Fly fishing high water

[EugeneFisher]

I'm still relatively new to fly fishing (2 years now), so forgive my ignorance if this question seems stupid. I've been noticing a fair amount of people catching fish in the Community board despite the high waters. I can't buy myself a bite in these conditions on gear, let alone a fly. But I was curious if anyone finds fly fishing high, off-colored water productive? If so, what techniques usually pay off the most?

[AndyK]

The biggest problems when fishing high/discolored water is finding the fish and presenting the fly in a manner that the fish will see and strike it.

When the rivers are high, there is more water to cover and the fish don't always lay where they would normally. Sometimes they will be right against the bank where the water is shallower and a little clearer.

With the volume and speed of the water, it is more difficult to get a fly down to the fish if they are not against a bank. With colored water, it is also harder for the fish to see the fly, although I have caught many fish in dirty water with dark flies.

Finally, it is more dangerous to fish in high discolored water. Wading can be treacherous when you can't see the bottom and a slight slip in the fast current will almost guarantee a dunking.

Dirty water doesn't deter me as much as the high fast currents. Since I practically grew up fishing the Sandy River (which seems to be dirty all summer and occasionally during the rest of the year), I learned to fish when the water wasn't as clear as I would like.

BTW, in the fall, 2004 I was fishing for Coho in water that was so dirty that I had a fish actually swim into my leg. I almost had to head for shore to empty my waders! And I did catch fish that day: on a Black Gordon fished shallow (above the fish so they could see the fly silhouetted against the sky).

[mandinga]

i enjoy fishing high water...

I look to seams and tailouts for my fish...let the gear fisherman pound those deep holes.

I have found many steelhead hanging a feew feet from shore.

[Blue Tip Spinner]

i do better on the deschutes in high water. i hit the edges of shore and do extremely well. i also use a san juan worm or a really bright egg pattern with enough lead to get it down right away in the fast current.

[Chas]

Look for seams, slower water and fish next to the bank with a T 300 or spey with type 8. Short lines lots of quick mends to get it down. The key is locating slow water and staying inside the main current, pocket water is tough to set the fly up so the fish can have a shot. You will find the fish in slack water next to the bank or in close off ledges. Also if you should find a small tributary with clear looking water you will find them holding tight, just below it.

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"My Birthday began with the water"
Dylan Thomas