4 Keys to Fly Fishing with Streamers — Ultimate Beginner's Guide | Module 6, Section 4

Summary

This video script offers a simplified guide to fishing with streamers, a versatile technique that can cater to both beginner and experienced anglers. It emphasizes four key aspects: selecting the appropriate fly to imitate natural food sources, finding suitable streamer water such as deeper and slower runs, effectively covering water with varied retrieval techniques, and most importantly, experimenting with different approaches to discover what works best on any given day. The script illustrates practical applications with an on-location demonstration, highlighting the fun and success that can be achieved with a creative and flexible approach to streamer fishing.

Takeaways

• 🎣 Streamer fishing can be as simple or as complicated as desired, with options ranging from basic to high-tech setups.
• 🐟 The purpose of a streamer is to imitate various food sources for trout, such as smaller trout, baitfish, crayfish, or leeches.
• 🌞 When choosing a streamer, consider the weather; bright flies for bright days and dark flies for dark days, but feel free to experiment.
• 🏞️ Target deeper, slower water for streamer fishing, as trout prefer these areas and it increases the chance of success.
• 🔍 Streamers are meant to cover a lot of water, with the idea that if a trout is going to bite, it will likely happen on the first or second presentation.
• 🎯 Three main techniques for covering water with streamers are the basic retrieve, swinging, and dead drifting.
• 🔄 Vary the retrieval technique by changing the speed and rhythm of your strips to imitate natural prey and entice fish.
• 🎈 When swinging a streamer, ensure the correct depth is achieved for the best chance of attracting fish.
• 💡 Dead drifting a streamer is akin to nymphing but with a larger fly, and can be an effective method for catching larger trout.
• 🚀 Encourage creativity and rule-breaking when fishing with streamers, as there's no one-size-fits-all approach to success.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is about fishing with streamers, specifically how to simplify the process for beginners and cover the 'how-to' aspects of streamer fishing.

Why does the video not cover setting up a streamer rig?

The video does not cover setting up a streamer rig because there is already a separate video dedicated to that topic, and a link to it is provided in the description.

What are the four keys to fishing with streamers mentioned in the script?

The four keys to fishing with streamers mentioned in the script are: 1) Pick the right fly, 2) Find the streamer water, 3) Cover the water effectively, and 4) Break the rules and experiment with different techniques.

What does the script suggest as a simple way to start streamer fishing?

The script suggests starting with a 9-foot 5-weight rod, a woolly bugger, and walking out to the river to catch some fish as a simple way to begin streamer fishing.

What are streamers imitating according to the script?

Streamers can imitate various food sources that trout have available to them, such as smaller trout, sculpin, bait fish, crayfish, crawdads, leeches, or large insects.

What is the 'age-old adage' for picking a streamer according to the script?

The 'age-old adage' for picking a streamer is to use a bright fly on a bright day and a dark fly on a dark day.

What type of water is recommended for fishing with streamers?

The recommended water type for fishing with streamers is deeper, slower runs and pools, as trout tend to hang out in such areas.

What are the three ways to effectively cover water when fishing with a streamer?

The three ways to effectively cover water when fishing with a streamer are: 1) The basic retrieve, 2) Fishing on the swing, and 3) Dead drifting the streamer.

What is the importance of playing around with different aspects when fishing with streamers?

Playing around with different aspects such as the size, color, and retrieve of the streamer can help determine what will entice the fish to bite on a given day, increasing the chances of success.

What is the next video in the series about?

The next video in the series is about teaching viewers how to sneak up on trout without spooking them, likening the approach to that of a lion on the Serengeti.

Outlines

00:00

🎣 Introduction to Streamer Fishing

The video script begins with a humorous conversation about the complexity of fishing streamers, leading into a discussion on the simplicity of fishing. The narrator emphasizes that streamer fishing can be tailored to the individual's preference, from a basic setup to a high-end, complex rig. The video aims to simplify streamer fishing for beginners, focusing on four key aspects: choosing the right fly, finding suitable streamer water, covering water effectively, and breaking the rules to find what works. The narrator mentions that streamers can imitate various food sources for trout, such as smaller trout, baitfish, crayfish, and leeches. The importance of matching the fly's brightness to the lighting conditions is highlighted, along with the suggestion to experiment with different colors, sizes, and shapes to attract fish.

05:01

🏞️ Techniques for Effective Streamer Fishing

This paragraph delves into the specifics of fishing with streamers, detailing three primary methods to cover water effectively. The first method involves a basic retrieve, where the streamer is cast and the line is stripped back with varied speed to imitate wounded or escaping prey. The second method is fishing on the swing, where the streamer is cast across and allowed to swing with the current, with occasional strips to entice fish. The third method is dead drifting the streamer, akin to nymphing but with a streamer, which can be particularly effective in imitating struggling prey. The narrator shares personal experiences and preferences, advocating for creativity and experimentation with different retrieves and presentations to increase the chances of success.

10:07

🎥 Demonstration of Streamer Fishing Techniques

The final paragraph of the script transitions from theory to practice, with the narrator demonstrating streamer fishing techniques on a favorite river. The video showcases the selection of an appropriate pool for streamer fishing, considering factors like depth and speed of the water, as well as casting room. The narrator describes the process of casting upstream, allowing the streamer to sink, and then employing a combination of stripping and bouncing to mimic an enticing meal for the fish. The demonstration culminates in a successful catch, emphasizing the effectiveness of the techniques discussed. The script concludes with a teaser for the next video in the series, which will focus on stealthily approaching trout without alerting them.

Keywords

💡Streamer

A streamer in fly fishing is an artificial lure designed to imitate the movement of baitfish, leeches, or other prey in the water. It is an essential part of the video's theme as the script discusses various techniques for fishing with streamers. The video aims to simplify the use of streamers for beginners and covers different methods such as basic retrieve, swing, and dead drift, as well as the importance of choosing the right fly to imitate natural food sources for trout.

💡Woolley Bugger

The Woolly Bugger is a popular type of streamer fly that imitates a nymph or small baitfish. It is mentioned in the script as an example of a simple fly that can be used for streamer fishing. The Woolly Bugger is significant in the video's narrative as it represents the concept of streamer fishing being uncomplicated and accessible, even with a basic fly.

💡Sculpin

A sculpin is a type of fish that can be found in rivers and is often imitated by streamer flies. In the context of the video, streamers can be designed to mimic sculpins, providing an example of how streamers can imitate various natural food sources available to trout. This highlights the diversity of streamer designs and their purpose in attracting different types of fish.

💡Crayfish

Crayfish, also referred to as crawdads or crawfish in the script, are freshwater crustaceans that are a common food source for trout. Streamer flies can be designed to imitate crayfish, which is an important concept in the video as it demonstrates the versatility of streamers in replicating different prey for trout. This is part of the broader theme of matching the hatch and selecting the appropriate fly for successful fishing.

💡Leeches

Leeches are another type of prey that trout may feed on, and they can also be imitated by streamer flies. The script mentions leech imitation as part of the variety of food sources that streamers can represent. This illustrates the importance of having a range of streamer patterns to match the natural environment and the feeding habits of the fish.

💡Basic Retrieve

The basic retrieve is a technique described in the script where a streamer is cast and then the line is stripped back towards the angler. This technique is fundamental to the video's instruction on how to fish with streamers, as it involves varying the speed and rhythm of the strips to imitate the movement of natural prey and entice a predatory response from the fish.

💡Swing

In the context of fly fishing, a swing refers to the method of allowing the fly to move with the current after casting it across the stream. The script mentions fishing a streamer on the swing as a way to cover water effectively. This technique is part of the video's exploration of different ways to present streamers to fish, emphasizing the importance of achieving the correct depth and adding character to the fly's movement.

💡Dead Drift

Dead drifting a streamer is a technique that involves allowing the streamer to move naturally with the current, similar to nymphing but with a streamer fly. The script describes this as one of the presenter's favorite ways to fish streamers, highlighting it as an effective method for catching larger trout. This technique is part of the video's message on the adaptability and creativity involved in streamer fishing.

💡Mend

Mending is the act of manipulating the fly line to control the drift of the fly and achieve the desired depth or position in the water. The script discusses mending in the context of achieving the correct depth when swinging a streamer. This concept is important for understanding how to control the presentation of the fly to match the fishing conditions and the behavior of the fish.

💡Presentation

Presentation in fly fishing refers to how the fly is presented to the fish, which includes factors like the fly's movement, depth, and the angler's casting technique. The script emphasizes the importance of presentation when fishing with streamers, as it can greatly influence whether a fish will be attracted to and strike the fly. This is a key concept in the video's overall message on the art and skill of streamer fishing.

Highlights

Streamers can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.

Streamers imitate different food sources available to trout, such as smaller trout, bait fish, crayfish, or leeches.

A simple rule for choosing a streamer is to use a bright fly on a bright day and a dark fly on a dark day.

Experiment with color, size, and shape of the streamer to see what works best for the fish on a particular day.

Focus on fishing streamers in deeper, slower runs and pools for higher success rates.

Riffles can be good for streamers depending on the time of year.

Cover a lot of water when fishing with streamers to increase chances of encountering fish.

Trout are more likely to eat a streamer on the first or second presentation, so move on if no fish are interested.

Three ways to cover water with a streamer: basic retrieve, swing, and dead drift.

Vary the speed and character of your retrieve to imitate different types of prey.

Achieving the correct depth is important when swinging a streamer.

Dead drifting a streamer can be effective, especially with a crayfish imitation.

Presentation and mending are less critical when dead drifting a streamer.

There are no rules when fishing with streamers; play around with everything to find what works.

Fishing with streamers can be a creative and fun way to catch larger trout.

Practical demonstration of streamer fishing in a real river situation.

Using a woolly bugger or leech pattern in deeper pools can be an effective and simple approach.

Next video will teach how to approach trout stealthily without spooking them.

Transcripts

what are you going to tie

on I don't know maybe a circus

peanut what or maybe a meat whistle or a

belly

scratcher you've had way too many Die

Cokes today what you don't like fishing

streamers it's just so complicated man I

mean I wish somebody would just make

like a simple howto streamer

video

h

streamer fishing could be as simple or

as complicated as you want to make it

you can grab your 9 fo5 weight in a

woolly bugger walk out to the river and

catch some fish and have some success

with that or you can grab your sink tip

line and your $1,000 spay rod and your

Gadget heads and whatever else and walk

out to the river and try and fish

streamers with that but just like

everything else here at vfc we're going

to simplify streamers down into

something that is manageable for a

beginner now in this video we're not

going to cover how to set up a streamer

rig we actually already have a separate

video for that and there's a link to it

in the description instead this video is

going to cover the howto so let's go

over our four keys to fishing with

streamers key number one pick the right

fly we've talked a ton about matching

the hatch and picking the right fly in

this beginning master class and just

like with d nymphs with streamers were

actually imitating different food

sources that trout have available to

them a streamer could imitate a smaller

trout or it could imitate a sculpin or

other type of bait fish that's commonly

found in the river streamers can also

imitate crayfish or crawdads or crawfish

or however the heck you say it they can

also imitate leeches or really big NPS

too kind of like me right now I'm a

little little on the Hefty side the

point is streamers aren't just there to

make a fish angry and Trigger that

predatory response yes streamers

certainly will do that and some fish

will eat the streamer just because they

see it and they get angry and they just

want to smack it out of there but more

often than not you want your streamer to

at least somewhat resemble food items

that trout might find in the river

the only real rule when picking your

streamer is one that seems a little

counterintuitive but it's an age-old

adage that you actually might have heard

if it's a bright day you want a bright

fly and if it's a dark day you want a

dark fly I've used that method to pick

my streamers and it works it's an

age-old adage for a reason but to quote

a famous pirate that's really only a

guideline don't be afraid to mess around

with the color and the size and the

shape your streamer to see what exactly

is going to get fish to move that day

key number two find that streamer water

you got to make sure you're fishing

streamers in water where they're going

to have a higher chance of success and

that water type is going to be your

deeper slower runs and pools riffles can

be good for streamers but it's kind of

dependent on the time of year and I

would recommend instead focusing on

finding that ideal walk speed water that

trout love to hang out in because that's

where you're going to have a lot more

success fishing or streamers an

important thing to remember with

streamers is you are going to cover a

ton of water as you're fishing with

these bad boys you want to get that

streamer in front of as many fish as

possible and generally speaking if a

Trout's going to eat a streamer they're

going to do it on that first or second

presentation so if you've covered a good

spot and nothing's bumped it then move

on to the next spot and again that's

part of streamer fishing you're going to

cover a ton of water you won't catch as

many fish fishing with streamers as you

would with nymphs or maybe even dry

flies but you have a much better chance

at hooking in that 39 and 5/8 inch

trophy trout that you can hang above the

mantel place right I'm kidding we don't

hang trout Above The Mantel Place

anymore who can afford a mantle these

days in this economy come on but that

leads us perfectly into our next key

which is cover ing the water when you're

fishing with a streamer you've got three

ways that you can effectively cover

water the first way is what we're going

to call the basic retrieve cast a

streamer either slightly upstream or

directly across from you to the opposite

bank then you're going to strip that

line back towards you keep in mind that

you are imitating food that has come out

of hiding it might be wounded or trying

to swim through the current so you will

want to vary your strips some of them

are going to be very fast some are going

to be slow sometimes you'll do four or

five quick strips in a row with a long

pause and then maybe a long slower strip

if one retrieve isn't working try

another you just never know what fish

are looking for on any given day the

second way to cover water is on the

swing to fish a streamer on the swing

you're going to cast it straight across

from you then hold the line tight and

let it swing with the current once the

line is directly below you give it a

couple of strips occasionally fish will

follow the streamer all the way up to

the end of the Swing so it is important

to make sure that you give it a little

bit of character at the end of the Swing

to entice any fish that might be on the

fence to eat your fly an important

element to swinging is achieving the

correct depth if you want it deeper cast

further upstream or give an upstream

mend or you can tie on a heavier fly or

use a sink tip fly line the third way to

cover water is to dead drift that

streamer this is essentially nymphing

but with a streamer I actually did this

a bunch this past summer with a crwad

imitation and caught a ton of big trout

doing this this is probably one of my

favorite ways to fish streamers

presentation and mending are not nearly

as critical at this setup as they are

with nymphs or dries remember that

streamer is imitating something that

might be struggling or trying to escape

something else or it's wounded so any

extra movement that you add to that

drift might be just a ticket to entice a

trout to come eat your fly key number

four and this one's my favorite cuz

we're talking about breaking the rules

there are no rules fishing with

streamers play around with everything

play around with the size of the fly

that you picked play around with the

color play around with the retrieve

swing it dead drift it strip it in

really quick do it really slow and soft

whatever you want to do to add some

variety to it because you never know

what is going to trick trigger that

trout to eat that streamer so get out

there and break the rules but don't hold

vfc liel please and thank you now that

we have a solid understanding of how to

fish streamers we're going to go back in

time to when it wasn't 16° outside and

go visit one of my favorite little

rivers and watch this stuff in

[Music]

action

[Music]

I'm out here on this little stream that

I love and we got up to this pool you

can see it behind me and it is just

begging to be fish with a streamer so

let's take everything that we just

learned and put it into practice I think

this is really good streamer water

because it's a little bit deeper it's

slower moving and I know this River

really well and I know the bigger fish

really like to hang out in this stuff if

I'm wanting to put a a bigger fish in

the net a streamer is going to be a

really good chance to do that so I just

think the combination of the depth and

the river speed and the fact that I have

casting room too I mean you look around

there's not a lot of stuff around me so

this just gives me a really good

opportunity uh to actually make the

streamer cast and get my flies up

there let me remove the salad that I

somehow got on the Fly before even

casting so I've got the streamer I have

on is not super

heavy so I'm going to cast it Upstream a

little bit further so it's got time to

sink down and I'm really just going to

let this kind of dead drift for a little

bit and then I'll start stripping and

bouncing it maybe a little bit towards

the end of the

drift all

right well I am just going to make kind

of a quartering Upstream

cast let it drift and I'm just barely

just bumping and stripping it through

this deeper

water just bouncing it just trying to

make it look like a somewhat enticing

meal to any of the fish that might be

hanging out in

here

I'm going to move up a little

bit I can see that the streamer is not

getting quite as deep as I would like so

that means I need to let it sink a

little bit more before I start mouning

it so I'm going to let it sink I'm

watching the tip of my fly line now I'm

going to pull it

through see if we can't get the fish to

come to come play

oh fish on

woohoo strip strip strip

boom oh

yeah that was

[Music]

fun

what I'd really like to drive home about

that streamer e just barely is this is

just one way that you can fish streamers

on a river like this it would have I I

mean I can't say it would have but it

might have been almost as effective to

stick that streamer under an indicator

and just dead drift it through the

Run especially with all the really big

Stone flies that we're seeing out on the

River today there's a really good chance

that a fish would see that bigger

streamer and just pounce on it cuz it

might look like a bigger Stone fly n so

again you want to remember there's no

right or wrong way to fish streamers

through there you guys saw my

presentation I was casting Upstream I

was letting it sink I would strip strip

strip I'd bounce it I'd use the tip of

the rod a little bit to almost jig that

streamer get creative I know I've said

that a ton in this module but you really

do want to get creative when you're

fishing streamers especially water like

this it makes it a ton of fun and I

think you'll end up finding a lot more

success see Catch and trout on streamers

really can be that easy you just tie on

a woolly bugger or a leech walk out to a

deeper pool and strip it on through and

sometimes it works just like you want it

to now for the next video in this series

I'm going to teach you how to sneak up

on trout without spooking them that's

right I'm going to help you become just

like a lion out there on the serengetti

[Music]