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Streamer fishing for wild brown trout.?

20K views 174 replies 43 participants last post by  SirHarryLewis 
#1 ·
I’m just interested in people’s thoughts on fishing streamers in rivers which are predominantly wild trout rivers, do you condone it or frown upon it?
i arrived at a beat on the Eden last week and came across two anglers who had driven up from London and bought day tickets, so far so good.
upon having a chat with one who had his dog with him I politely pointed out that club rules don’t allow any anglers to take a dog with them, he accepted it fine and apologised.
i looked at his attire and he was wearing a base ball cap covered in everything from mouse patterns to pike lures, it was like a moving Christmas tree.
I asked if they had any luck, and he told me they’d had a few to about 1.5 lbs.
On the nymph I said, as nothing was rising, no streamers he replied.
Then he told me the week before his mate had a 6lb fish and he had one of 5.10lbs on streamers, that’s all we fish he replied.
Nice enough young fellas but I couldn’t help feeling this method was not on.
Ive never fished a streamer in my life, other than for rainbows or pike so I can’t comment on the success of this method other than it had proved very fortunate in their case.
Am I just an old fuddy duddy that hasn’t moved with the times or is this now an acceptable method on unstocked wild trout waters?
what’s your feelings on this, would you do it to secure a fish or stick with more “conventional” methods.
Slightly bewildered.
S.
 
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#3 ·
Hi Steven,
A Muddler Minnow streamer is a Sculpin imitation ( a Bullhead). Trout in rivers eat a lot of Bullheads. Surely fishing an imitation of one is fine?
This is always going to be a grey area and it's one of those things that the individual needs to work out for themselves.
Regards,
Rich
 
#4 ·
I meant to add that streamer fishing can be very skilful and a lot of fun, trying to get the 'fly' to behave like an actively swimming prey item uses different techniques to insect-imitating patterns. It's not just a question of standing in the same spot roly-polying a cat's whisker.
Big wild trout get big by eating a lot of things other than flies.
I sense something about these guys caused you distress, it's understandable to be protective of your fishing and want to see the quality preserved, but if guests aren't breaking fishery rules it's hard to se what you can do.
 
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#6 ·
I meant to add that streamer fishing can be very skilful and a lot of fun, trying to get the 'fly' to behave like an actively swimming prey item uses different techniques to insect-imitating patterns. It's not just a question of standing in the same spot roly-polying a cat's whisker.
Big wild trout get big by eating a lot of things other than flies.
I sense something about these guys caused you distress, it's understandable to be protective of your fishing and want to see the quality preserved, but if guests aren't breaking fishery rules it's hard to se what you can do.
Not really distress Rich more surprise I think, we have no rules in our club banning the use of streamers but our rule book was written way back when down and across and north country spiders was popular.
Ive no intention of altering the rules, it's obviously more common practice these days perhaps I ought to give it a go?
S.
 
#5 ·
HI Steven

More and more people seem to be fishing them....I fish the same waters as you do and of the number of people I speak to on a weekly basis regarding how has the fishing been etc. more and more tell me they didn't have any luck on dries or nymphs so they pulled streamers and caught decent fish.
I confess I have some in a fly box but have yet to fish with them....even when I've blanked I haven't been able to tie one on and give it a go.

I confess I'm a traditionalist but feel I'm been left behind slightly as more and more respected anglers and guides now sell the benefits of them on their respective websites.

Maybe Youtube is partially to blame, many of the US anglers fish nothing but streamers....

Regards, Chris
 
G
#7 ·
In the US it's common place. When I was there I joined in, and it was fun. I'd do it here, I guess, but you really don't need to. In the US some of their trout species are piscivorous (like Bonneville Cutthroat trout) or quite prone to it. Quite often a streamer would work when nothing else did.
 
#10 ·
it is lure fishing and is no more or less skilfull than Lure fishing on a reservoir.

Maybe calling it 'streamer' fishing makes some anglers feel better about it.

A white 'Dog Nobbler' is a good imitation of a freshwater lamprey.....I once caught some trout absolutely stuffed with lampreys on a Dog Nobbler but did not call it 'Streamer' fishing:ROFLMAO:

×
 
#9 ·
Try something subtle, like a small longshank Muddler (the original brown and turkey wing job) and try to get it to swim like a fish. It's fun, and can be very effective. I once tried multiple flies to try and tempt a decent brown in a dark pool on the Barle (just upstream of the bridge in Simonsbath if any of you know it). Eventually plopped a white Dog Nobbler in just upstream of it and the bugger grabbed it before it hit the bottom. Only just over a pound, but big for the Barle. I hope he grew on to 2lbs....
I have always kept an open mind after that.
 
#11 ·
I'm just interested in people's thoughts on fishing streamers in rivers which are predominantly wild trout rivers, do you condone it or frown upon it?
i arrived at a beat on the Eden last week and came across two anglers who had driven up from London and bought day tickets, so far so good.
upon having a chat with one who had his dog with him I politely pointed out that club rules don't allow any anglers to take a dog with them, he accepted it fine and apologised.
i looked at his attire and he was wearing a base ball cap covered in everything from mouse patterns to pike lures, it was like a moving Christmas tree.
I asked if they had any luck, and he told me they'd had a few to about 1.5 lbs.
On the nymph I said, as nothing was rising, no streamers he replied.
Then he told me the week before his mate had a 6lb fish and he had one of 5.10lbs on streamers, that's all we fish he replied.
Nice enough young fellas but I couldn't help feeling this method was not on.
Ive never fished a streamer in my life, other than for rainbows or pike so I can't comment on the success of this method other than it had proved very fortunate in their case.
Am I just an old fuddy duddy that hasn't moved with the times or is this now an acceptable method on unstocked wild trout waters?
what's your feelings on this, would you do it to secure a fish or stick with more "conventional" methods.
Slightly bewildered.
S.
Steven, I met the same guy on Saturday Evening, I was a bit surprised to see the dog. We had a brief chat, I asked him if there was any fly life moving but he responded that he was streamer fishing so didn't know. I have no issue with the fact that they were streamer fishing because I think it is a skill. I have only done it on stillwaters with poppers and have no experience of using them on rivers. It's just another fishing method. If it is the only way they fish then I think they are missing out. He was dressed for Bass fishing !!

Cam
 
#13 ·
×


That was them Cam, he knows not to bring the dog in future, but as they'd driven up from London the last two weeks I told him to carry on.
They reminded me of trout bums from a New Zealand or Patagonian film. ?
Perhaps I need to open my outlook a little?
S.
 
#12 ·
I have to admit to feeling a bit uncomfortable about this. In the last few years I’ve seen some very big browns on our stretch of the Wharfe and it’s no coincidence that we also have a big population of signal crayfish. I guess these big fish are predominantly cray and fish eaters and there is no doubt they are less likely to be tempted by a tiny imitation than by a streamer or similar. One in particular taunts me on a regular basis and I’ve chucked nymphs, spiders and dries at it to no avail; I’m tempted.

B
 
G
#19 · (Edited)
To justify streamer fishing, anglers (as above) say it is a very skilful form of angling.

Over the years I have heard the same about Spinning and Worm fish!

Personally, it is not for me, but every angler to their own.

Douglas
I wouldn't say it is particularly skilful.

Cast. Strip. Strip. Strip. Strike!

No drag to worry about.

You can cast a streamer anywhere in a river, strip it whichever way you want. Nowhere is really out of bounds.

It is fun though, and the takes feel savage.
 
#22 ·
I never said I didn't like his attire at all, his attire was exactly the same as mine, waders, jacket, boots, just his hat which was covered in streamers.
I'm more used to seeing traditional flies in hats.
S.
 
#20 ·
Every dog has his day (sorry couldn't resist).

I think it's just down to individual preference, it's an interesting technique to use alongside the other methods and if nothings rising or they're not taking nymphs/wets then probably worth a shot. They were funny chaps but not unpleasant when I met them and if it works for them then good luck to them. I'd like to have an afternoons streamer fishing with you Steven, you never know... 6 and 5.8lb each would be fun :p
 
#21 ·
I was totally against streamer fishing after 30 years of fly fishing and watching friends ( top fly anglers in this country) I occasionally will fish a streamer , casted upstream against a bank , few twitches and retrieving across the river . Most of the bigger trout that only show at mayfly time are always willing to take a streamer. I only use 2 types a sculpin and a egg sucking leach .. often catches the carnivores!
 
#23 ·
I fish streamers occasionally.More mini streamers though on a euronymph rig.Not those big streamers you see used in America.Sometimes fish nymphs dry & streamers all in one day.Wouldn't wan't to fish streamers all the time.You get bait & people spinning lures where i fish.Can't really knock them. I done them when i was young.
 
G
#29 ·
×
×
I'm just interested in people's thoughts on fishing streamers in rivers which are predominantly wild trout rivers, do you condone it or frown upon it?
i arrived at a beat on the Eden last week and came across two anglers who had driven up from London and bought day tickets, so far so good.
upon having a chat with one who had his dog with him I politely pointed out that club rules don't allow any anglers to take a dog with them, he accepted it fine and apologised.
i looked at his attire and he was wearing a base ball cap covered in everything from mouse patterns to pike lures, it was like a moving Christmas tree.
I asked if they had any luck, and he told me they'd had a few to about 1.5 lbs.
On the nymph I said, as nothing was rising, no streamers he replied.
Then he told me the week before his mate had a 6lb fish and he had one of 5.10lbs on streamers, that's all we fish he replied.
Nice enough young fellas but I couldn't help feeling this method was not on.
Ive never fished a streamer in my life, other than for rainbows or pike so I can't comment on the success of this method other than it had proved very fortunate in their case.
Am I just an old fuddy duddy that hasn't moved with the times or is this now an acceptable method on unstocked wild trout waters?
what's your feelings on this, would you do it to secure a fish or stick with more "conventional" methods.
Slightly bewildered.
S.
I've picked up 2 streamers for whe. The fry are in the lough.. May try them at the river too..
 
#33 ·
×
The trouble is ' nobody likes change ' , I'm one of those ,
×
I only tried nymph fishing about ten years ago, prior to that it was dry fly or nothing, saying that there were so many rising fish in the rivers you didn't need to do any other method.
Im no prude, I'm willing to try most things, I think I was just a bit shocked at first as I'd never seen or know anyone that's used streamers on the river.
It was a bit of "Londoners coming up here and catching fish with big gaudy things."
it's obviously a well used method, and I might have to give it a go?
S.
 
#36 ·
I use them for wild browns in small limestone rivers when the water is up and dirty, and the trout love them, and they definitely take the bigger fish.

Size 8 jig hooks, tungsten beads anywhere from 3mm to 5mm depending on the depth of water and a total length of day 3”. Matts minnow, mini zonkers etc all tied in colours to imitate brown trout and Salmon parr. All fishable on a 4wt (Just take the normal tippet off and fish to 6 or 8lb leader) so options are openshould there be a good rise.

They pull the bigger fish out from the under cut banks and reeds, slacks under trees etc, that are otherwise very difficult to catch. I’ve often been sitting with a 2lb point and a size 18 just to see these large trout smash into shoals of part, so I thought I’d have a go for them.

I’m lucky in that the rivers I fish have excellent fly life and if conditions are right I will always go dry and nymph in that order, but when it’s bombing down, it’s streamer time.
I do have some cut down fast sink heads for use on a 6wt, but a floater on a 4 wt is fine in most conditions.
 
G
#40 ·
×
I use them for wild browns in small limestone rivers when the water is up and dirty, and the trout love them, and they definitely take the bigger fish.

Size 8 jig hooks, tungsten beads anywhere from 3mm to 5mm depending on the depth of water and a total length of day 3". Matts minnow, mini zonkers etc all tied in colours to imitate brown trout and Salmon parr. All fishable on a 4wt (Just take the normal tippet off and fish to 6 or 8lb leader) so options are openshould there be a good rise.

They pull the bigger fish out from the under cut banks and reeds, slacks under trees etc, that are otherwise very difficult to catch. I've often been sitting with a 2lb point and a size 18 just to see these large trout smash into shoals of part, so I thought I'd have a go for them.

I'm lucky in that the rivers I fish have excellent fly life and if conditions are right I will always go dry and nymph in that order, but when it's bombing down, it's streamer time.
I do have some cut down fast sink heads for use on a 6wt, but a floater on a 4 wt is fine in most conditions.
A little of track but I have bought 2 stalking bugs from. Nar less flies are they similar to streamers.. Gary
 
#39 ·
Not my preferred way of fishing, but definitely the one that can stir up the large fish that you never see on any other occasion. Large browns are territorial predators, they can respond aggressively to a well presented streamer and it would be regrettable to disregard this method.
I use small zonkers, in order to imitate young trout or minnow or anything that is intrusive in the territory of a big one: greyish brown or olive, or black, with a little flash and a bit of weight (size 12 to 8/long shank, but mini-tubes can certainly do the job). I caught also with some weighted dark brown/olive deceiver (down to size 2!) and in fact I think any renowned bait fish pattern can be efficient.
It is not as simple as one can think. Yes you can cast away, let it drift and accelerate in the current and from time to time, a fish will hang on... Then if you want to chase after them, you have to target the place they are likely inhabiting, to make your fly pass lively as close to the fish in ambush behind that rock or under that sunken tree... I think that it is easier and more logical to fish downstream. Use at least fast sinking tips and very short leaders (less than one meter). You also have to avoid to get snagged, and to fight properly that powerful trout that only wish to go back to its hiding place, etc...
I'm pretty sure that if the lad described above caught a so big fish, that is not random. He said he was there for that and he did it: he caught only one, but THE one... And provided a so magnificent fish is released safely, in my opinion, no matter the technique.

R
 
#44 ·
I randomly googled 'streamer pattern' and 'sea trout fly' is there a difference?

View attachment 29549

View attachment 29550
yes a 100 years of tradition and a bit of tweed;)
one of the clubs I am in... I can fish sub-surface for sea trout with a sea trout 'fly' but it's against the rules to do the same for brown trout with a 'streamer'....
go figure that?
 
#45 · (Edited)
Streamer fishing for wild brown trout? ....I didn’t know there was any other way! ?

For those interested, I can offer a book recommendation, and you can buy all the specialist hooks from Partridge, I believe.. If not, have got a good stash too, if you can’t find them.

Tying Heritage Featherwing Streamers by Sharon E. Wright. (available to download on Kindle too).

A fantastic read if you are remotely interested in fly tying. Tie a few too, they catch well.

Cheers and beers,
Luke.
 
#54 ·
I only ever tried a streamer once, for about 5 mins, found it horrible to cast and not much fun, if I had caught a 6lbder I might have changed that view though.

For me it was much like trying to cast something similar to a feather 4g Toby, same thing to the fish in many ways, and a 4g Toby is a very effective and functionally perfect thing to present with a super light spinning rod, the accuracy and the way you can work it is addictive, as minimal as fly fishing and more effective in a tight tree lined situation.
 
#114 ·
I only ever tried a streamer once, for about 5 mins, found it horrible to cast and not much fun, if I had caught a 6lbder I might have changed that view though.

For me it was much like trying to cast something similar to a feather 4g Toby, same thing to the fish in many ways, and a 4g Toby is a very effective and functionally perfect thing to present with a super light spinning rod, the accuracy and the way you can work it is addictive, as minimal as fly fishing and more effective in a tight tree lined situation.
I recommend the mono rig.
 
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