You CAN Teach a Dog New Tricks
I'm a member of many fly fishing groups online, and they're chalk full of information. Some of it is good, some of it is better left to the vultures. Like anything online, you have to be skeptical of the information you're taking in. In being a member of these groups, you often get to connect with like-minded folks. In speaking with a couple people, we hold the same vision - if you aren't learning in fly fishing, you're dying. So, when I took the jump to ESN, I figured watching a couple videos and reading a few articles would have me primed to hit the water and rail fish like the guys from Team USA Fly Fishing. Boy, was I sorely mistaken. Having primed and persuaded the CEO (my wife) to invest in a new rod, I couldn't just let it lie around. So, after a couple trips to the creek with some success, I was faced with a decision. Anyone who is married knows that, in your wife's mind, fishing is kind of an expendable hobby. In other words, if you're not using your stuff - it's time to hold a yard sale. Not wanting my precious 3 weight to go into the hands of some unworthy suitor, I had to face my problem head on. This meant I had to figure this technique out, and adapt it to what would work for me. Like many of the experts in the U.S. state, ESN is really just a simplified version of many European styles. This adaptation, in its most rudimentary form does 2 things. First, it allows the angler to get a better presentation by reducing surface drag (see video on basics below). Second, it REALLY gets flies down. Unlike a traditional indicator setup, this method only relies on your sighter (a piece of backing, leader, or sighter material) to act as an indicator. Therefore, you get down, you make less commotion, you have a better drift, and you don't have to mend the line!
What Has Worked
Okay, I'm going to do this as simply as possible. Those of you who read my stuff, know me personally, or know me through others have gathered this - I. AM. LONG. WINDED.
1. First thing is first, make sure you're rigged right. The first time I was out, I rigged almost identically to my indicator setup. Yep, the leader was longer, but I wasn't tying on the dropper tag for the dropper fly. Therefore, I was losing some of the tactile sensation that makes this method so effective. So, read up on rigging. there are several resources online to help you rig for a ESN rod. Gil Fly Fishing has a nice article/image on this, and I've placed the link here. So, make sure your rig is right. Doing so has helped me tremendously.
2. Watch your sighter like a hawk. This has helped me become so much more observant on the water. Listen, not every fish is going to blast your rig like a nuclear warhead. You have to focus on your sighter. Much like an indicator, any twitch, hesitation, or awkward movement...you better be moving to set the hook. By watching the sighter, I've been able to detect really subtle takes that often go unnoticed by feel. Additionally, by doing so, I've caught fish that I never would have on a traditional indicator rig.
3. Pay attention to your angle. Your angle when casting the fly is really important. This dictates, essentially, how your drift is going to turn out. You drift is your presentation in any instance. So, you better make it a good one. Being aware of my body position and angle in relation to the current flow has established a pattern of better, more fluid drifts. In turn, yes, I've caught more fish.
4. This ain't your daddy's trout set. Those of us who've fished the indicator rig for a period of time know the feeling. You want to lift the rod tip swiftly and jam that hook into place. I'll admit, I still bounce fish doing it. It's a hard habit to break. Setting the hook with ESN is more of a "lift" than anything. The closest thing I can compare it to is streamer fishing. Because there is no "bobber" you're instantly tight with the fish. A traditional trout set risks pulling the hook on a subtle take. So, I've learned to set the hook by lifting up and downstream. This way I know I'm getting good hook placement. Devin Olsen's "Tactical Fly Fisher" has some awesome notes for first time ESN folks. If you're even thinking of getting into this technique, I suggest following the link: First Time ESN.
5. Practice, practice, practice. If there's any surefire way to get better at something it is through practice and repetition. Like I said above, after a few "less than stellar" days on the water, I wanted to toss this method aside and go back to indicator fishing. I knew deep down this was going to be more effective, but I had to practice.
What Doesn't Work
This section is going to be pretty short. Although I could list a myriad of things that will make the technique not work, I'm simply going to aggregate those smaller, more nuanced items under a bigger umbrella.
1. Not studying. This techniques WILL NOT work if you do not commit the time and effort to learning about it. It's like trying to do physics without knowing basic math. It's not going to work. Do yourself a favor, instead of binging on Netflix during the cold, snowy nights - look up some ESN stuff. Check out fly patterns, casting techniques, and rigging. Immerse yourself in it and be rewarded handsomely. Don't....and be disappointed.
2. Not practicing. Obviously, you're going to have to hit the water. And if you're not a "pro" after the first time, don't give up. This takes time. I've amassed so much knowledge in the past month, it's uncanny. However, to think I'm done learning is crazy talk. Get out, have fun, and practice the technique.
3. Thinking you know everything. We all know that person. Yeah, don't be them. You don't know everything, and there's always something new to pick up. Don't be so ego driven that you get locked into the idea that there's "one way" to do everything.
How Have We Fared?
To be honest, we've been killing it lately. This week was especially good. On average, I'm netting double-digits on a 3 hour jog. Additionally, the snow has melted, flows are around 60cfs, and the water temperature is warming up a bit. Fish are more eager to move to a fly if your drift isn't through the lane. It's worth noting that small hatches have begun lately. It's leading fish to the surface, and I've spied many sippers on the top of the water. I'm still rolling with the subsurface game, though. Jail baetis jigs, rainbow warriors, and scuds have been doing the trick. The Jail Baetis Jig is a simple, home grown deviation from the hot spot baetis jig. Add a little flash, pheasant tail, and a hot spot....and it's irresistible to hungry brown trout. Below is a pic for reference.
Fishy Media
The best part of my fishing, is documenting the fun I'm having. It's all amateur, and that shows. But I love sharing the joy and peace I get from this sport. It's a blast, and it will heal the most hardened of souls.
Keep 'em wet,
MB
