I've learned a few things after getting very involved with stillwater over the past couple of years.
1. This not only applies to stillwater, but in a huge piece of water like a lake, fishing your flies with confidence is even more of a key to success. You are manipulating your flies on stillwaters, you dont have the current at your advantage/disadvantage.
2. Similar to my first tip, BE THE FOOD. Leeches dont swim in short 4 inch bursts. Dragonflies do... damsels dont, chironomids dont, and neither to mayflies. Study your bugs and their behaviours. Half the time, if i see fish taking a certain bug, even if i dont have the exact match, i can fish something thats a similar size and totally different colour then the naturals, but if the movement is similar, usually i can get a response.
3. Knowing how to use one of these safely is crucial, but it can turn a good day, into a fantastic day. Throat pumps can give you the key to those picky slabs, but use them with caution, they can harm fish very easily if inserted too far down the oesophagus, or into the gills, you can easily kill fish. They are only to be used on fish over 12-14".
http://flyfishfanatic.wordpress.com/...a-throat-pump/
Plenty articles about this tool.
4. Sometimes the fish wont cooperate and thats not your fault and not even the best anglers can figure them out. Tilt your seat back, put your legs up and chuck out something static. Enjoy the sun and breeze, and maybe if you're lucky your reel will start screaming out of pure dumb luck.
Tight lines.
Bh