Fly Fishing for Beginners

[Echolalia]

Hello all,

Firstly, I have been fly fishing technically for one year now, although the majority of that time has been limited to the winter months on very spatially restricted creeks (ie lots of trees, logs, bushes, and a relatively narrow stream between 8 and 20 feet wide). Obviously this isn't the ideal scenario for a beginner fly-fisherman but its all I've had to work with. Now coming into the new year I have the opportunity to fish heavy in the spring and summer months when dry flies might actually get me something and I want to be as prepared as possible. I won't have much of an opportunity to get up to the Au Sable river or Manastee etc, so I'm just looking for advice on fishing tight creeks, specifically Huron, Clinton, and Kzoo tribs.
I just purchased a fly fishing book and it is written as if under most situations one knows for certain that s/he is aiming where a trout is at that moment currently hanging out. To be completely honest, I have seen only one trout in the water so far, and that was only because I scared it out of its hiding spot. I have been what the book described as "fishing blind" throughout all my fly fishing experiences. Do you guys actually see where fish are hanging out and target those places? If so, how do you see them (ie how long do you scan the creek for, what do you look for, where do you look, how do you approach the creek so not to scare the trout away etc)? Or do most of you fish high-probability locations like around boulders, near sheltered riverbanks, etc but without knowing for sure that a fish is hanging out there? This is what I have been doing.
Also, because I've been so unsuccessful at this so far, I'm wondering if I'm being too loud or obvious when I'm on or near the river. I know that trout are pretty easy to scare, but I'm wondering if you folks have any tips on how to be stealthy enough to get within casting distance of a trout lay, especially in a confined creek with not a whole lot of casting room.

Also, if any of you feel the urge to share any other facets of the game that I seem to be missing out on (assume that I am), feel free to do just that. Additionally, I figure any other beginning fly fishermen can post their questions here if they want, and we can use this as kind of a "fly fishing for dummies thread".

Thanks much!

PS I was on a trib in Southwestern Michigan this weekend and the creek is beginning to burst with life. I saw a crawdad, a sucker-fish, and a bunch of flys that I'm assuming are winter midges. I imagine the trout will be getting more active soon.

[Undertow]

Trout usually do not lay right out in the open, sometimes you can spot them out in the open if it's a cloudy day or rainy day. If the suns out then there probably going to be in structure. Structure can be anything from a deep hole, under cut banks, log jams, boulder eddies, over hanging branches and brush. If you want to fish dry fly's then your best bet is fish a hatch. If there's bugs on the water and fish are feeding on them then you will see were there at. If there's no hatch then fishing dry's, attractor patterns, terrestorials close to cover can produce fish. Also fishing streamers or nymphs up under the banks or as close to cover as you can get them will usually produce fish.

As far as wading goes I try to stay out of the water as much as possible. If you want to fish the next bend in the river then get out and walk on shore. Try and stay back from the rivers edge. If there's any fish up under the bank they will feel you walking on them. I've spooked some big brookies out of there hiding places under the banks by walking to close to the edge. Keep your shadow off the water. Some fisherman were light colored clothes to blend in with the sky. Also try casting from shore either standing up or on your knee's. Another thing is if you wade to a spot don't start casting right away. Take 5-10 mins to let the water settle. Also if you cant get out of the water and you want to approach a spot then wade upstream. Fish usually face upstream waiting for food to come down the river.

Since your fishing mostly brushy streams then learn how to roll cast. It's not as pretty as regular casting but you will save yourself alot headaches and flie's.

The best advice anyone can probably give you is just get on the water. You can read every book on the shelf and get lots of tips but none of that is as good as just learning the water your fishing. Spend enough time on the water and you will begin to learn more about the fish, where there at, what there eating and etc. Also if your just getting into fly fishing go out and try a few other species. Downstate were your at there is alot of good smallmouth water. There not exactly like trout but they will teach you a few things bout were fish will be in a given river system and etc.

Undertow

[Bowshep]

Undertow is dead on. The roll cast has to be the best in tight area's if you have a bit of space behind you l also recommend a pile cast just start a little higher up on the drift so you have time to Mend it. l use the pile cast on most of my wet fly's this cast lets the fly drop straight down once it hits the water.

Ken

[PDS]

...but I'll add a bit of my own. Undertow alluded to this, but especially on smaller streams, always fish upstream. In other words, always approach a potential lie from behind and as quietly as possible...because the fish are generally always positioned upstream, as well, looking for food, etc. I try to stay out of the water as much as possible on the smaller creeks, but sometimes you can't avoid it. More often than not, I'll try to quietly shuffle through the water to avoid creating a distraction. Also, I think it is important to tread lightly on the upland ground when approaching a hole or stretch that I want to fish. While it's less necessary on big water, I almost always fish upstream when I am wading.

Another thing I always have is polarized sunglasses. They allow you to see through the glare of the water and actually see the water better. If you don't wear glasses, polarized sunglasses are easily purchased. If you wear glasses and don't want to buy polarized Rx lens, then take a look at a product known as "Fit-overs"...or something like that. These are somewhat oversized to fit over your glasses and have a wrap around style to diminsh side light penetration.

By their nature, trout generally stay secluded to avoid predators from above (including fishermmen!), unless there's a hatch on. In time, you'll learn where the likely holds are and things will become appreciably easier for you. Although I now mostly flyfish, I started out my learning with good old fashioned "worm dunking", now over 40 years ago.

Frankly, I don't worry about actually trying to see fish in the water. I look more for places where they are likely to be...tight against the banks, under logs, in deep pools, or even at the tail outs...places where they can live with minimal energy allocation. If you are looking for your fish, you will be spending more time looking than fishing!

Good luck. It isn't that complicated once you get the hang of it. Perhaps an experienced friend will "show you the ropes" a time or two.