Upstream or Downstream?

[Darren N]

I got in a conversation with one of my buddies I go flyfishing with and when we are in groups that we need to split up there is always the choice to go upstream or downstream. I'm talking about rivers like the Pincher creek area where you walk half of it in and out of the river either to the fishing spots or back to the truck. I generally take the downstream part and walk carefully not to spook the fish and give them a natural presentation. He likes the upstream part so you don't spook the fish, but I find unless you come in to the side of the hole and cast, you have a tougher time with presentation as your fly comes back down towards you. At the end I usually end up with a few more fish C&R when we meet back.

What do you prefer?

[Flieguy]

I'll usually fish dries up and across in a small stream on the way up, and then walking back to the truck I'll toss streamers or soft hackles down and across. Some days the dry gets more on the way up, some days it's the wet presentation on the way back

[rycoma]

Depends on if someone else has gone up stream ahead of you. If you can while fishing downstream stay out of the river walk below your intended target. I prefer up stream as the walk back downstream is easier but I'll take what I dan get.

[Darren N]

Good points. I'll have to try some of these and see how they work for me. Personally I do like the downstream for one point going back - its alot easier to do if you are tired.

[spinN'flyfish]

start upstream, if you spook them head downstream for more and different fish to catch, work your way down

[Speckle55]

Go either way just when you have a run or hole that should have fish and they are quite then go upstream and walk back and forth across the rifles and stir up the food that will be going into the downstream hole and fish that hole again ... with the extra food that hole that was dormant is now alive with feeding fish

ps .. don't tell all your friends ..lol

Food for Thought

David

[RisingRainbows]

Originally Posted by Speckle55

go upstream and walk back and forth across the rifles and stir up the food that will be going into the downstream hole and fish that hole again

This is definitely not the way to do it. It's not sporting and in my opinion unethical. It is also possibly illegal as I'd consider it chumming.

[Bhflyfisher]

Originally Posted by RisingRainbows

This is definitely not the way to do it. It's not sporting and in my opinion unethical. It is also possibly illegal as I'd consider it chumming.

Yeup, i'd be recording that on a phone or camera if i ever saw it and would be sending the evidence to Rapp.

[greylynx]

There is an old DVD that one can purchase to this very day by Doug Swisher.

It is called "Advanced Fly Fishing" by Scientific Anglers.

The whole idea behind this video is that one fishes in a 360 degree circle on streams like a clock.

Every angle upstream and downstream in terms of casting is covered.

Worth every penny of the twenty dollars.

[Darren N]

Originally Posted by greylynx

There is an old DVD that one can purchase to this very day by Doug Swisher.

It is called "Advanced Fly Fishing" by Scientific Anglers.

The whole idea behind this video is that one fishes in a 360 degree circle on streams like a clock.

Every angle upstream and downstream in terms of casting is covered.

Worth every penny of the twenty dollars.

Actually i think I seen that video- got it through the public library. I recall how he mentions the best ways to cover every square inch. I remember how he mentioned to play the rapids as well (I think it was that video). My buddies walk past them - I like to toss in a fly and every once in awhile I get something and what a rush fighting the fish through the rapids.