Reading Water

[Beweav]

I've been thinking of ways that I can improve my fly fishing and I have identified the area of reading water as an area for improvement. I have learned a ton from my personal experience, by reading info on here and by watching videos on youtube. I am a very visual person and I have never been on the water with a more experienced angler fly fishing, so I get a bit confused or unclear when I hear people mention things like pockets, riffles, ect. Something that I would find very helpful is actual stream pictures with people labeling the place they would fish. The types of streams I've been on have presented a nearly unending array of current seams, flow types and bends so I though that seeing some photos from various people as a reference would helpful for those of us learning to read water. Most photo editors can draw on pictures So I thought this could be good way to pass these wintery days... critiquing each others choices and so on.

I'll start. I labeled where I would fish first and second. Tell me where else to fish, and also what you would call the different sections on this piece of water. Then add picture of your own with it broken down! I'd love to see some bigger water but also don't want to encourage spot burning so I'll leave that up to your judgment.

 

[Swattie87]

I've been thinking of ways that I can improve my fly fishing and I have identified the area of reading water as an area for improvement. I have learned a ton from my personal experience, by reading info on here and by watching videos on youtube. I am a very visual person and I have never been on the water with a more experienced angler fly fishing, so I get a bit confused or unclear when I hear people mention things like pockets, riffles, ect. Something that I would find very helpful is actual stream pictures with people labeling the place they would fish. The types of streams I've been on have presented a nearly unending array of current seams, flow types and bends so I though that seeing some photos from various people as a reference would helpful for those of us learning to read water. Most photo editors can draw on pictures So I thought this could be good way to pass these wintery days... critiquing each others choices and so on.

I'll start. I labeled where I would fish first and second. Tell me where else to fish, and also what you would call the different sections on this piece of water. Then add picture of your own with it broken down! I'd love to see some bigger water but also don't want to encourage spot burning so I'll leave that up to your judgment.

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I think learning on small streams, like the one pictured, is a little easier because it’s usually pretty obvious where a fish will hold…Look for combinations of depth (which can be relative) and cover, and areas with moderate or even fast current, right next to areas of slack water. Try to fish the “seam”, or right where the faster and slower currents meet. On small streams, there’s only so many places like this. You may walk 100 yards in between locations like this. Part of the deal. The area in your picture I’d fish, but isn’t what I’d call primo habitat on a small stream. If this holds a fish, more than likely it’s fairly small and not capable of holding a better lie/hole/run/whatever in the stream.

You’ll learn quicker on bigger water, but it’s tougher IMO because there are many more spots that have that combination of depth/cover/current. And it can kind of seem overwhelming at first. A common response you will get is “just break it down into much smaller sections.” And there’s merit to that, but IMO the best way to learn to read big water is to to spend a day fishing with someone who’s experienced in doing it. I was a really bad nympher on big water for a long time, largely because I wasn’t very good at reading it. It’s still not my strong suit, but I can pretty reliably catch fish using that method now. The key for me was spending a couple days with guys who were really good at it, and watching them. I was mostly interested in the spots they chose to fish, versus the spots they didn’t. Some spots may look similar, but some are better than others, and an experienced angler will help you differentiate between them so you can focus on the “best” spots.

Keep an eye on the meetup forum for get togethers, and the annual Jamboree near State College in May. There will be a ton of guys fishing the big limestoners there who would be happy to take you under their wing for the day.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

1 and 2 have you best chance at the larger fish.
Especially 2 near that little bit of cover.

Larger trout like the slack water at the tailouts of pools and riffles, especially near cover that they can retreat to when danger approaches. They expend far less calories holding in that water.

So many anglers spook the best fish right at their feet when looking up through the run and often don't know it.

 

[SmittyTheSquatch]

I'd say one of the biggest lessons I learned from fishing with more experienced people is to fish all of the reasonable spots, but do it efficiently and methodically. 2 or 3 good casts/drifts through each area and move on. Especially in a small stream like this and especially with a dry or streamer. Sixfoot is showing the way. I'd say I'd be more excited about 5 and 6 more than 1 - 4. =)

 

[wildtrout2]

Larger trout like the slack water at the tailouts of pools and riffles, especially near cover that they can retreat to when danger approaches. They expend far less calories holding in that water.

So many anglers spook the best fish right at their feet when looking up through the run and often don't know it.

So true. I spooked the biggest wild brown I've ever seen by doing exactly that. He immediately retreated to a nearby undercut root system.

 

[Swattie87]

Good points made since my post earlier in the thread. IF there was a “big” fish in the OP’s picture, and “big” on a stream like this may be 10 or 12”, or even smaller if it’s all Brookies (pretty sure I know the stream and it has both Browns and Brookies though), I agree the most likely spot it will be is under that small brush pile on the far left edge of the picture. I missed that looking at the picture the first time.

Beyond that, OP, you’re generally on the right track with the areas you circled. But, that area in general wouldn’t strike me as being all that fishy. Worth a couple casts for sure, then move on. Definitely better habitat than that on that stream.

 

[rrt]

Post #2's suggestion of fishing seams of water where two currents of different speeds bump into each other might be the best hint you can get here, especially if there is a little bit of deeper water beside the slower seam.

When trout are rising to feed on floating insects, however, they might be just about anywhere, and you fish to the risers. (To me, that is the most fun in fly-fishing.)