The Streamer Bite was On!

I am far more confident fishing with nymphs using a tight line mono rig than I am fishing streamers.

Any confidence I own is because of an afternoon spent with my friend Domenick Swentosky of Troutbitten. He showed me his system for wade fishing streamers and it was a game changer.

Admittedly, like most of us, I mostly went back to fishing my old ways and didn’t do enough practice. That has been changing lately as I am emphasizing streamer fishing every time I go out in the early morning to get more practice…and it is starting to work (or, I got lucky).

The other day I got out in the middle of the week after some pretty big rains (and before the river rose too much) and had pre-committed to streamer fishing and had my 9’9” 4wt Hardy Ultralite LL with me. I had on my streamer confidence fly (the Troutbitten Half-Pint in black) and decided to fish my way downstream of where I walked in to the river. There is a big pool (up to 4ft deep) followed by a long glide with depths of up to 5’ or more for about 200 yards.

Literally, on my second cast as I fished across and let it sink below me and then did the jerk/strip Dom showed me I was into a nice 12” wild brown trout (pretty nice for that section).

Man, I got to say that a streamer bite is addictive. In short order, I had three more wild browns from that section smoke the fly on my way downstream.

I literally had so much fun I almost called it a day then…but, then I regained my sanity and kept fishing.

Switching to a double nymph rig I fished my way back up to my entry point and then continued on upstream. I had a few bites but nothing as solid or hot as the early part of the session.

Until I hit another long glide and decided to fish dry dropper on the mono rig. The water was starting to get more stained as it came up and I was able to confidently wade pretty close to target good water.

This big stocker in great condition smoked the nymph and was a ton of fun to fight.

All in all, I have had days with bigger numbers. However, this was one of the most fun session I can remember this year. Practice turned into confidence and I just enjoyed the rest of the day even though I didn’t land a bunch more fish.

Versatility was the name of the day (at least that day) and it worked for me.

How is your fishing going where you are? We are really in the summer burn right now and I am spending most of my time on tail water fisheries to prioritize fish health and mortality. Just too hot on the freestones to fish (at least the ones I can get to quickly).

All the best,

Mike