Sometimes even rising trout can be tough to catch. They may be keyed in on a bug that you don’t have a match for or lying in a spot where the drift is impossible.

Occasionally in these situations a streamer can be the answer. Even though they may be primarily eating hatching insects, rising fish are still actively feeding and the opportunity to eat something big like the prey that streamers represent can be too much for them to resist.

When other efforts have failed try to get to a casting position that let’s you present the fly across current in front of the fish. Be careful not to land your fly or line too close since streamers often splash a bit. Swing or strip you streamer just under the surface in front of the fish and be ready. The first cast is key and is usually when the strike will come. Good streamers for most of these situations are your basic Bead Head Krystal Buggers, Slumpbusters, Zonkers, and Muddlers. Try this the next time a rising fish has you stumped, it may just work.

This week’s picture is brought to you by Ken.
Ken pulled this biggie in Erie, PA. Here’s what he had to say, “I caught the male and my friend took the picture and said, “I would like to get a picture of a nice female.” and the next cast I caught the female, didn’t even get to re-light my cigar!”

Submit pic here

A really cool thing happened yesterday that reminded me of this concept. I fished a stream near my house that has mostly small fish. As I fished up to my favorite run I caught several smallish and very quick browns, bows, and cutthroats on a size 12 Olive PMX that was a good match for the many hoppers that were on the banks. The hook set on these guys is usually easy, they hit fast so you set fast.

As I got into my favorite run on this section of stream I was surprised to see very few fish come up for my fly, a few small fish at the tail out and then nothing. As I got to the prime of the run I tossed the fly up against a fallen tree on the far bank and it happened. A huge brown came up, turned, and followed my PMX downstream with his nose almost touching it. It happened so slowly that I could barely stand it. I waited like a coiled spring as he followed the fly moving back downstream and then just as I couldn’t wait any longer he slurped it. Here’s where I have to admit I was kinda proud of myself. I waited even a little longer until he very deliberately turned upstream with the fly in mouth and only then did I finally set the hook.

I was surprised that it all worked out. I very easily could have jumped the gun and set as the big brown followed the fly with his nose right on it or I could have set before he turned back upstream and I would have pulled it right from his mouth. A good thing to remember is to say “big brown trout” or whatever else you like before you set, especially when throwing big dry flies. Somehow I remembered this and didn’t screw it up. I was rewarded with a 20 inch brown in a stream where 8 to 10 inchers are the norm. Try this the next time you fish big dries to big fish. You’ll hook up more often.

This week’s picture is brought to you by Chris.
A nice 3lb bass caught with a 4wt rod on a local farm lake in South Mississippi. Chris caught this on a wooly bugger.

Submit pic here

If you read these tips often you’ll recognize that I’m primarily a trout fisherman. However, there’s something really cool about bass. They act totally different from trout. They hang out basically motionless with a big frown on their face and ambush stuff. They eat big stuff like frogs, crayfish, snakes, mice, fish, and even unlucky ducklings.

This time of year when your local trout streams and lakes are going through the doldrums it might just pay to take a little time and hit a bass pond for the evening. Try tossing big poppers or if they don’t want to come to the surface try big furry streamers like bunny leeches. The takes are ferocious and the battles epic. You will probably want a strong 7 weight rod and some stout leaders and tippets to toss your bugs way back into cover and haul big bass out.

Get out there and pound the ponds for some big bucketmouths, you’ll have a blast.

This week’s picture is brought to you by Cody.
A great closeup of a beautiful brown. Thanks Cody for this awesome shot!

Submit pic here

With ever increasing numbers of anglers on our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans it’s important that we all know and practice a little etiquette at times. Luckily fly fishers as a whole are generally very courteous but it’s sometimes good to just remind yourself of a few rules to go by on the water.

Remember to leave space for the next guy. Nothing is more frustrating than going around a corner on a stream to find that you’ve been following someone who jumped in just above you. The space you give can depend on several factors but make sure it is appropriate for the water you’re fishing. On a large popular river with many fish that may mean fifty or a hundred yards. On a small rarely fished creek it may mean a half mile, mile, or more. Always remember to give the angler moving upstream their space.

Remember to respect private property. In some states or regions the public is allowed access to streams running through private property. This does not mean that it is ok to damage fences or other property, to disrupt livestock, or to take care of your personal business on their land. Do take care to not hurt the reputation of fly fishers, it only takes one bad apple.

Take care of your streams, rivers, and other waters. There is nothing more frustrating to me than showing up in one of the most beautiful settings in the world and seeing strike indicators, line, and other trash littering the stream. Remember, if it comes with you to the water, take it with you when you go. Everyone loves a pristine environment in which to wet a line. Let’s make sure we keep places pristine for the fish and for our future generations of fly fishers.

Just be generally courteous. I have met and learned from so many great people on stream. Be sure to offer a little tip, a fly, or just a hello to your fellow fly fishers. It will come back to you somehow, hopefully in tight lines and good times.

This week’s picture is brought to you by Wade.
During last weeks filming of Fly Rod Chronicles with the Riverbum Partners, many fine trout were landed. Spencer Higa, from Falcons Ledge landed this awesome 20+ inch Brown. All the flies and products were supplied by RiverBum.com.

Submit pic here

We’ll announce more information about the show when we get the air times. If you want to check out information about the show go here: www.flyrodchronicles.tv

A group of the RiverBum partners were fortunate enough to spend a few days last week on the water together filming a few episodes for the new Fly Fishing TV show, “Fly Rod Chronicles with Curtis Fleming”.

Just being out there with the RiverBum boys and the Fly Rod Chronicle crew reminded us exactly why we love fly fishing and working in the industry. While it’s great to catch fish, it’s even better to share the joy of fishing with friends.

So remember to laugh at each other and yourselves when you get hung up in the trees behind you, shrug when the big one gets away and just spend some time on the water while wearing a big smile.

This week’s picture is brought to you by Bones.
An awesome catch from the Big Horn River, Bones hooked up with this big boy using a Prince Nymph. The guide has been pursuing this fish for 2 years.

Submit pic here