In this article, I share an insight that has helped me on the water the past few weeks and contributed to my success over the years.
Slowing down on the river.
I have found tremendous success by taking the time to sit on the riverbank, getting out of the boat, and observing what’s happening on the river.
So many anglers run up and down the bank, casting every which way. Or rip down the river in their boat without slowing down to see what’s occurring on the river. There is so much that the average angler misses when fishing this way, not only in fish but in things to learn.
Slowing down allows anglers to study the river and let the river tell them what to do. If you let it, the river will tell you what insects are hatching, where the fish are feeding, and where the big fish are lurking. With time, the fish will show themselves, and you will have the proper fly ready. It takes patience and time away from casting to see these things, as they are tough to notice while intensely fishing. But it’s worth taking the extra time to slow down and observe the river.
Over the past few years, I have experienced many incredible hatches and epic days of fishing. When talking to others at the end of the day, some seem surprised to hear that there was an insect hatch, which had many fish rising. They never took the time to see the bugs and rising fish, as they were too busy running up and down the bank, hoping a fish would eat their fly.
Many of the renowned anglers who have made this region famous harp on this topic, and this is not an insight that hasn’t been shared before. Craig Mathews has shared this same concept along with many others. With their many years of experience, I believe it’s in our best interest to listen and learn from those who have fished these rivers before us.
There are also other benefits to slowing down on the river than catching more fish. Slowing allows you to savor your fishing days a little more, taking in the sights and sounds of the beautiful places trout call home.
I hope this helps, and I look forward to seeing you out there.
Nick
