work!

[robson3954]

Diversify your techniques. Most new ppl exclusively throw dries.
Also try to get out with an experienced person and make sure you’re fishing/reading the water correctly.

[warrdogg]

Thank you for the replies. I really appreciate the advice you have given me. I admit that reading waters and nymphing are 2 areas I need more practice.

[chain2]

Great advice already given Only thing i can offer is stealth and patience on approach prior to wetting your line. Can learn alot by observing where bubbles flow or even a rise. I feel it’s more like hunting some days. Best of luck. Chain

[Mr Flyguy]

If you have a boat, canoe, pontoon, or whatever, or can get out with somebody who does, why not try lakes for a while. The boatman/backswimmer action will start any time now, and covering rises during a fall afternoon or evening with a simple backswimmer pattern and floating line doesn't get much more exciting.

[C.wright1]

Reading water is very important. I spent my first season of fly fishing on the same 200m stretch of the bow River using the same nymphing method each time. Probably had close to 50 outings that first season, and learned so much about where fish tend to hangout and how things change throughout a season. Each river is different, but I suggest trying to focus on one system for now and really learning it. Then take what you've learned and apply it to other rivers, but prepare to adjust. For example, I spent 2 years fishing the Bow and Highwood before ever fishing the central Alberta streams. My first day on a central creek was with a friend who is quite experienced. In 6 hours out we only caught 1 fish. We had some fish flow streamers but only 1 on the hook all day. However, we covered alot of ground, found some fishy looking spots, and also spooked lots of fish out from their spots. The fish were very spooky, unlike anything I had seen before. I took mental notes of where the good bends were and where we saw fish. The next week I went back alone, walked and waded much more carefully and slow, casted to the spots that I knew held fish, and had tons of action in just a few hours. Sometimes a day of not many fish and lots of walking can set you up for a very successful outing the next time. I like to cover lots of ground, it usually rewards me with some great spots to catch fish

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by warrdogg

Thank you for the replies. I really appreciate the advice you have given me. I admit that reading waters and nymphing are 2 areas I need more practice.

As well polarized glasses are a must as far I’m concerned, they’ll help you see where the fish are, I’ve spent countless hours just watching trout, behind my moms house in pincher creek there are a couple flat areas with riprap on one side bank on the other, seeing them and how they act, is invaluable.
Something else to consider is spooking fish, I’ve actually crawled to some holes to avoid spooking fish and it has paid dividends.
When your walking around keep in mind fish sense vibration in their lateral lines, so if you’re stomping or sloshing around they’ll be long gone before you even realize they were even there.
Avoid really bright or dark clothing try and blend in with your surroundings, you have greater chance of alerting the fish to your presence.
Those are some pretty big name places you bin goin, try some smaller creeks, remember, stealth, in between, off the beaten path stuff and, don’t be afraid to walk, walking pays dividends, seems lots of folk ain’t into walkin these here days.
By this time of the year, lots of fish have become educated, and have seen countless flies and lures, so think bigger (minnow) smaller (trico), don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Read, and, reread, Barry Mitchell’s fishing guide and the Alberta map book are essential.
People say to me I’m lucky when I go fishing, luck ain’t got nothin to do with it, you need the odds stacked in your favour.

[xrem597x1977]

Originally Posted by wildbill

As well polarized glasses are a must as far I’m concerned, they’ll help you see where the fish are, I’ve spent countless hours just watching trout, behind my moms house in pincher creek there are a couple flat areas with riprap on one side bank on the other, seeing them and how they act, is invaluable.
Something else to consider is spooking fish, I’ve actually crawled to some holes to avoid spooking fish and it has paid dividends.
When your walking around keep in mind fish sense vibration in their lateral lines, so if you’re stomping or sloshing around they’ll be long gone before you even realize they were even there.
Avoid really bright or dark clothing try and blend in with your surroundings, you have greater chance of alerting the fish to your presence.
Those are some pretty big name places you bin goin, try some smaller creeks, remember, stealth, in between, off the beaten path stuff and, don’t be afraid to walk, walking pays dividends, seems lots of folk ain’t into walkin these here days.
By this time of the year, lots of fish have become educated, and have seen countless flies and lures, so think bigger (minnow) smaller (trico), don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Read, and, reread, Barry Mitchell’s fishing guide and the Alberta map book are essential.
People say to me I’m lucky when I go fishing, luck ain’t got nothin to do with it, you need the odds stacked in your favour.

x2

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by wildbill

As well polarized glasses are a must as far I’m concerned, they’ll help you see where the fish are, I’ve spent countless hours just watching trout, behind my moms house in pincher creek there are a couple flat areas with riprap on one side bank on the other, seeing them and how they act, is invaluable.
Something else to consider is spooking fish, I’ve actually crawled to some holes to avoid spooking fish and it has paid dividends.
When your walking around keep in mind fish sense vibration in their lateral lines, so if you’re stomping or sloshing around they’ll be long gone before you even realize they were even there.
Avoid really bright or dark clothing try and blend in with your surroundings, you have greater chance of alerting the fish to your presence.b
Those are some pretty big name places you bin goin, try some smaller creeks, remember, stealth, in between, off the beaten path stuff and, don’t be afraid to walk, walking pays dividends, seems lots of folk ain’t into walkin these here days.
By this time of the year, lots of fish have become educated, and have seen countless flies and lures, so think bigger (minnow) smaller (trico), don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Read, and, reread, Barry Mitchell’s fishing guide and the Alberta map book are essential.
People say to me I’m lucky when I go fishing, luck ain’t got nothin to do with it, you need the odds stacked in your favour.

I should have clarified, the alberta back road map book.