While it may seem obvious, the more fish you site, the more you will catch. Honing your skills at site fishing is a key component to a successful day of fly fishing. Blind casting can spook already wary fish, and In advance of casting it is important to spot your targets.
If possible, try to get to a higher elevation to help you better see the waters. If possible, climb up a bank while maintaining a lower profile as you scout. One of the most important tips we can give you is to wear polarized sunglasses. High quality glasses can make all the difference between a productive day on the river and failure. Glasses that are polarized remove the glare from the surface of the water and allow the angler a far superior view of the bottom of the river. It is also very important to select the right color of lens for the current conditions. A lighter colored lens will allow the fishermen to see well in low light, while a darker tint allows the angler to see far better when the sun is bright. Amber colored lenses are a popular tint for fly fishing in freshwater.
Many sportsmen may be surprised to hear we recommend sitefishing from ten in the morning until two in the afternoon. With the sun high in the sky, the stream or river bottom is illuminated, which allows you to more clearly see well into the river. It is critical that the sun is at your back so you are not producing a shadow that will make fish wary. Keep an eye out for places where you can peer into waters without having to fight the glare; these are often referred to as viewing lanes. Also stay on the lookout for water windows. These are intermittent flat spots that appear in turbulent or broken water that move downriver with currents.
Site Fishing Tips
The best angle for site fishing is to reposition your body downriver or across from a fish once you have spotted it. When you are repositioned, you may no longer be able to visually locate the fish, so mentally mark the location or place a big rock or stick on the bank to easily identify where you initially spotted your target.
The Trout species can take on the same color as the surrounding habitat. Rather than trying to site the entire trout, look for any signs that might indicate they are present, such as a tail waving, stream bottom shadows, or even flashes. Feeding Trout are most easily caught and indications they are feeding include white mouths, rises, flashes and trout that are suspended in a column of water.
