GenerationFly

Reading water is a vital skill that most fly fishermen develop through experience on the water.  Knowing how to read water effectively will significantly increase your odds of catching a river dwelling fish.  Most rivers provide a variety of holding spots that offer the three basic needs of fish; Shelter, Food and Protection.  The locations of these prime holding spots will be obvious to some fly fishermen while others may be difficult to determine.  The following examples are the areas of a river that I give priority when casting a fly.(1.)  Riffles: Riffles consist of the shallow area of a river or stream where the current is above the average velocity, creating small rippled waves.  Riffles help oxygenate the water and support a large majority of aquatic insect life.  During a hatch, most fish will move into the riffles to take advantage of the swift/shallow water where an easy meal is not hard to find.

(2.) Rocks: Rocks offer all three needs of fish.  They provide a place to take shelter from the current, while allowing quick access to food drifting along with the current.  Rocks often disrupt the water, causing an assortment of water flows and holding spots.  Fish in front, behind and to the side of rocks, for all these spots have potential of holding numerous fish.

(3.) Seam: A seam is an area of water where a slow current meets a fast current.  This difference is usually caused by an obstruction in the water such as a rock, a log or an island.  Fish prefer seams because of the combination of slow water to conserve energy and fast water for quick access to food.  Seams are easy to spot and are a prime holding spot of fish.

(4.) River Bank: River banks are a major holding spot for fish.  Most banks have foliage which provides protection and shelter for the fish.  Terrestrial insects thrive in riverside foliage and in return provide food to the fish as they often fall or get blown into the river.  The water on river banks is usually slower than the water located in the middle of the river or stream and provide great dry fly opportunities to rainbow and especially brown trout.

(5.) Joined Seams: Joined seams are an area of river where two or more seams come together and form one major seam.  They can be easily spotted for they often form a “V” on the waters surface.  As insects drift along with the current, they eventually end up in a seam.  So an area where two or more seams conjoin, means twice the amount of food in one specific location.  Fish are aware of these areas and often take advantage of the opportunities they provide.