First Time at a New River
Casting into the Unknown
As we transition into the spring season, I trust that many of you have enjoyed the winter months by tying flies, and if the weather has allowed, even indulging in some fishing. Today, I'd like to address a question that I frequently receive: "How do you approach fishing when you are on a river or body of water that you've never fished before?"
Navigating unfamiliar waters can be a daunting task, but with a few key strategies, it can become an exciting adventure. Allow me to share some tips that may prove helpful in such situations. Personally, I have developed several key strategies that I use depending on the time of year, fishing conditions, and the knowledge I have gained over the years. When approaching a new river or a new piece of water, I view it as a puzzle or a game, asking myself how I can capitalize on catching the most fish from a particular pocket, run, or riffle. etc
The First Starting Point
When exploring a new river, I begin by considering the fundamentals. How will I approach this water? What is the depth? Is it windy or cloudy? Do I observe any bugs flying around? Whats the water temp? Although seemingly straightforward, these factors are often critical aspects that people overlook when arriving at a new river or stream.
One of the most significant elements of my strategy is determining how to approach the water effectively. Should I use a dry dropper, streamer, two nymphs, or one nymph? What tippet size is appropriate? In situations like these, many of these factors are unknown, and I often find myself experimenting with different techniques over a span of a few short hours. This process may involve some trial and error as I work to find the most successful approach to catching fish in this new place.
I typically rig up my rods based on the fishing conditions. I always carry at least two rods with me, which could be a combination of a streamer rod and nymph rod, nymph and dry rod, dry dropper and nymph, or any other combination that I deem appropriate for the situation. My preferred combination, depending on the season, is a streamer and nymph rod combo, as this allows me to target a range of different fish and maximize my chances of success. I can comb through water with a double or single nymph rig and then work a jig streamer through parts of the run I want to target more effectively.
A nice winter reward - Jack Arnot
Simple Tips
I am going to say this three times: FLIP OVER ROCKS, FLIP OVER ROCKS, FLIP OVER ROCKS. I have lost count of how many times flipping over rocks and looking in vegetation has influenced my fishing days in both new and old places. It is probably the easiest way to get a grasp on what bugs live in a river and what fish could be keying in on. I remember a recent summer day when I wasn't doing particularly well on a river and was scratching my head as to what I could be doing wrong. I had fished all my confidence flies with very little success, and I don't really believe in the idea that "fish just aren't biting today." So, I flipped over rocks for the next 15 minutes and found a plethora of orange and gray scuds that I would have never tied on in a million years for that river. Additionally, under nearly every rock was a small olive sculpin. After transitioning to a waltz/scud nymph rig and following up with an olive streamer rig, my day was off to the races. I was able to cover water that I had previously fished with much better results than the previous few hours.
This is probably one of the easiest things an angler can do when surveying new water, and I really can't stress enough how easy it is to do and how many times it has saved my fishing days, even on familiar waters.
Fishing Pace and Holding Water
Fishing pace is something I have worked on a lot since I first started fly fishing. When I was younger on the youth team me and my friends would try to cover as much water as possible some days covering miles of water, probably not so effectively. But in my mind at the time the more water I could cover the more fish I could catch.
Over the past few years, I have made a significant change in my approach to fishing. Instead of simply wandering around, I now set boundaries for myself, forcing me to carefully scrutinize the water I am fishing. This practice not only prepares me for competitions, but also helps me understand the actual number of fish in each run, riffle, and other water types. This is especially useful when fishing a new river system, as it enables me to estimate the amount of fish in each run.
For instance, if I fish one run or cover pocket water and catch 25 fish in a particular spot, I can use that as a benchmark to judge the next section of the river. Eventually, this technique can help me identify certain water types that hold fish for that specific river. By systematically analyzing the water and keeping track of the number of fish in each spot, I am able to better target areas that are more likely to produce results.
While it may appear straightforward, one of the most effective ways to select a fishing location is to observe the water's current conditions. A recent Interregional competition in Utah saw a considerable rise in water levels from just a few weeks prior. Consequently, many fish moved towards the bank, leaving some of the "A" water, which typically holds fish, completely empty. Knowing this, my team and I focused on targeting the banks where these trout would be hiding. During such circumstances, especially with brown trout, they tend to seek out every nook and cranny they can find to tuck themselves into.
Although fish movement can vary daily and seasonally, it is crucial to keep these factors in mind. In the spring, fish still congregate in deeper winter holding water but start moving into shallower areas to feed on the first hatches of the year. In the summer, fish can be found practically everywhere, but they tend to be highly dispersed, with concentrations in areas with high oxygen flow such as pocket water. In the fall, fish begin leaving shallow water but are generally still dispersed, preying on baitfish and the last major hatches of the year. Finally, winter presents challenges, with many fish being sluggish and sticking to the river bottom while gravitating towards the deepest water in the river.
Having confidence
When it comes to exploring new fishing locations, it can often be an intimidating undertaking. You may find yourself lacking confidence in both the gear you're using and the fishing techniques you're employing. However, I advise you to prioritize self-assurance above all else. If a particular tactic has proven effective in one body of water, there is a high probability that it will be successful in a similar environment, within reasonable parameters.
When it comes to fly fishing, many people believe that the key to success is uncovering a secret pattern for a particular river that guarantees a catch with every cast. However, this notion is misguided. While having knowledge of what bead colors and patterns might be effective in a particular river is important, exploring new waters also allows anglers to experiment with different fly patterns that they might not have considered for their home waters.
In these situations, I tend to change flies frequently until I can identify a few patterns that the fish seem to be attracted to on that particular day. Once I have established my confidence flies, I try to think outside the box and consider what the fish might not be inclined to eat. This approach usually helps me to narrow down my options in the first hour, depending on the pace of fishing.
Here are a few flies I wouldn’t be caught without on any rivers throughout the year or otherwise known as confidence flies
Conclusion
When exploring a new river or water system, it's important not to feel pressured to figure everything out within the first hour. In fact, it's not uncommon for it to take several fishing trips to gain a solid understanding of how the water fishes and to achieve success.
As an angler, I highly recommend trying new techniques or experimenting with different approaches. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Remember to always be diligent and thorough when exploring a new body of water. Take the time to examine the surrounding environment and flip over rocks to uncover potential fishing hotspots.
By being patient, persistent, and open-minded, you can increase your chances of a successful fishing trip while simultaneously broadening your skills and knowledge.