Dry or Die! Strategies for Success with Dry Flies on the Bow
by Scott Smith, Lead Guide
Becoming a Better Dry Fly Prospector
One of my goals the past few years has been to become a better dry fly prospector. I spend a lot of time in the drift boat with nymph rigs and beginner fly fishers, which I enjoy. When we have experienced rods and folks that can cast a line with some accuracy, I really appreciate snout hunting and getting high on the banks to sight fish. Stalking a 20-plus brown in shallow water always gets the blood pumping for our guests.
What If You Can’t See Any Rises?
What if I can’t see any rises or there are no trout holding off those rocky banks on the transitions—at least none that I can spot? Certainly, we can tie up a dry dropper or deep nymph rig and get into the meat of those transitions with good success.
I think about clear water cutthroat streams and tossing my Adams into the lanes on the obstructions, riffles, and shelves. Those little fellas almost always respond even if I can’t see them. Knowing where they SHOULD be is always a good bet for cutties.
On bigger water, the trout should be holding in the same kind of water, shouldn’t they? The short answer is yes—and prospecting with a dry fly is a lot of fun!
Dry Fly Fishing Strategies for the Bow River
Here are a few observations and practices that might work for you.
1. Stand Back and Observe
I like to pick my spot for my first cast. I’m looking for broken water, transitions, and obstructions. From there, I watch the foam, bugs, or debris that show me the likely food lane.
From here, I figure out where to stand so I’m invisible to a potential target. Even if you can’t see your target, your first cast to likely holding water can be critical. Remember to fish the water before you walk into it. If the light is right, I can also gauge the depth by the color change and find isolated buckets and troughs where there may be a holding fish or two.
2. Focus on Depth
In big water like the Bow River, I prospect with dries in shallow water. I’m usually tossing bugs into water no deeper than three feet. This isn’t a hard rule, but if trout are holding lower in the column and not readily feeding near the surface, chances are they won’t move too far to intercept your topwater fly.
3. Use a Longer Leader
If I’m tossing into shallow water, I like a 12-foot leader or longer. It’s just a preference so I can work the water without lining the trout.
4. Choose the Right Bug Sizes
I like to start with typical dry fly offerings on the Bow River. Often, sizes 14-18 are workable with whatever dominant pupa is hanging around. That said, if trout are not actively eating in the top part of the column, sometimes a big size 10 or 12 will get their attention.
Additionally, an attractor pattern might be the ticket. I’ll often throw a stimulator or a big parachute ant for some splat, which often makes them look and eat! Smash the hatch!
5. Use Methodical, Short Casts
I prefer to move my feet and work in small grids, often only with a 3-second drift, overlapping casts as I work. Also, make sure that fly comes off the water softly at the end of the drift.
While guiding, I see way too many fly fishers with a ripper of a pickup. No one should hear your line coming off the water. Long hero casts just don’t give me the controlled drift I like.
6. Add Fly Movement
Yes, the dead drift is a standard dry fly move, but a little movement on that fly will often get a splash at your bug. Bugs move in the water, and with some practice, you can move it just right. A key here is short casts and a high rod for the best control.
7. Stick With It
Remember, you’re fishing likely holding water based on what you know. When I approach a shallow transition or flat with guests, we grab the dry rod first and work the shallow water first. Only after we give it a good run do we switch to a streamer, dry dropper, or nymph to rework the water or move to the deeper part of the run.
Final Thoughts on Dry Fly Fishing Success
While instructing, we stress the importance of knowing trout behavior, how they hold in specific water, and the best way to present your rig. Depth is always at the top of the presentation list, and “no depth” or “top water” is a part of that versatility.
Get out there and explore, try different methods, and keep track of your successes and failures. I love this sport because I’m always learning something new and discovering the subtleties of the river, the fish, and the bugs.