Small-stream fishing is a great way to beat the crowds on larger, more well-known waters, and blue-lining has becoming increasing popular over the past few years. But just because the trout in these streams aren’t fished much doesn’t mean they aren’t wary. They’ve evolved highly tuned senses to protect them from predators . . . which is what you are. In this video from Montana Angler, Matt Wilhelm demonstrates how to be stealthy in order to avoid spooking trout. He’s a big guy, so he has to be extra careful, and the results speak for themselves.
At a base level, think of stealth as a means to put yourself in the best position to catch a trout. When hopper fishing the Yellowstone River, that might mean floating in a drift boat and casting toward the bank. On a small stream, it could mean keeping a low profile and presenting a short cast draped over bankside vegetation. The key element to consider is the trout’s awareness of your presence. We’ve all seen fish spook and dart for their safe spots. If your fly appears after your shadow crosses their position, or they’ve felt the vibration of your footsteps on the bank, your chances of success decrease dramatically. Stealth means approaching and presenting your fly before the fish is onto you.
For lots more on this topic, click here to go to the full article on the Montana Angler website.
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