It is mid-July, and we are coming off some of the most epic and sought-after weeks to fly fish in the Yellowstone Region. We have seen many of the famous hatches come and go on our rivers and are moving into the dog days of summer. So far, it is looking like it will be a hot one.
I wanted to share how I prefer to fish this time of year. Lately, I have been much more conscious of how I fish. This has shaped the locations I fish, the people I fish with, and the flies I tie.
There are many ways to target trout with a fly rod. We all have our preferences and enjoy the variety of ways to catch trout. No way is better than another, though I have the techniques that I enjoy the most.
Lately, I have been fishing primarily with dry flies, only casting to trout I actively see feeding. Sight fishing for trout is my favorite way to fish, no matter the time of year, but it is at its prime during the summer months. I hunt for trout, looking for feeding fish above and sometimes below the surface. The challenges and rewards of this style of fishing are addicting.
This way of fishing may be less productive regarding fish counts (though in some fisheries, it is the most productive), but as I have said many times on the blog, fish numbers are rarely my goal.
What does this look like on the river?
Well, I arrive at a fishery where I expect insect activity at some point during the day. Sometimes, I sit and watch, while other times, I slowly walk the bank. I look for soft water or structures that may hold rising fish. I take my time to look for fish, rise forms, and insect activity. Once I find a fish, I watch it feed, determine what it is feeding on, and what fly may fool the trout. Fishing this way allows me to go one-on-one with a fish and is the ultimate test of my skills.
This style of fishing is not for everyone. It takes patience, observation, and acceptance. Rarely do you catch tons of fish in a day. You often spend more time observing than you do casting. I may walk many miles looking for feeding fish, passing up likely holding water if I don’t see fish feeding.
Craig Mathews (an author and retired fly shop owner in the region) says it best: “Do what the river tells you what to do.” This is what this style of fishing is all about. Constant observation guides me on the river, helping me make the critical decisions to put a few trout into the net.
Sight fishing for trout makes me feel in tune with the environment. I can match the hatch rather than trigger a fish to take my fly and catch fish on flies that accurately portray their natural food source. It is an immersive experience that brings challenges to my days and tests an array of skills. Whether it be spotting fish, getting into position, bug identification, or a drag-free drift, it all goes into fooling a fish while sight fishing for trout.
On the days I fish this way, I take time to enjoy the whole experience more than I usually would. I look up at the mountains, inspect the bugs, observe the wildlife, watch the fish rise, and have good conversations with those I’m with. For me, sight fishing is just a slower-paced style of fishing that I have fallen in love with for all these reasons.
Many factors contribute to a good day of sight fishing. The weather pattern, water clarity, flows, water temperature, and insect hatches all determine if you will have a good day of sight fishing. While some days do not cooperate, others bring some of the most sought-after experiences in fly fishing. Watching a 20-inch cutthroat feed along a bank and slowly rise to a fly is just one of them.
There may be fewer fish to net in a day, but each one feels special. Each fish feels earned, and I rarely feel like I took more than I gave on the river fishing this way. For me, it is a gratifying way to fish. Taking what the river gives me without forcing it.
This is how I’m fishing at this point in the year and my fishing journey. I look for fish rising, taking my time to fish for fish I can see. I embrace my excitement for sight fishing with no care for what other people think of it or what I may miss out on in other fishing styles.
I write this article partly to open your eyes to the fun of sight fishing but more so to encourage you to fish the way you most enjoy. Don’t care about the size of fish, how many fish you catch, or how others are fishing. Be conscious of what brings you the most joy on the water and embrace it. Whether sight fishing or bobber nymphing, know how you love to fish and throw yourself into it with passion.
I fly fish for the challenge and the connection with nature. Sight fishing does that for me. I encourage you to ask yourself why you fly fish and what excites you the most. It leads to gratifying days on the water.
Stay curious and fish true to yourself,
Nick
2 thoughts on “How I Am Fishing”
Nick, how do you like the Orvis water shoes?
Thanks!
Hi Dan,
I absolutely love them. I put many miles a day on them and feel like I’m wearing tennis shoes. They grip the rocks very well. I got this pair April of last year and they are still hanging strong. The only issue is you MUST wear socks with them or you will get a horrible blister on your heel. Otherwise, worth the money.
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