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Littoral Zone #11 | Inducing a Take: Stillwater Presentation Techniques to Catch More Fish with Phil Rowley
Season 10 Episode 640
Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/640
Presented By: Waters West, Visit Helena, MT, Jackson Hole Fly Company,
Phil Rowley is back with the ultimate guide to inducing a take in Stillwater! In today's episode, we're diving deep into the unique challenges and techniques of stillwater fishing.
We'll cover rod and hand position, retrieve essentials, and how to use 'the hang' to keep your fly in the strike zone longer. Plus, discover top indicator retrieves, wind drifting techniques, and fan casting methods.
Episode Chapters with Phil Rowley on Inducing a Take
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Let's dive into today's subject—inducing a take. Here are some key points we'll cover with Phil today:
Rod and Hand Position: How to hold your rod for the best results. Retrieve Essentials: Key techniques for retrieving your line. The Hang: A method to keep your fly in the strike zone longer. Indicator Retrieves: Popular methods for fishing with indicators. Wind Drifting and Strike Zone: Techniques to adjust your strategy with or without an indicator. Fan Casting and Loch Style: Methods to cover more water and specific loch style techniques.
Check out Phil's episode with Devin Oslen for more on Loch-style technique.
07:00 - Presenting your fly in stillwaters can be tricky since there's little to no current to help you. Most fish feed near the bottom, where it's safe. The key is to move the fly in a way that attracts fish.
Rod and Hand Position
08:40 - Getting your rod in the right position when fishing helps eliminate slack and ensures you have direct contact with your fly, so you don't miss any takes.
Keep the rod tip low or even in the water for subsurface presentations. When fishing dry flies, hold the rod higher to create some slack and time your strike better.
Always be ready to set the hook quickly because fish will spit out the fly fast if they realize it's not food.
11:38 - Use your forefinger to control the line tension when fighting a fish. Phil also recommends putting fish on the reel to avoid tangles and practice for big catches.
Use side pressure to tire out the fish quickly, and keep the rod angle low to prevent the fish from jumping.
Retrieve Essentials
17:26 - The "drop" is when your fly hits the water and starts sinking. Get your rod and hands in position to gather any slack. Sometimes fish grab the fly as it descends, so be ready!
After the drop, start the retrieve using a countdown system to get the fly to the right depth, usually near the bottom. Begin with two quick strips to attract fish and eliminate slack. Your retrieve should mimic the natural movements of insects in the water.
21:00 - Phil Rowley breaks down the retrieve into four key elements:
Length of the Pull: Determine how much fly line you gather with each hand motion. Speed: Adjust the pace at which you pull or gather the line. Retrieve Cadence: Vary your rhythm, such as using quick strips or slow pulls, to mimic natural movement. Pause: Pauses can trigger strikes from fish attracted to sudden stillness. Phil's Four Core Stillwater Retrieves
2:43 - Phil Rowley emphasizes key retrieves essential for stillwater fly fishing. Here's a breakdown of these techniques:
Hand Twist (Figure Eight or Hand Weave): This retrieve involves twisting the line with your hand, creating erratic movements to mimic various aquatic insects. It's versatile in speed and can imitate baitfish to chironomids. Strip Retrieve: Si
Published on 1 year, 4 months ago