Spring strategies for wading streams with no bank access

[PaScoGi]

Was looking for suggestions on how to fish trout streams in the spring that do not have access from the banks. The streams I am talking about are medium sized stocked trout streams that flow deep through a mountain forest. Looking at the stocking list, they must dump the buckets of trout at a bridge and hope the trout swim up or downstream. Freestone streams with no wild trout or limestone influence. Basically, I have to park at the bridge and then walk the stream upstream by wading. The banks of the stream are 10 feet tall and lined with trees and thick brush. In other words, it is impossible to stand and cast from outside of the water.

The first section has a line of large rocks (about 1 foot high, not big boulders) and there are riffles right after the rocks. Usually I start off with a soft hackle or bugger and just swing through the riffles, (facing upstream), first casting left, then center, then right. The stream is shallow enough for me to wade in the middle during normal flows. The water is about at my thighs at the deepest part. How should I nymph this section? Also, how is it possible to see a trout rising in riffles? Must be my poor eyesight, because I can never see trout rising in the white rapids. How do you fish dry flies in riffles?

The next section is a slow, flat pool. Again, it would be great if I could exit the water and cast from the side on the bank as to not spook the trout. But I cant so I wade through and skip this water. How do you switch nymphing strategies going from fast riffles to slow pools? Should I completely change my leader just for this section? Dry flies are much easier to see in slow pools, but I suspect the problem is the trout have more time to slowly inspect my dry fly and refuse it. Should I switch to a smaller fly or longer leader just for this section? Also, how do I know to fish catskills or parachute style mayfly dry flies? I usually fish heavily hackled patterns in the riffles and then parachute style in the slow pools. Not sure if there is another style I should be trying.

The next section is like the first, rocks and riffles and fast water. Then the section above that is another pool. And so on and so on, you get the point. Basically I have only been catching trout on soft hackles and buggers on this stream, but would like to learn how to nymph fish it and dry fly fish it, possible both type of sections, fast and slow water.

Thanks for any help. Just looking to see if anyone comes across these type of streams and how to approach them when there is no walking access along the stream to get out of the water.

 

[tomgamber]

If trudging up stream is your only recourse. Then that's what ya do.

 

[dryflyguy]

Yep
Just like fishing a small stream.
Start at the bottom, staying below your target area enough to be out of sight and not spook the fish.
I usually start laying casts into the tail just above where it spills into the next riffle.
After covering that lower area, I slowly move up - moving just 1-2 steps at a time, then stopping
Trying not to put ripples upstream.

The idea is to catch the lower fish first, before moving in to where they are/were, to fish further up
Of course, sometimes you dont catch them.
Or there are fish that you just didn't see, until they spook.

But if you cant get in at the sides, that's the way it is

Sometimes, it might be better to get in above and fish down to them.
But then you risk stirring up sediment and sending it down through the fish.
And the fish, which are usually facing upstream, are more apt to see you
I prefer to fish from below

 

[Tabasco-Joe]

If I'm fishing a stocked stream early in the season I generally try to start well below the stocking point and work up to it. In my experience stocked trout will often find a hole near where they are put in and brood for a week or so. Once they spread out, I have found a higher percentage move downstream as opposed to upstream.
BTW, I always would prefer to wade. You usually have a better chance to position your cast. Especially if you aren't ambidextrous with you fly rod.

 

[dudemanspecial]

Yep
Just like fishing a small stream.
Start at the bottom, staying below your target area enough to be out of sight and not spook the fish.
I usually start laying casts into the tail just above where it spills into the next riffle.
After covering that lower area, I slowly move up - moving just 1-2 steps at a time, then stopping
Trying not to put ripples upstream.

The idea is to catch the lower fish first, before moving in to where they are/were, to fish further up
Of course, sometimes you dont catch them.
Or there are fish that you just didn't see, until they spook.

But if you cant get in at the sides, that's the way it is

Sometimes, it might be better to get in above and fish down to them.
But then you risk stirring up sediment and sending it down through the fish.
And the fish, which are usually facing upstream, are more apt to see you
I prefer to fish from below

Agreed, I like fishing downstream on bigger water whenever possible but smaller mountain streams and cricks this is the way.

 

[wildtrout2]

Sounds like your ONLY option is fishing up through the stream, if the sides are too high/steep. I've never encountered that situation.

 

[tomgamber]

All of this is good info. I will add that if you aren't there on stocking day, do not underestimate the enthusiasm of stocking volunteers. Some will drag fish quite a distance up or down from meeting places. Obviously floating a "raft" downstream is easier but you never know depending on access.

 

[Tabasco-Joe]

I've had better success fishing downstream to stocked trout than wild trout. If forced into the situation by the stream banks I'd wade down the side with the least attractive water (usually the shallower side) and swing buggers or wet flies on the better side.

 

[Bamboozle]

I've fished a ton of wild trout streams, especially in North-central PA where it can be all but impossible to fish from the bank and in many cases to even walk off the stream in many places.

At those streams my only concern is finding shallow enough water to wade around deep spots as I move upstream and while it is still light, looking for a place to get off the stream and back to my car when I quit.

Other than that, I just fish upstream methodically, more or less IN the creek the whole time and it really hasn't made any difference in regards to catching fish.

Quick story; I was fishing a medium sized Potter County Class A, when I came up on my buddy fishing a stretch during a blizzard Yellow Sally hatch. He was on the bank trying to stay out of the water making crappy casts and catching squat.

In the meantime, I was standing smack dab in the middle of the creek casting directly upstream and over the fish and catching trout after trout. I told my friend, "Get off the bank and take my spot." Your fly is dragging because you can't get a decent drift from where you are standing." He moved, started casting OVER the fish and all of a sudden he was catching fish.

Bottom line, sometimes fishing on the bank or off to the side is overrated.

Good luck!!

 

[Tabasco-Joe]

I've fished a ton of wild trout streams, especially in North-central PA where it can be all but impossible to fish from the bank and in many cases to even walk off the stream in many places.

At those streams my only concern is finding shallow enough water to wade around deep spots as I move upstream and while it is still light, looking for a place to get off the stream and back to my car when I quit.

Other than that, I just fish upstream methodically, more or less IN the creek the whole time and it really hasn't made any difference in regards to catching fish.

Quick story; I was fishing a medium sized Potter County Class A, when I came up on my buddy fishing a stretch during a blizzard Yellow Sally hatch. He was on the bank trying to stay out of the water making crappy casts and catching squat.

In the meantime, I was standing smack dab in the middle of the creek casting directly upstream and over the fish and catching trout after trout. I told my friend, "Get off the bank and take my spot." Your fly is dragging because you can't get a decent drift from where you are standing." He moved, started casting OVER the fish and all of a sudden he was catching fish.

Bottom line, sometimes fishing on the bank or off to the side is overrated.

Good luck!!

The only place I really liked fishing from the bank was the LL heritage section. The banks there are well manicured, and bank fishing allowed more people to access a very popular stream. Now that the no wading rule has been lifted a single angler can monopolize a section of stream by wading up the middle.

 

[jifigz]

If I go fishing, which I do quite often, I never cast from the bank unless the water is really deep and swift and it cannot be waded, or if the water is so glass calm that the slightest movement will send every fish scattering for cover.

On 99% of our trout streams in PA, wade right up the middle of those small streams, and position yourself to get the best casts and drifts possible and hit the likely lies. On a glass smooth part of Big Spring or something similar, then yes, absolutely stalk and cast from the bank, but on the majority of the streams, NO WAY!

Also, why not just indicator nymph that water with the smallest indicator you can and enough weight to get you down quickly in the faster water. When you get to the slow water, remove weight so you don't cause too much commotion when your flies splash down. How you fish dry flies in riffles is to cast directly upstream and pick up enough line to maintain a good drift. It is pretty dang easy, really. I often use wulffs or elk hair caddis for this type of fishing. As long as your fly is floating, you're good. The trout won't have much time to inspect your fly, so if they want to eat it, they will crush it quickly as it floats by.

 

[wildtrout2]

On 99% of our trout streams in PA, wade right up the middle of those small streams, and position yourself to get the best casts and drifts possible and hit the likely lies.

I agree, "up" being the key word.

 

[Bamboozle]

The only place I really liked fishing from the bank was the LL heritage section. The banks there are well manicured, and bank fishing allowed more people to access a very popular stream. Now that the no wading rule has been lifted a single angler can monopolize a section of stream by wading up the middle.

I STILL fish the LL Heritage from the bank (I was just there on Friday) and I only fish the Letort, Big Springs, Falling Spring & Green Springs from the bank for a ton of reasons.

Other than that and a few places where I fish from the bank because I'm only fishing for an hour or so and I'm too lazy to put on hip boots or waders, I'm IN the water.

 

[PaScoGi]

Thanks all, great responses. Much appreciated! I (seriously) was not aware that stocked trout swim downstream. I always figured since they face upstream that they will always swim upstream.

I will offer a counter point to bank fishing - there have been times (not for these streams I am referencing) where staying on the bank is a better approach, typically in shallow water. But for these streams looks like I will just have to wade slower and work the riffles and slow pools in different ways.