Swirling or Turbulent Current.

[Andrwhite610]

How do you approach swirling current or turbulent current in creeks and rivers?

Most of the time I encounter this behind boulders, especially ones that break the surface. Directly behind the boulder or maybe bridge pillar or structure usually seems to be a small dead spot followed by a mess of currents or a strong eddy heading back upstream towards the obstruction. I’m talking about the sloppy ones not the clean, uniform, fishable pockets.

Do you bother with it and experiment or ignore it all together?

 

[dudemanspecial]

When I see water like that where it doesn't look like a prime fish spot I will throw a cast or 2 in there but not waste anymore time than that. No experimentation outside of adjusting weight. Too much other water to cover.

If I knew there was a fish there and I got obsessed with catching it, I would fish one nymph so as the current wouldn't grab any tags or trailers and pull on it.

 

[wgmiller]

Two approaches - try to drift around the boulder from the front lane of approach or simply drop it in from above. I'm more inclined to try to get a drift from the front and send it past the boulder. If it's too much of a mess of currents, then as mentioned above, give it a cast or two and move on. No sense frustrating yourself trying to do the impossible.

 

[Swattie87]

If you’re unable to get a natural drift, I’d try a streamer in that scenario.

 

[troutbert]

Your drift does not have to be "perfect" to be effective. Just run your nymph through there as best you can. Those are some of my favorite places to fish.

 

[rustbeltwilds]

Run a streamer or other big flashy offering..thru there the unpredictable currents. Will raise n drop n swirl your offering...lots of times you will move a big fish only to see them miss it..they only have a split second to pounce on it ..so keep your eyes glued and look for a flash of the fish

 

[Zipper]

Is the fish more likely to be right behind the rock or further back where the two side currents merge?

 

[PennKev]

Is the fish more likely to be right behind the rock or further back where the two side currents merge?

The fishing books will often show diagrams of the fish holding immediately behind the rock but I find that the fish are much more likely to be farther downstream where the currents normalize. either on the current seam or in the soft water down stream from the rock.

It really depends on bottom structure, depth, current speed, etc. Rock != fish

 

[Swattie87]

The fishing books will often show diagrams of the fish holding immediately behind the rock but I find that the fish are much more likely to be farther downstream where the currents normalize. either on the current seam or in the soft water down stream from the rock.

It really depends on bottom structure, depth, current speed, etc. Rock != fish

This, but depends on conditions to a degree too. In high water, they’re much more likely to be in the dead water directly behind the boulder. In more normal flows, yeah, more likely they’ll be a little downstream where the current is more consistent and predictable.

 

[Andrwhite610]

My approach is to fish what there is of a tail out. Then hit the messy seams on the edge of the normal flow. Followed by bringing few drifts past the rock. And finally I’ll drop one right behind the rock in the soft spot and then let the fly marinate in the swirling currents. Sometimes something is in there or comes in there to take the fly. I guess I should say I’m looking at this from a nymphing perspective but I’m sure it applies to other methods and even for Smallmouth Bass. I know I see this water type often on the Susquehanna.

I’d rather not fish this type of water and don’t spend too much time on it but I encounter it so much that I have to at least give it a look. Curious to see what other’s perspective is on this situation.