Fly Fishing Insider Newsletter featuring streamer fishing for trout

streamer fishing for trout

Many people are aware that you can catch a lot of trout (and steelhead) with small nymphs dead drifted along the bottom. This approach is very productive in places where fish populations are concentrated. Years ago we discovered that some very nice local resident trout prefer to take their meals in bigger bites. Streamers fished on sinking tip lines can be immensely productive for covering large expanses of riffle water. This method will catch many large trout that are unavailable to the fly fishers by any other approach. Wooly Buggers, Bunny Streamers,

Muddler Minnows and Zonkers are deadly on Deschutes Redsides, Bull Trout and Brown Trout. After any of these species reach larger sizes they are less inclined to feed on small nymphs or dry flies. They need to take in protein in larger packages just to maintain strength. Crayfish, baitfish and leeches often reach sizes large enough to sustain larger trout. Anglers who fish with shooting head style sinking tip lines such as the Jim Teeny T-Series or Cortland's Quick Descent Series can cover a lot more water than

most anglers who fish with dead drifted nymphs or dry flies. This is often water that is neglected by other anglers. In many rivers you can find an occasional larger than average trout in almost any kind of water, but most often larger trout like larger territories. There is always a lot of food moving down the very center of the current. The deepest water is usually there and hence the best cover like big boulders and the holes that develop around them. Big trout are often solitary. Covering a lot of water is a key to success. By fishing a "deep" wet fly swing you can cover large amounts of river bottom. If you can

keep your fly within a foot of the bottom, you will usually get more action than if the fly is fished shallower. I have a system that consists of a 130 grain Teeny, 175 grain Quick Decent and 200 Teeny. I use the 175 Q.D. the most. It fishes best in moderately fast flows where the water is 4-6 feet deep. Keep your leader short so that the fly tracks predictably behind the line and stays deep. I like leaders of less than six feet long and often my leader is less than four feet long. Eight pound Maxima is the favorite tippet. A medium fast 9-foot, 5 or 6-weight rod is standard for kind of fishing. This size rod fishes well when wading or fishing out of a boat. Lightweight spey rods with Skagit style lines will reach water that is untouched by more conventional methods.

	Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing by: Joseph D. Bates Publisher: Stackpole books Format: HC Pages: 416 pages Trim Size: 6 x 9 ISBN: 0-8117-1702-X Photos: 23 color photos; 48 b/w photos Illustrations: 42 drawings
This book was first copyrighted in 1950. It has been updated since that time, but these have been only incremental changes. This tells you that Colonel Bates got it right the first time. The following is from the forward by noted streamer tier and fisher, Keith Fulsher: "Of all the different types of fishing flies, none are more beautiful of more effective than minnow flies - streamers and bucktails tied to imitate small baitfish."
Item	Description	Price	To Top
0-8117-1702-X	Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing	$34.95
0-8117-1702-XB	Streamer Fly Tying & Fishing with any purchase over $200. That is 20% OFF plus FREE SHIPPING.	$22.95

big fish foods

Insects compose most of the diet of one to three pound trout in most rivers. Larger trout also eat insects, but as trout grow their diet is made up of larger and larger prey. Crayfish and bait fish become staples in many river where they are available in sufficient numbers. It may take hundreds of mayfly nymphs to equal the amount of protein available in one medium size sculpin. Even if the larger prey is

more difficult to catch, it is still worth the extra effort. Large trout in rivers don't burn much energy while hunting for food. Instead they tend to "station-up" and wait for food to come "within range". Then they attack when their prey becomes vulnerable. Prey is often most vulnerable when it changes locations quickly. This most often occurs when it has been spooked by, or is escaping from another predator.

Big trout are able to maintain larger territories than small trout. They usually live in dispersed populations and always have the best lies. These lies are often chosen because they are very difficult for anglers to get at. To be the most successful streamer fisher, you will need to be able to cover a lot of water. If you can fish at long range it is usually an advantage. Being able to fish deep is another advantage. The biggest fish often stay close to the bottom of the river.

streamer rods
Burkheimer	Loomis	Sage	T&T	Winston
There are arguments for different sizes of rods in this category. Five-weights might work better with 130-grain lines and smaller flies. Seven-weights will chuck larger flies and handle larger fish, but aren't that popular at the moment. Longer rods might be an advantage in some circumstances for wading anglers, but are usually a disadvantage when fishing from a moving boat. The good old nine-foot six-weight is hard to beat for an all-round streamer-stick. Listed here are five of the five most popular streamer-rods we sell. All these rods have the handling qualities to lift large flies and sinking tip lines from the water and propel them out again smoothly with a wide range of casts. Rods weights are from our own postage scales, not from any company brochure. Two models have extension butts. The others don't. While over-all weight is one criteria for selecting a rod, balance is often more important. All rods tested are four piece.

C.F. Burkheimer CF 690-4		Length: 9' Line: #6 Pieces: 4

Description: This rod handles streamers well. The distinctive handle fits most hands. The CF690-4 has a very smooth progressive medium-fast action and handles the full range of lines with authority. Nobody puts a better finish on a rod than Burkheimer..
Rod weight: 3.7 Ounces
Item		Length	Line Wt.	Price	To Streamer Rods
CF690-4	C.F. Burkheimer Fly Rod	9 ft.	6	$595

G. Loomis FR1086-4			Length: 9' Line: #6 Pieces: 4

This lightweight powerhouse rod incorporates a mesquite spacer reel seat and and composite cork extension butt for a very distinctive look. We have tested this rod extensively with streamers up to 4" long. It handles the full range of fly lines and each member of our group is very impressed its smooth, crisp action. Rod weight: 3.6 Ounces.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Streamer Rods
11395-01	GLX High Line Speed	6	Fast	145	$635

Sage 690-4 XP			Length: 9' Line: #6 Pieces: 4

As you would expect from the world's leader in premium fly rods, the 690-4 XP is a magnificent tool for fishing from a boat or while wading. The XP has a faster action than some rods in this group, meaning there is a less gradual transition between the softer tip and the harder butt. While this kind of action contributes to narrower loops, some anglers might find it a tad too racy. The 690-4 XP rod will most appeal to more aggresive casters. Rod weight: 3.5 Ounces.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Streamer Rods
690-4	XP	6	fast	F	$595

Thomas & Thomas HE 906S-4			Length: 9' Line: #6 Pieces: 4

The Helix 906S-4 was designed for use in the saltwater. It weighs a full ounce more than the lightest rod in this group. It should. It is a more muscular rod. Much of the overall weight of the HE 906S-4 is in the extra heavy duty reel seat and fully proportioned extension butt. If it is the heaviest, it is also the most powerful rod in this group. It fits the streamer fishing category very well and is a super performer with a 200-grain line. It is a big-water, big-fly, big fish rod. It is elegantly finished. Rod weight: 4.2 Ounces.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Streamer Rods
906S-4	Helix	4	fast	western	$635

Winston B2X690			Length: 9' Line: #6 Pieces: 4

This is the lightest weight rod in this group. The boron/graphite blank itself is very lightweight. Then every bit of weight that could be shaved from the handle, reel seat and guides was removed. When you first pick it up, it feels a little on the wimpy side. Don't be fooled. The more you load this rod toward the butt, the more muscle you will find. It throws the full selections of fly lines that you will need to fish streamers effectively. This rod is very popular. Rod weight: 3.2 Ounces.
Item	Series	Line Wt	Action	Handle	Price	To Streamer Rods
690	B2X	6	Fast	Cigar	$595

C.F. Burkheimer Fly Rods - Demo Day
	Saturday, August 6, 10-3 C.F. Burkheimer Demo Day w/Kerry Burkheimer Be able to see and cast a wide selection of Burkheimer rods including the latest models. Get Free Casting instruction. There will be casting contests & raffles. Win one of the latest Burkheimer rods. A couple will be given away

A back yard barbeque will be served from noon to 2:00.

Everyone is welcome!

SPEY CASTING CLASSES
Streaming Video : Meet Ron Lauzon FFF Certified Casting Instructor
Streaming Video : Meet Leroy Teeple FFF Certified Spey Casting Instructor.
This class is taught by Ron Lauzon and Leroy Teeple, who are both Oregon Licensed Guides and FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructors. Ron and Leroy have a combined total 20 years of fly casting experience. Both men are students of the art of fly casting and the art of teaching fly casting in the most understandable and efficient manner. Here is a spey casting school that comes in manageable classes. You can take any or all of the classes. We suggest that you take them all.

All classes are a minimum of 4 and maximum of 6 students. This gives an instructors to student of 2-3 per instructor. You will receive nearly constant hands-on help.
Each class starts in our state-of-the-art class room with your instructor presenting a multi-media orientation program. This will help to mentally prepare you for your on-the-water experience. Your instructors will then drive you to the river for the rest of your class.
Students should make arrangements at time of registering for equipment to be used in the class.
Good time to test drive a new rod.

INTRODUCTORY SPEY CASTING CLASS: This is the beginning. This class is about spey casting at its most rudimentary level and will provide a solid foundation to build upon. It is for those wanting to try spey casting for the first time or those who are struggling. We will learn the basics of the, roll, switch, single spey, and the double spey casts with single and double handed rods.
Item	Description	Price	To Top
SPEY1-081305	Introductory Spey Casting Class - August 13, 2005 - 7:30am to 11:30am.	$100

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED SPEY CASTING CLASS: This class is for all students that have completed the Introductory Spey Casting Class above. Also welcomed are those anglers who have had some spey casting experience. We will refine the basic casts and demonstrate the Perry Poke, Snap T/C cast. Techniques & casting styles for powering the rod with top hand, bottom hand and both hands will be explored.
Item	Description	Price	To Top
SPEY2-081305	Intermediate/Advanced Spey Casting Class - August 13, 2005 - 12:30pm to 4:30pm.	$100

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		Topics streamer fishing for trout the streamer book big fish foods streamer selection streamer rods
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Streamer & Bait Fish Flies "Big fish eat little fish". These are flies that represent the little fish.
	Attractors	Matukas
	Floating/Feeding Minnows	Muddler Minnows
	Fry & Alevins	New Streamer Patterns
	Jannsen Minnows	Sculpins
	Zonkers