Fishing For Sea Trout With Ian Moutter APGAI    

Sea Trout Fly Fishing Methods

General

The tactics used when fishing for sea trout vary according to the conditions. In flood conditions, when the water is coloured, fishing during the day can be fruitful, big colourful flies are the order of the day. For the rest of the time, fishing at night will bring the best result, especially on the smaller rivers. That said on the larger rivers, with big deep pools and fast and powerful runs, Sea Trout can be taken at all times of the day. The secret is the fish must feel secure, because of this my serious sea trout fishing is all done at night.

Fishing Deep

On the whole I like to fish deep, using sunk lines or custom made sink tips. If there are big fish in the river then my favorite Sea Trout fly the Sunk Lure Tandem is used, touching the bottom occasionally should not be seen as a problem, rather as confirmation that your fly is where it should be. Often the Tandem is fished with a dropper. Over the years more fish have been taken on the Tandem rather than the dropper, but the combination certainly works well. The way the fly or flies are fished depend on the depth of water and control is required to achieve the right depth.

Fishing on the Surface

Now fishing on the surface using a wake causing fly, is exciting. Floating lines are used with a floating lure, it does exactly what it says, the fly is skimmed across the surface by using the current. The flies either use foam or some other floating material to ensure they float. I like a fly with a trailing hook.
The basic method is to cast 90 degrees across the river allowing the fly to float a short distance along the far bank. Then, by bringing the rod towards your own bank, the fly line will balloon downstream pulling the fly down and across the stream causing a wake in the surface of the water. The take is fast and furious and there is no need to strike, if the fish is hooked well, then it will be hooked well. If not hooked well you will probably lose the fish. Losing fish that take the floating lure is part of the game and must be expected.