How to Fish With Streamers
Streamer fishing involves using fly-fishing equipment to fish fly patterns that resemble minnows rather than insects. This form of fly-fishing permits an angler to cover a lot of water and is particularly effective for larger fish. However, streamer fishing techniques are quite different from other forms of fly-fishing because streamer patterns imitate an entirely different food form with the ability to move quickly through the water
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Things You'll Need
- Fly rod Fly reel Fly line Leader Streamer flies in a variety of patterns Waders or hip boots
Instructions
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How to Fish with Streamer Flies
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1
Choose the proper rod and reel. Streamer flies typically are much larger and more wind-resistant than other fly patterns. Consequently, the fishing tackle used for streamer fishing should be heavy enough to handle larger fly patterns with ease. A 6-weight fishing outfit (rod and line combination) or an 8-weight outfit should be sufficient to handle most streamers.
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2
Choose the proper streamer. The particular pattern of streamer is less important than the fly's color and size. Drab streamers in smaller sizes work better in clear water, while large colorful streamers tend to work best in murky water. Affix the fly to your fly line using a strong leader with at least a 3X rating.
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3
Select a location to begin fishing. Tom McNally, author of "The Complete Book of Fly Fishing," prefers to fish a pool or run by starting at the head and working his way downstream.
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4
Cast the streamer across the current and slightly downstream of your position.
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5
Create motion with the fly while it swings through the current. Motion can be provided by pulling in line using your free hand (known as "stripping") or by twitching the tip of the rod.
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6
Strip line to bring the streamer toward you once the fly is directly downstream of your position.
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7
Make another cast approximately 10 feet away from your previous cast and repeat steps 5 and 6.
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Tips & Warnings
Streamers are tied using materials such as bucktail fibers, synthetic fibers, and feathers. When fishing a streamer, the rod tip should be held low in order to maintain control of the fly and to strike quickly upward when a fish hits the streamer. Most fish hit a streamer while it is arcing through the current, but strikes are not uncommon even after the fly is directly downstream of the angler.
Streamer fishing frequently involves wading in fast currents. Be extremely careful while wading, and never try to fish and wade at the same time. Never cast directly to a location harboring a fish. Instead, cast several feet above the fish and guide the fly to the fish by stripping line and using the current.
