| Fly fishing from a drift boat can be a tremendous | | | | add a little weight. Adding too much weight will not |
| advantage over wade fishing. It allows you to | | | | allow the flies to drift naturally with the current. |
| cover a lot more water and get amazingly long | | | | Rather your indicator will pull your flies through the |
| drifts. I row a drift boat about a 180 days a year | | | | natural currents. The undercurrents are not |
| and have worked hard to perfect my craft. | | | | always the same as the surface current. You |
| When fly fishing from a drift boat it is important | | | | want your flies to drift naturally.4. Fish Dry flies |
| to remember it is different from wade fishing. I | | | | downstream from the boat. |
| watch a countless number of drift boats go by | | | | An easy way to do this is turn the boat |
| trying to fish like they would while wading. Here | | | | sideways and cast straight downstream. This can |
| are some simple tips to help you catch more fish | | | | be difficult if the wind is blowing. If the boat is |
| from a drift boat.1. Row the boat at the same | | | | pointed downstream, cast as much downstream |
| speed as your flies. | | | | as possible and still reach your desired target. A |
| Most of the time your flies and the boat will be | | | | 45 degree angle downstream is a good place to |
| moving in different currents. That means the boat | | | | start. Both fishermen should fish parallel to one |
| and the flies will be traveling at different speeds. | | | | another. When fishing the bank avoid the |
| The rower needs to focus on one of the flies and | | | | temptation to cast straight across. Hit the bank |
| slow down or speed up accordingly. It is the job | | | | as far downstream as possible. A reach cast |
| of the fisherman to mend his/her line as needed | | | | works best.5. Things not to do. |
| to keep a proper drift. If two people are fishing, | | | | Don't fish behind the boat. Especially with dry flies. |
| fish out the same side of the boat at a similar | | | | You want the fish to see your fly first, not last. |
| distance. It is impossible for the rower to row | | | | Don't anchor in a run or on a flat. It is rude to |
| two different drifts at the same time.2. Fish | | | | block the natural flow of traffic. |
| nymphs perpendicular to the boat with the boat | | | | Don't pull anchor and start fishing in front of |
| pointed downstream. | | | | someone right behind you. |
| If you fish nymphs in front of the boat you will | | | | Don't switch sides of the river in front of other |
| miss most of your hits. In fact, the majority of | | | | boats. |
| your hits won't even move your indicator. You'll | | | | Don't row over other peoples flies. |
| never know if they even happened. Cast your line | | | | Don't criticize other boats for their |
| straight towards shore and mend accordingly. You | | | | mistakes.6.Things to do. |
| want your flies to trail back on a 45 degree angle | | | | Have fun and catch fish. |
| from your indicator. This will increase the number | | | | Give others lots of space. |
| of hookups.3. Don't overweight your nymph rigs. | | | | Avoid contention on the river. |
| Weight your rigs enough to get the flies to the | | | | We are all out there to have a good time, so |
| bottom without hanging up. It should take the flies | | | | lets have a good time.The author is a fly fishing |
| five to ten seconds to reach the feeding zone. I | | | | guide on Utah's Green River. He works with |
| can usually float 200 to 500 feet without hanging | | | | Flaming Gorge Resort and is owner and writer of |
| up. If you never hang up you probably need to | | | | Green River Flyfisher. |