Fly Fishing Tips and Techniques from Norm
Regardless of whether you're a beginning fly fisher or a seasoned veteran looking to improve your skills, we have some special tips and techniques that will make your days on a trout stream more successful:
Buying a Fly Reel to Go With Your New Fly Rod - You've read what we wrote about choosing your first fly rod, made your decision and made your purchase. Now you need to buy a fly reel to go with it. What things should you consider? Learn more...
Tips for Improving Your Dry Fly Fishing: Foam is your friend. In business and in law enforcement the key phrase is "Follow the Money" - in fly fishing the phrase should be "Follow the Foam". Besides telling you how the stream is flowing, the foam line will also tell you how good or bad your drift is. Learn more...
Stream Flow and Fly Fishing: Runoff and Hydrographs. You're getting ready to go fishing. You have an eye on the stream gages in the area you plan to fish, and your other eye on the Weather Channel. No recent rain and no rain predicted – no problem. Recent rain or rain predicted – no problem? Learn more...
Stream Flow and Fly Fishing: How a Stream Gage Works. You walk into just about any fly shop in the world and there are two things you can damn near bet will be on the “fishing board”; one will be olive wooly buggers is the one of the recommended flies. The other thing will be a listing of the stream flow in CFS. What exactly does it mean? Learn more...
Snow Water and Predicting When to Take Your Trip. If you are planning your summer fly fishing trip, Norm's information on finding and understanding snow water levels can make the difference between a great fishing trip and just another fishing trip. Learn more...
It is easy to get hurt out on the stream. Each time out we subject ourselves to the potential for cuts, scratches, bruises, insect bites and burns. And, when we are off the beaten track in search of the new species for our life list the risk is even greater. Here are a few tips for a kit that will allow you to treat most minor injuries in the field and keep you from ending your fishing trip prematurely. Learn more...
This may sound like sacrilege, but I’m a bit envious of golfers. What makes me most envious is that they have a bag full of clubs. No matter what situation they encounter, they have the right club to use. Just think how nice it would be to come to a deep run on the river and be able to turn to your caddy and say, “bring me the 7 foot 6 inch slow action 3 weight.” Learn more...
If you have ever spent any time on one of Missouri’s Ozark trout streams you probably have seen a patch of watercress. This is a sure sign that you need to stop and fish. And, there's a lot more to watercress than just that - it's a culinary treat when used in Stream Side Adventure's special "Salmon, Goat Cheese and Watercress Spread." Learn more...
Trout don't move very far from their preferred location when feeding on drifting nymphs. If you want to be successful, your nymph has to be in the feeding lane, from side-to-side and at the feeding depth. Understanding how water flows in a stream channel will improve your fishing success. Learn more...
How many times have you wished you were just a little bit better caster! If you are like us it is every time your on the stream. Here are some hints, by Dr. Robert Hautala, on how to make practicing time pay off on the stream. Learn more...
One of the great arguments of the world - one that ranks up there with "the chicken or the egg" - is "presentation vs. pattern". Years of experience in fly fishing around the world demonstrates that you can fish any place with a very simple fly box. Want to know what it should contain? Learn more...
The majority of Missouri’s, and most mid-western trout streams, are not bordered by grass or pastures. They are tree lined. Typical western terrestrial techniques, where hoppers are the common fare, just aren't that productive. Successful mid-west terrestrial fishing means a modification of both fly and tactics. Interested? Learn more...
When you get ready to make your first cast at a new location, how often do you take the time to think about how you are going to play the fish ? Most people we have talked to tell us they never give it a thought. They also tell us they lose more than their fair share of fish. Is there a correlation? Learn more...
A good pair of polarizing sunglasses is a necessity and not an accessory! The ability to see through the glare off the water opens a new world to you and increases your fish catching opportunities. Being able to seeing below the surface not only lets you see fish that may be present but it also lets you clearly see the holding areas and structures that attract fish. Interested? Learn more...
Too many fly fishers concentrate on seeing a fish and not “sensing” the presence of fish. Truly successful fly fishers don’t just look for a fish but all the subtle sights and sounds of where the fish are. The less blind fishing you do, the more fish you will probably catch. Learn more
If someone says "line control" to the majority of fly fishermen, the very first thing they think of is mending their line to get a perfect drift. There are three other more important things to consider. Learn more...