"Jonathan Cook" wrote in message
m...


Also anywhere you can't drift a fly into normally, like
into the top of a logjam or similar situation. Two things
I like to do are try to get the fly to swing right in front
of it, and get a downstream dead-drift right into the top.
Detecting the hit on a downstream dead-drift is of course
the real problem. If you can get right above where you want
the fly to drift into, you can match the current speed
with your rod and maintain fairly direct contact, and feel
the hit. Otherwise, it's mostly intuition and luck, that
6th sense that tells you to lift up.

Downstream dead-drifting is useful in a lot of other situations
as well, such as fishing heavy C+R areas like the San Juan,
where fish see lots of leaders and fly lines. There you almost
need to see the fish move to take the fly, since by the time
you feel a hit on a #22 fly, it's too late.

Jon.


I don't like fishing up stream, so most of my fishing is down and/or across,
usually followed by a swing at the end of the drift.

When using a downstream swing as you mentioned, it pays to keep a very close
eye on where your line is and how it's moving. A fish take,or a rock/weed
for that matter, will produce a slight twitch in the line, and then you set
the hook on any unusual movement of the line. I've pretty much given up on
trying to feel the strike, instead opting to see the strike. Of course,
quite often I get both fishing for smallmouth.



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