5 Reasons To Fish In Turbulent Water

Many fly fishing beginners find it difficult to decide what water will yield the best results for them when they are fishing for trout. It may surprise them to learn that going for the more turbulent water may actually offer them greater success. Here are five reasons why turbulent water can actually be to your advantage when fishing for trout:

Trout are easier to catch in these conditions.

Carlos on Private TripWhen the water is moving at a fast pace, the trout does not have time to really study your fly and differentiate it from the real thing. They must decide quickly whether or not to eat any food prospects in fast water, while in slower currents, they can be pickier. Main current seams, pocket water, and riffles offer many trout and turbulent water.

Turbulent water acts as a buffer between you and the trout.

Trout feel comfortable in turbulent water because the rough waters gives a camouflage effect, and the noise of the water drowns out any potential dangers. This causes the fish to just be more relaxed in general, which makes it easier to sneak up on them without being detected. Just remember to stay low when approaching the water regardless of the flow of the water.

Turbulent conditions let you make more presentations.

Turbulent water masks not only the sound of you sneaking up on the trout, it also covers up the sound of multiple presentations. You can make several presentations without the fish detecting your presence, so you get more out of the water when it is turbulent than when it is calm. Instead of having to frequently move on to new, calm water, you can cast several times in turbulent water without scaring the fish away. Nymphing is

Turbulent water provides higher oxygen levels and more food to the trout.

When it comes to what attracts trout to certain locations, oxygen and food are two most important factors for trout. These two factors are integral to the survival of the trout. Turbulent water provides an abundance of both, meaning that there are always plenty of trout in turbulent waters. Remember to always look for the bubbles at the edge of, or in, the turbulent water and that is where the food they are feeding on will most likely be.

You can get a drag-free drift in turbulent water.

Usually, it is easier to get a drag-free drift in turbulent water. This is because generally, the fly, line, and leader will drift collectively at the same speed. You do not often have to cast more than 15 feet to catch trout. Often, turbulent water has fewer conflicting currents to manage during a drift, meaning that you will get more consistent drag-free drifts. If you do find yourself in turbulent water with a lot of conflicting currents, the buffer that turbulent water provides gives you some leeway to get closer to your target after a few failed attempts.

Though these five reasons make turbulent water more appealing sometimes, fly fishing can be unpredictable. While turbulent water gives you an advantage in situations such as when there are no rising fish and there is low and/or clear water, there will be times that calm water is the better choice. As you become a more expert fly angler, you will learn to be able to make the call whether turbulent water or calm water will give you the better advantage. In the meantime, a good rule of thumb for fishing trout is to opt for turbulent water and hope for the best. To become even more proficient in fly fishing, try our guided fly fishing tour in Estes Park! Contact us today for more information.

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