PotHunter96 Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 hi all, i would like to start a thread on the delicate art of fishing small streams. i would just like to know peoples methods, techniques and also fly patterns for fishing for trout on small streams. also share your stories and experiences of fly fishing the small stream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 Only had 1 go this year back in early april on the river/small stream. I brought myself a #3/4 rod and reel and i was using copper headed fly. I caught my first brownie, it was only a small one but still a very nice fish. I caught it by casting down stream and very very slowly i pulled the fly towards me....had a really good take but sadly no photos this time. Will be back out again soon hopefully. All the rest of my trout have been rainbows on small ponds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazooka Joe Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 Czech Nymphing is what I find best for rivers, small nymphs/spiders/scuds/shrimps catch plenty fish, & fish upstream, not down. If it's a small stream a 7ft 2-3* rod will be near enough, on bigger rivers I use 11ft 3*. Tie your own flies, nothing like catching on something you have tied yourself.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotHunter96 Posted April 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 i used to use worms. but i have tried a few times useing a normal 8 ft rod with a fly reel and line and have tied a fair few flies and i think they are quite good considering the only tool i have used is a vice and my fingers to tie them. however i have been given a very nice guide line alpha 9ft #7-8 rod and wish to use this a my rod for the small stream and for big lakes and ponds. i know it is not ideal for fishing on a small stream but it is a nice rod that is easy to cast with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 I think a dry fly and nymph new Zealand rig is supposed to be good for wee burns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 ^^^ What he said. I use the New Zealand technique regularly and it's very good for all types of water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG 5 Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 Best advive I can give is stalk very quietly and slowly. Fishing upstream is essential in low water. Fish downstream in clearing spate water and have a go at night with a single butcher fly. Deadly! I have always had better fish in smaller streams and my rewards have been hard earned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG 5 Posted April 29, 2012 Report Share Posted April 29, 2012 A trout of 3lbs from a small stream only 5ft wide. A real trophy catch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted April 30, 2012 Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 Nice fish wild ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted April 30, 2012 Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 Although not small streams as such, I have 5 days booked in Croatia at the end of May. Can't wait to get back out there, the scenery is stunning. It's fast moving water mostly, I will use the local 'method' of tiny nymphs (size 22 and 24 sometimes) bumped through pools with split shot pinched on the leader if I have to, but much prefer fishing dries when they are taking them - and even when they aren't Although the locals say they only local flies the grayling and browns will both take klinkhamers and other favourites if they presented properly. The problem is since fishing there I can't bring myself to fish put & take waters at home any more so I now only fly fish once a year during that trip. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted April 30, 2012 Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 On small streams you have to scale your tackle down accordingly, lighter, shorter rods and finer tippets. I always fish upstream and work the beat moving upstream, to return to the beginning of the beat I will take a wide detour to avoid walking back along the stream. If there is no apparent hatch I use nymphs,changing patterns and sizes until I find something that works. With just the slightest sign of a hatch I will fish dry flies, my preferred way of fishing small streams. I rarely enter the water and keep as low as possible, casting from my knees (also helps with the praying ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotHunter96 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 also im going this tursday the river may be on flood so very high very fast and dirty brown, perfect conditions for float fishing a worm, but what about fly fishing??? big colourful lures maybe??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted May 1, 2012 Report Share Posted May 1, 2012 A big streamer is worth a chuck in the evening some Times it temps a big one if there is a pool. Ohh and roll casting usually if bad cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesie Posted May 1, 2012 Report Share Posted May 1, 2012 One of my favourite types of fishing! The best piece of advice given to me was be quiet and don't try to spot fish, just cast to rises or if the fish are not rising, to fishy looking areas. I would start with a small dry (size 16-18), anything parachute style is good. then switch to a a small nymph ( PTN or a hares ear) if no takers, or NZ style as mentioned above. As for rod choice, a light rod 3wt-4wt. If there is lots of cover above a short rod is best but if you can get away it a longer rod will give you much more line control. I have a 9ft 3wt for this purpose and i love it. Hope this helps. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyshooter Posted May 1, 2012 Report Share Posted May 1, 2012 One of my favourite types of fishing! The best piece of advice given to me was be quiet and don't try to spot fish, just cast to rises or if the fish are not rising, to fishy looking areas. I would start with a small dry (size 16-18), anything parachute style is good. then switch to a a small nymph ( PTN or a hares ear) if no takers, or NZ style as mentioned above. As for rod choice, a light rod 3wt-4wt. If there is lots of cover above a short rod is best but if you can get away it a longer rod will give you much more line control. I have a 9ft 3wt for this purpose and i love it. Hope this helps. Rich I use a weight 2 rod with a weight 4 line for roll casting, loads better when on your knees. Bought a double taper and cut in half, plenty of line in, a half, to fish small streams/rivers plus two lines for the price of one. Fish usualy take shelter behind rocks ect in fast flowing streams and then just nip out to take the fly and return to their comfortable spot out of the direct current. Have fun, Gel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazz4spurs Posted May 1, 2012 Report Share Posted May 1, 2012 I fish a small stream in Germany about 10ft across. All gold head fish very well. I have caught lots of brownies and trout on them. One thing always walk and cast up stream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted May 2, 2012 Report Share Posted May 2, 2012 Definately upstream fishing, the fish will be true wily wild browns, so stealth is definately of the essence. I fish a small beck which varies from 3ft to 10ft and the little pools produce great sport. Fish as light a rod as you can 7 - 7 1/2 ft 3wt and a fairly short leader (otherwise the fly spends more time on the bank than in the water). I find that small spiders are particulary good and you can't go wrong with a partridge and orange. Obviously, if you can spot a hatch, or see what they may be eating in the water, your best bet is to 'match the hatch' so to speak. I know it's individual choice, but personally, lures and streamers just don't seem right for wild fish on a natural stretch of water. You can't beat fooling a truly wild fish through good fieldcraft, reading the water, fly selection and presentation. Have fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 I used to fish two really small streams - 3' across and half a welly deep. The method I used was a 7' whip (from the Poundshop) and small Pheasant Tail Nymphs or brownish Sawyer's Killer Bugs fished on 8' or 9' of light mono line and small strike indicator, flicked upstream and allowed to drift back. The trout were ranged from a few ounces up to half a pound and great sport on a tethered line and whippy rod. The other small rivers I fished were around 12' - 20' wide and a mix of shallow runs and deeper pools. There I'd use a four weight with floating line and wade upstream roll casting in front of me with only about 20' of line out ot the tip ring. Sometimes I'd be after chub, other times dace and occassionally trout or grayling. Upstream nymphing for chub and dace is addictive if you can stand the tension. In floods I'd just drop a worm and split shot into any eddy or deeper, slow stretch. That often got the bigger trout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinb Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 I think a dry fly and nymph new Zealand rig is supposed to be good for wee burns. What is a New Zealand rig? Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Dry fly on the top with a wet/nymph tied off the bend of the dry fly hook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ack-ack Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 A trout of 3lbs from a small stream only 5ft wide. A real trophy catch. Korker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurona12 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 I fish a small stream in Yorkshire. Its less than 10ft wide in most places. I use a small 7ft6 rod with a very small lighweight 3" reel. Over the years I've cut the branches back and created a nice pool for fly fishing - its still hard going and end up in the trees quite often. Its max 4ft deep in dry weather and I now have a short leader to suit. I have no option but to fish downstream due to the overhanging branches. Here's a pic of my mate on the stream and some nice wild brownies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyshooter Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 I fish a small stream in Yorkshire. Its less than 10ft wide in most places. I use a small 7ft6 rod with a very small lighweight 3" reel. Over the years I've cut the branches back and created a nice pool for fly fishing - its still hard going and end up in the trees quite often. Its max 4ft deep in dry weather and I now have a short leader to suit. I have no option but to fish downstream due to the overhanging branches. Here's a pic of my mate on the stream and some nice wild brownies. Fantastic, I have a two acre lake but it is not as natural as your water, very envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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