The Essential Fly

8 Terrific Tips To Sensational Success

14 April 2022  |  Sarah
Dry Fly Fishing Tips
More helpful hins that may be new to some and reminders for others!

8 Terrific Tips and reminders for Stillwater Dry Fly Fishing.


Don't Forget the biggest tip we can offer you is our FREE HATCH CHART which is released on a monthly basis during the fishing season. This is invaluable to all anglers around the UK, see the bottom of this email for how to access this months hatch chart!


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#1 Use a Weight Forward fly line
When it comes to achieving distance and coping with breezy weather, weight forward lines are far superior to double taper profiles.
As expected from the title, most of their weight is in the front section of the line, so in essence they behave like a refined ‘shooting head’.
This means you don’t have to aerialize lots of line and instead can simply load the rod with 30 - 40ft of fly line outside the rod tip before shooting line to attain distance. 
As for breezy conditions, again the less line you have in the air the less likelihood of your cast being blown off target and instead we once more rely on shooting line on the final forward cast.
 
#2 Select a brightly coloured fly line
Standing out they allow you to track the whereabouts of your leader and flies.

This is especially crucial when using dry flies or nymphing techniques. 
The fly line that gives you easy-casting performance for both overhand and close-in roll casting. Renowned for its revolutionary taper design, which promotes efficient energy transfer. You’ll enjoy more delicate presentations in any situation.
KEY FEATURES:
  • Floating line
  • J3 coating
  • 90' length
  • Colors: Olive, Ivory, or Orange

Cortland 333 Floating Fly Line is a all purpose line for Trout fishing. A highly durable, high-floating all rounder fly line with a weight forward taper. Designed for performance with modern medium to fast action graphite rods.

KEY FEATURES
• All Purpose
• High Floating
• Extremely Durable
WATER: Freshwater
LINE: Floating
LENGTH: 90ft
CORE: Braided Nylon Multifilament 

 
Cortland 444 SL is the original fast shooting distance fly line on the market. A first choice of expert anglers for over 30 years.

KEY FEATURES:
• Highly Visible
• Reduced-Friction Finish
• Front Welded Loop
WATER: Freshwater
LINE: Floating
LENGTH: 105ft
CORE: Braided Nylon Multifilament 
 
#3 Keep your fly line clean
Taking good care of your fly line not only prolongs its life, but keeps the coating slick, which in turn helps it slip through the rod rings freely when it comes to shooting line.  In turn this means you’ll gain a bit more distance and let’s be honest those extra few inches make all the difference when Trout are feeding at range. 

The best way to maintain a fly line is to rinse it and wipe it clean with a dry cloth every six weeks.  A week solution of washing up liquid in lukewarm water is all that’s needed. 

Applying a fly line dressing afterwards is advisable too. 
 
#4 Try a line tray
A line tray not only gather your fly line up in neat coils, which in turn helps when shooting line on your next cast.  But, it keeps your line clear from muddy banks, so it remains clean for longer. 

Granted it takes a little while to become familiar with a line tray, but you’ll find the investment and effort well worth it in the long run.
 
#5 Wear Polariods
Polariods don’t just offer eye protection against wayward casts they reduce the strain on our eyes from UV light and also allow us to determine where deeper water exists.
What’s more, in favourable light conditions (usually when the sun is high and behind us), we’re able to visually locate Trout. 

In bright conditions a grey, or amber coloured lens works best. 

On cloudy days, or at dawn, or dusk a yellow, or sunrise lens is superior.
 
#6 Angle casts into a breeze
Although we collectively refer to lakes, reservoirs, tarns and the likes as “stillwaters”, wind and consequent wave action mean they are often in motion. 

Depending then on wind strength, inevitably our flies will be ushered along on the breeze. 
 
In the interests of making our dry fly look more convincing, it’s a good idea to angle casts slightly into the wind, so they have the freedom to drift back towards in a more natural manner. 

This of course doesn’t necessarily mean heading to the windward (exposed) bank and battling a headwind all day.  Instead, look for a cross-wind and angle your casts slightly into the breeze.
 
#7 Keep on the move
A common mistake made by beginners when fishing stillwaters is to get rooted to one spot. 

Granted there will be hotspots, but by keeping on the move, you’re covering new water and more likely to find eager Trout. 
 
#8 Don’t hesitate…STRIKE
When fishing at range, in poor light, or rolling waves, it’s often difficult to determine exactly where your fly/flies might be. 

Given this, any disturbance, or indication of a rise in the vicinity of where you perceive your flies to be should be met with a confident and instant lift of the rod. 

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