How to Catch Trout on a Dry Fly

Catching Trout on a dry fly is an exciting way to catch these wary predators. Your fly will sometimes disappear before your eyes in a flurry of white water, or a slow gulp. To learn how to catch more trout on dry flies, read on. This article will show you exactly how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Light weight fly rod (4 or 5 weight)
• Fly line
• Dry flies like the Caddis fly
• Waders

How to Catch Trout on a Dry Fly

1. Find a section of river where there is plenty of hiding spots for trout or an area with a swift current and slower pools.

2. Cast your dry fly so it lands upstream of where you think a trout is hiding. Then let the line float downstream towards the spot you want to fish.

3. Watch your line to ensure it floats drag-free over the spot where you think the trout is waiting. Any drag on the fly will cause the trout to ignore your dry fly.

4. When the trout takes the dry fly, set the hook with a sharp upward tug. Then land your fish safely with your own wet hand or a wet towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Trout will rarely take a dry fly that has drag. This means the fly is being pulled through the water by the current. Either the current is pulling your fly line downstream faster than it is pulling the fly downstream, or vice versa. If a trout isn't taking your dry fly, it is either the wrong pattern, or it has too much drag. If you cast your fly across fast water into a slower pool, and the line lays into the fast water, or your line moves into a slow pool, while the fly is being carried by faster water, you are putting drag on the fly. Adjust your cast so the entire line is pulled evenly downstream.
• Trout spook easily, so approach the river with caution and wade as quietly as possible. They are also line-shy. Avoid casting over areas where trout may be hiding, because if they see your line, they will scatter and spook the other fish. Dry fly fishing is exciting but challenging, and takes time to master.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• A good article on catching trout on a dry fly
• Alberta has some of the best dry-fly fishing for trout
• Dry Fly fishing vs. nymph fishing