Two of the prime times each year to catch big fish on mountain lakes is just before ice-up in the fall and after ice-off in the spring. These two windows offer anglers the chance to cast big flies for trophy trout. But it’s not for the faint of heart. Cold and windy conditions are the norm on mountain lakes and reservoirs during the shoulder seasons. But for that chance to catch a truly big trout, it can be worth the effort – and the frozen extremities.
To learn more about stillwater streamer fishing, we spent some time chatting with our own marketing and media expert, Larkin Wilson. When it comes to casting streamers into the wind on mountain lakes and reservoirs, Larkin is a glutton for punishment. But after he warns you about the potential for adverse conditions, it quickly becomes clear why Larkin is so fond of this style of fly fishing. There’s simply nothing quite like the feeling of a big, predatory trout hammering a streamer.
When it comes to stillwater streamer fishing, Larkin had some great advice for anyone looking to get started…
Why Stillwater Streamer Fishing?
“It’s no secret that stillwater fly fishing can be tough,” Larkin began. “Especially this time of year in the fall and then again in the spring, there’s a high probability of extreme conditions. You can expect cold mornings, intense sun in the afternoons, and howling wind all day long.
“But in my mind, it’s the best time to find that trophy stillwater fish,” He continued. “Those big fish are trying to pack on calories right before the big freeze and then again right after the thaw. That’s the time to target these fish with big streamers. It can be a lot of work. You might spend 10 to 12 hours only to land a handful of fish. But man is it worth it. It’s the trophy hunt that really makes it exciting.”
The Rods and Reels
Like most methods of fly fishing, budding streamer fanatics can get started with whatever they have – a standard 5-weight or 6-weight fly rod can get the job done. But Larkin points out that it will become painfully clear why 7-weight and 8-weight rods are the standards on these waters. Big flies, big fish and fighting through wind will quickly wear out an angler casting a 5-weight rod. Check out our previous video on streamer rods HERE.
“When learning about stillwater fishing, many of us go through a similar process,” Larkin explained. “You start by going out there with your standard trout rods, rigged up with 3x or 4x. Then, you hook into a fish that absolutely smokes you. There are big fish in these lakes. So if you enjoy it and you find yourself doing it with any regularity, you’ll soon discover the need for a bigger setup.”
Larkin says that he prefers 7 and 8-weight fly rods, in 9-foot or 10-foot lengths in order to battle everything that comes with fishing mountain lakes – the fish, the wind, and wind-resistant flies.
“I like 10-foot rods just a little bit better,” he told us. “With that extra length, I can wade out a bit farther and more easily pick up my flies without ripping all that line through the water.”
And according to Larkin, a solid disc-drag reel is important as well.
“There’s a potential to hook into some really big fish on these waters and that’s why we’re out there,” he said. “So avoid the click-pawl type reels and get a solid disc drag so that you can pump the brakes on those big fish.”
Fly Lines for Stillwater Streamers
Sinking lines or floating lines? According to Larkin, his approach is completely dependent on the lake and the time of year – and more specifically, the disappearance and emergence of weeds in the fall and spring respectively.
“These mountain reservoirs and lakes fish differently on October 1st than they do on November 1st and that’s entirely based on the weeds,” Larkin explained. “Before the weeds disappear in the fall I like to bring one rod set up with a full floating line and a second rod with a full intermediate sinking line, like the Rio Outbound Short.
“After those weeds are gone, I’ll be fishing that same full intermediate line on one rod and my second rod will be set up with a slightly faster sinking line, for getting those flies down a bit deeper.”
Larkin suggests that finding a report on lake conditions can be very helpful. Whether that’s a report from a local fly shop or just word of mouth, knowing the lake conditions before you arrive can be a big help.
“I really like fishing the more buoyant, deer hair streamers on these lakes,” Larkin added. “So if I could only bring one fly line up there, I’d bring that full intermediate line. This type of line helps get those flies down without causing too many issues if weeds are present.”
Stillwater Streamer Leaders
When it comes to streamer leaders, there’s no absolute right or wrong answer, and there are many good options.
“For those who are first getting into stillwater streamer fishing, I like to point them toward the Rio Big Nasty Leader,” Larkin told us. “Anglers who are more used to casting nymph rigs or dry fly rigs will have an easier time adjusting to a tapered streamer leader like this one.
“If you talk to some of the real streamer junkies, they might tell you to run nothing but two feet of 20-pound Maxima,” Larkin added. “And yes, that’s an excellent approach when fishing big flies. But that’s a big adjustment for an angler who isn’t used to fishing a very short, stout streamer leader.”
Larkin says that as a general rule, he’ll fish Buggers and similar small streamers on a slightly longer, tapered leader. And as the flies get bigger, the leaders tend to get shorter.
“Really, it comes down to how much leader I can get away with and still cast efficiently,” he said. “And in general, the bigger the fly, the shorter the leader needs to be. Anytime I’m fishing really big flies then I might be fishing that 2-foot leader with a really heavy material. But even with those smaller streamers, six feet is as long as you’ll ever want to go with a stillwater streamer rig.”
Fly Boxes and Fishing Packs
Larkin says that while many anglers will opt to carry a boat box of streamers in a backpack, he prefers to have everything right in front of him, in his Fishpond Cross-Current Chest Pack.
“I use a couple of the Small Umpqua Bug Lockers,” he told us. “They are small enough that I can keep two of them in my chest pack and still have room for some random stuff. Then I will carry a third fly box in my backpack with some alternate flies. Also in my backpack, I’ll keep extra layers, snacks and anything else I’m carrying with me.”
Layering for Stillwater Days
Speaking of extra layers, fishing the shoulder seasons on mountain lakes requires being prepared for any conditions.
“Be prepared for it to be colder than you think,” Larkin explained. “If the forecast says sunny with a high of 50 degrees, don’t expect it to feel that warm – especially when the wind kicks up.”
Larkin says that on a typical late fall or early spring day, he will be wearing at least one, maybe two pairs of heavy wool socks, a base layer and then a fleece mid layer and maybe even a third layer under his waders.
“On top, I’ll usually run a base layer, a synthetic mid layer and then a puffy vest. I like a vest because it allows for a good range of motion and makes casting a bit easier. Wearing four jackets is sure cozy, but it’s also going to make life difficult when trying to cast a streamer.”
Finally, Larkin suggests a Gore-Tex rain shell or wading jacket over the top to block wind. And don’t forget your extremities. A warm, wind-stopper hat and neck gaiter will do wonders to keep you comfortable out there.
“Finally, bring your sunscreen and a puck of O’Keefe’s Working Hands,” Larkin added. “Out there in the cold dry weather, your skin will take a beating.”
Fly Selection
Larkin says that like a lot of streamer fishing, stillwater streamer days require trial and error. And for him, it often begins with his confidence flies.
“As much as possible, I’ll take a look at fish surveys to try and find out what’s in the lake and what the baitfish look like,” Larkin said. “Then I can begin by trying to match up with the suckers, perch or whatever is in there. Or in some of these lakes for example, they often stock heavily with rainbows. So if you have a white or silver fly that matches up with those little six-inch stockers, you know there’s a good chance those bigger predatory fish are going to take advantage of it.
“So the first flies I’ll reach for are my go-to confidence flies,” Larkin continued. “But I will look to see where those confidence flies overlap with the available food sources in that lake. A lot of times you’ll be able to see the baitfish. And if the baitfish you’re seeing are 2-3 inches and slender, go with something that looks a little more like that.”
Be observant. Larkin points out that if you’re seeing a lot of crayfish or if you see birds busting on the bait, apply those observations to your fly selection.
“But one of the reasons I think fishing your confidence flies is so important, is that persistence is critical,” Larkin emphasized. “In the end, that’s going to be the difference-maker. In this type of fishing, persistence makes up for a lot of success. If you have enough faith in your fly, you’ll keep throwing it and eventually something will eat it.”
As the day goes on, Larkin says that he will continue working through different sizes and colors of flies as needed. You might start with something small and muted. If that’s not garnering attention, you might go with something big and flashy. After that, try something small and flashy or large and muted. Keep mixing things up until you find what’s working.
“Lakes during the fall are a great place to try out new streamers,” Larkin added. “If you’ve got some big flies you’ve never fished, now is the time to try them out. Anything could be on the menu.”
Approach and Tactics
Don’t just stand in the same spot. Larkin says that even though you may have come the week before and caught a bunch of fish in a specific spot, don’t expect the same thing on a different day. As conditions change, so do the fish. If you’re not getting action, keep looking.
“As I’m moving and looking for fish, I’m looking for a few specific things,” Larkin said. “I’m looking for structure, wind direction and bait. Look for drop-offs, little bays and coves where the fish can hide and then crush the bait as it comes near them. Also pay attention to the prevailing wind and look for places where the food is being pushed. If you look closely, you’ll notice water marks and places where debris is collecting. That tells you a lot about where the food is going. And finally, look for birds as an indicator of where the fish or the food is hanging out. A lot of times you can catch fish right out from underneath the birds.”
In addition to moving and keeping up the search for fish, also think about changing up the way you’re retrieving your streamers.
“Change up how you strip your streamers and experiment with different rhythms and speeds,” Larkin said. “Anytime you’re fishing a new streamer, take the time to watch how it moves in the water. Before you begin casting, drag it around in the shallow water to see how it moves. Then you’ll have a better idea of how to fish it at a distance.
“For example, a streamer like a Drunk and Disorderly I like to fish with long, deliberate strips,” Larkin continued. “When you pause between those long strips, it will push to one side. When you pull another long strip, it will pull back the other way. On the other hand, a heavily weighted streamer like a Circus Peanut really benefits from a twitch-twitch-stop motion. The weight of this fly causes it to look like the twitch of a fleeing crayfish.”
It may depend on the streamer, but changing the retrieve can help you find what triggers the fish to strike. And Larkin added that if you’re out there wading, fish your flies all the way to you, right to your rod tip.
“A lot of times fish will follow it and if you don’t fish those flies all the way in, you’ll end up missing fish,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pulled it too soon and then had a fish brush past me because I took it from him.”
On that note, don’t just walk into the water and start fishing. Start by standing on the bank and fishing into the shallow water first.
“I was out fishing with a friend one time and instead of plodding on into the water, we stopped and took our first casts right from the bank,” Larkin added. “Sure enough on that first cast, he caught an 18” cutt-bow in just a foot and a half of water.
“A great thing about stillwater streamer fishing is that it doesn’t require special skills or it’s not super technical fishing,” Larkin concluded. “You just need the willingness to get out there and do it and keep at it all day long for those opportunities. Persistence is going to catch more fish than anything else.”
Contact Us With Questions
Thanks to Larkin for sharing some of his tips on stillwater streamer fishing. If you have questions or need help getting started, please don’t hesitate to ask. If you’re in the Denver area or along the Front Range, come visit us at the fly shop in Littleton. Otherwise, you can give us a call at 303-794-1104. We’d love to help you feel prepared and confident for your next day on the water!
