When trout streams become low and clear the trout continue to feed but they are very wary. These tactics help me catch them but strangely enough the first three steps begin before entering the pool you plan to fish.
A. From the pool below: 1. Dry and dress your fly so you don’t have to false cast over the pool you plan to fish because this could scare the trout. 2. Survey the pool above which you plan to fish in order to spot any trout on feeding stations, any rising trout, or the best feeding stations. 3. Plan your route of approach to the above pool which will conceal your approach so you do not scare the trout and will get you to a location that will enable you to present your fly without lining the trout.
B. Carefully move into your concealed casting position which may require going to your hands and knees. 1. If your trout is rising to naturals wait until he takes three more naturals to assure that you have not spooked him with your approach. 2. Study the currents around the feeding trout in order to determine the exact direction of the flow. This understanding will enable your to know if a slack line cast is needed in order to have your fly drift naturally to the trout with no drag. The “Puddle cast” where the presentation cast is made with five feet of extra line and stopped 20 degrees above the water is my favorite slack line cast because it allows the line to fall on the stream in controlled slack. The “Lazy-S” cast were the rod tip is swung from side to side several times on the presentation cast is another excellent slack line cast. 3. Following these basic steps will often help you catch trout in the most demanding low-stream conditions all across the country.
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