Small Stream Fly Fishing Problems?

Question

I have started fly fishing a very small stream (8-10 feet wide, 4-6 feet deep pools), My only problem is that the sides of the stream are covered with reeds, willows, and trees and there are many tree branches over the top of the stream. This means that there is no room to cast overhead from either the sides or in the stream, because there is no room to stand on the sides of the stream. Does anyone have any suggestions for ways I can tackle this stream?

Answer 1

The other posters have given you good advice and I answered your later question too, but I have one more thought to offer.  When I was a young man fishing the tiny streams in the Shenandoah National Park I used a 6 ft fly rod so I could stay out of the overhead branches etc.  I don't know if you can find such short fly rods any more.  You can probably make one pretty easily from some blanks or by cutting down a longer commercially made rod.  You could also use the upper three sections of a 4 piece rod and use a handle with a mating ferrule.

Good luck and have fun - 73 from the Fisherman

Answer 2

Depending on the length of your fly rod a roll cast can work very well, as can the bow and arrow cast as suggested to you by e.b, just beware of where the fly is as it can be dangerous if not released in time.

Answer 3

Guess I'd recommend that you fish it rather than tackle it.  But, here's what you do.  Use floating line and a reasonable short tippet, and simply float your fly or lure down stream and into the pools.  Used to do that all the time in a narrower stream than you describe and it works pretty well.  I can almost taste the trout now.

Answer 4

That's just one of the joys of fishing small streams!

Stand on the bank and use the stream channel as a casting lane.  Practice your sidearm casting technique away from the stream.  With enough practice, it will become quite natural.  You will still lose flies in the foliage, but you can still make decent presentations.

Some might suggest dapping or going to the bow & arrow cast.  That's a last resort, to me, and I believe a sidearm cast as suggested will work on most small streams, especially the canopy stream you describe.

Answer 5

its good to float flies with the natural drift of the stream, learn how to side cast, it saves your life on some of these small secluded streams