Most experienced anglers probably started fly fishing in small streams. It may not be as immersive as deep water fly fishing, where you have the freedom to cast 35-foot lines without getting hung up, but no other type of fly fishing comes close to the excitement and scenery of small stream fly fishing.
Plus, it is very easy to fish in small streams. They are everywhere and do not require you to use fancy expensive equipment before wetting your line.
The only things that can trip you up are improper technique and a complete lack of gear.
Can you identify viable small streams, pick out suitable gear, and catch the fish you came for? As long as you carefully read through this guide, you’ll be able to answer yes to all those questions.
We have made everything easier by putting together a cohesive guide on the best tips and tricks for fly fishing small streams.
First, let’s talk about why you might want to fly fish in small streams.
Can You Fly Fish in Small Streams?
Small streams are perfect for fly fishing. Who cares if you can’t make long casts or backcasts like in deep pools? With small streams, the entire experience is amplified. Plus,small streams are abundant across North America.
You can find spring creeks in nearby woods, irrigation ditches in industrial and local areas, and small mountain streams if you wander far out of town. You can always get your line wet minutes from your home at any of these spots.
The best part is that these habitats are teeming with a rich amount of wild trout and bass that anglers often ignore. It’s a great idea to learn how to fly fish in small streams if you are new to fly fishing.
Essential Fly Fishing Gear for Small Streams
New anglers don’t need to get hooked up on expensive equipment. All you need is a decent rod and reel paired with an ideal fly line, a tippet and fly at the end, and other essential fishing gear that will make the experience comfortable.
Best Small Stream Fly Rod
For small streams, it is best to start with a 7-9 foot rod instead of a shorter rod.
Shorter rods might seem like the better choice because of their close reach and lesser tendencies to get hung up or spook the fish, but they only allow you to hold a small amount of line off the water.
With longer fishing rods, you can cast directly to the approximate location of the fish while keeping lots of lines off the water and reaching farther areas without spooking any fish.
If you must use a short rod because of the casting, then use a rod that can easily cast shorter lines, such as fiberglass rods that are around 6-7 feet. Even better if you can get a rod with no line for tighter areas and use your tippet alone.
Fly Fishing Reel
For a fly fishing reel, it’s best to go with an inexpensive one that is durable and functional. You’ll be casting shorter lines, so the reel will most likely serve as storage for your fishing line.
Floating Line
Small streams and creeks tend to be rocky with shallow water levels, so it’s best to use a floating line to keep the fly line from sinking. However, if you want your line to bend in tight areas, you can use a heavier line or double the line as an overline to the same effect.
Leaders and Tippets
Use a forward tapered leader around 7-9 ft long and a 4-6 ft tippet. For fishing rods with no fly line, you will only need longer tippets and leaders.
Wading Boots and Waders
Most anglers like to go wet wading when fly fishing in wild trout streams, but this might be inconvenient for beginners.
Even in the summer, stream water can be cold becausetemperatures tend to shift quickly in small streams. We usually recommend starting with durable wading boots and waders as a one-time investment that can last you a lifetime.
Fishing Net
Whether you are fly fishing small streams for brook, trout, or bass, you will need a small fishing net that will help catch and release whatever you land.
How Do You Cast in Small Streams?
The roll cast is arguably the best casting technique when fly fishing small streams. With it, you can avoid a backcast entirely if you are in tight areas or if there are lots of overhanging trees and shrubs.
You need to get into an ideal roll cast position to perform the roll cast. Put your hands right across your shoulder with the rod angled about 30-45 degrees backward from your head.
Next, slightly flick your hand out and make the cast, fully extending the fly line above the water before landing the fly on the surface.
You’ll be able to cast perfectly in small streams without any issues using this method.
Another technique to master if you want some variety is the bow and arrow cast, which essentially casts the fly and your entire gear directly at the fish in one smooth flick.
Fly Fishing Small Streams for Trout and Bass
One of the reasons anglers love fly fishing for bass and trout in small streams is the abundance of fish. If you time it right, you will almost always land a catch on your first few casts.
You must understand:
- How to time your cast
- When to wait and observe
- Where to cast your fly line for a catch
The temperature of small streams undergoes extreme fluctuations throughout the day thataffect the presence of fish in the stream.
The best time to fly fish in small streams is mid-morning or when temperatures are above 50 degrees and preferably no lower than 45.
You also have to consider the direction of the stream. For example, trout usually face upstream to catch food in the water, so cast upstream to place your fly more naturally.
Tips for Fly Fishing Small Streams
Change Retrieve Before Changing Flies
If you fail to lure fish in stream fishing, it might not be that your fly is not attractive enough, but rather that you have failed to animate the fly.
To achieve this, change and vary your retrieve before you change your fly. For example, the short bursts of movement you get from a short retrieve with gaps in between or a long draw and stop retrieve are enough to suddenly make your artificial fly more attractive and natural.
Wait and Observe
This might seem like standard advice, but you’d be surprised how many anglers neglect this. Don’t just show up near a shallow stream and start casting.
Take a slow approach and observe the scenery. Look at the kinds of flies on the water’s surface and other types of food like minnows and leeches that might already be in the habitat so that you know precisely which fly to imitate.
Also, observing a part of a stream should inform you of the possibilities of the fish’s location.
Move Quietly and With Purpose
Don’t move too slow or too fast, but rather try to move like a hunter stalking its prey. Be silent but intentional as you walk along the water.
Don’t stay in one area of the stream and repeatedly cast to no end. Move fast and keep on moving with purpose. Try to keep your shadows out of the water and avoid sudden movement that will cause significant ripples in the water, especially in a slow-moving stream.
Control Your Fly Intently
Mimicking natural flies ultimately means keeping as much line as you can from the water and timing your retrieves to simulate movement.
In most small streams, you will be making shorter casts and working with limited room, so you need to control where your fly lands by casting to appropriate locations as you move along the stream.
Look for structures that look like a good place for trout, bass, and perch, and smoothly cast your fly in those areas.
Fly Fishing Small Streams With Ease
While you have more freedom on deep lakes and large rivers, fly fishing small streams presents you with many opportunities to learn as a new angler.
Now that you know how to fly fish on small streams, all you have to do is pick out viable streams and gear and remember our tips and tricks.
You can easily find a small stream wherever you are. They offer incredible scenery and excitement and are often brimming with growing trout, bass, and perch. Plus, you don’t need any expensive equipment to net your first catch.
Remember that visibility is high, and you have to be very intentional when approaching the water. Good luck!
