Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 12
Muddy
Water
Fly Fishing
by John Allen
photos by the author
It is Saturday morning, and it is the only day that you can go fly
fishing. You drive up to the first bridge crossing and take a quick
peek at the stream only to see brown. The rains from the night
before were harder than you had anticipated. The next closest
stream is over 30 minutes away and could be in the exact same
condition. While not as productive as a day when the water is
clearer, fly fishing can be done during times of high, off-colored
water. To be successful, you need to know what flies to use, where
to go and how to fish the stream in these conditions.
Fly selection
During these conditions, I usually carry flies that are on
the large size, brightly colored and have their own natural
movements. Typically, I will choose streamers. If the trout are
freshly stocked, I will include a variety of brightly colored egg
patterns as well. Remember that when the water rises, food
is also entering the water. You want an offering that is large,
can move quickly and can be easily seen by fish. The color can
range from white to tinsel bodies to light shades of natural
colors. The biggest factor is the clarity of the water. I will
normally start out with the flashiest fly possible. However, by
the end of the day, I will be using a light, olive-colored fly.
12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2014
This Rainbow Trout took a flashy streamer.
Where to go
When I first arrive at the stream, I go to the water's edge
and assess the clarity of the water. If it looks like a foggy
tea, I start fishing with hopes that the water will continue
to clear throughout the day. If it looks like chocolate milk, I
look at other options. I take a map and look for any possible
tributaries that enter the stream. Once I have located a
tributary, I head there to fish. The first waters to clear after
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 18
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 19
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 21
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 22
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 23
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 24
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 25
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 26
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 27
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 28
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 29
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 30
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 31
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 33
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 34
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 35
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 36
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 37
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 38
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 39
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 40
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 41
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 42
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 43
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 44
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 45
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 46
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 47
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 48
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 49
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 50
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 51
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 52
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 53
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 54
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 55
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 56
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 57
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 58
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 59
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 60
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 61
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - 62
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - Cover4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2014 - CT4
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