I mostly fish small creeks (had an absolute bonanza last week…15 brook trout in less than two hours on a creek that was roughly a rod length across in most parts). There are two main concerns when it comes to small creek fishing. First is locating the fish…sometimes you’ll walk several hundred yards of pristine looking water that’s just empty for some reason or another. That DOESNT mean there aren’t fish there…keep going for a bit. They usually show up slowly…you’ll get a tiny one here, another one there, you’ll swing and miss on one, etc. Then eventually you end up where the biggest population is…at that point, it’s game on. The second consideration is casting. You might as well forget about traditional fly casting for many of these places. A lot of bow and arrow casting and little plops…lift your fly up here, plop it back down there. It’s TOTALLY worth it though. Taking an 8” brookie from a tiny creek is every bit as fascinating as hooking into a raging, tailwater steelhead…trust me.
Dont want to tell people about small creeks... lest all the thousands of idiots who flood Roscoe will start spreading out in the 30 miles around it that currently are empty year round 😂
I loved this episode. While I do fish a big river, the Lower Sacramento, I most enjoy getting up into the mountains and onto a creek. It's fun, intimate and makes you feel a part of your surroundings. I see so many videos that say "Small stream" that look nothing like my mountain waters tumbling over volcanic rocks. This video looked enough like my waters that I found myself nodding. Very good tips. Thank you especially for the message at the end. My goal is to leave my water and fish as close to as I found them as possible. Micro trash (your tag clippings etc) is a challenge to manage. But it's important to do so. Thank you Simon. You are welcome on my NPR Podcast any time! (Not literally but certainly figuratively if you get my drift -- Hopefully trout won't but you will!).
If anyone is wondering, the same exact set up but with a weightless nymph under a small popping bug or hopper is the absolute best and most fun way to fish for spawning sunfish. Even works for shallow spawning crappie.
Those creeks look like what I have close to me. I'm about to start fly fishing (or trying to) here soon, a friend I met at work gave me a rod and reel he found forgotten in Colorado years ago (Temple Fork Outfitters Lefty Kreh Professional Series 3 wt rod and a Ross Reels CLA 1 reel for anyone interested). Thanks for making these kinds of videos, they're helping me a lot.
I was totally expecting to see Tom Rosenbauer talk small creeks. I know Tom is not the Rio Spey guy, Simon...buuut, could we please hear Tom try Simon's accent in the next video?!? BTW, Reddington makes the best creek rods for dirt cleap. Can't see spending $800+ a Sage creek rod. Well done Farbank.
What does spey casting have to do with creek fishing? Talk about opposites lol. And Reddington is not exactly dirt cheap.. you could get St. Croix fly rods in creek size for cheaper I believe
I can tell by the look on this man’s face and his voice that he really loves the challenge of creek fishing. I am on a creek often and still learned a few things from this intimate video. Thanks for making this video!
Great video. As a fairly new fly fisher I have a question... The hopper dropper, if im a fishing 3ft deep pool I should have my nymph 2 1/2ft below my big dry - so do i want to shorten my leader to 5ft?? Or keep a 7ft leader (inc tipoet for dry)??
It was opening day yesterday here in Michigan and I had some issues. I've moved to a new area due to work and had to change my whole technique due to no open rivers or streams. This video has given me some new ideas that I'll try today, thanks.
One thing about rod size... most of the time youre better off with a longer rod that you can high stick with. Unless you are really penned in. But realistically if you are actually casting, it doesnt matter if your rod is 6 or 9 feet. Your line is flying way behind you anyway
As someone who fishes primarily small streams and used a 9 foot rod for the first 18 years then bought a 6' 9" i respectfully disagree. The trouble a 7' rod stays out of on these creeks, walking to these creeks, etc is amazing, to say nothing of how you can reach the tip of it while you hold the butt on your foot which is priceless rigging and solving problems, and it can stay assembled in your car which actually increases my fishing opportunities, just knowing i can grab it, put on the wellies in my trunk, and fish from/near the bank of any water i see in 30 seconds.
I'm blessed to live in the Alberta Rockies. I have everything except salt water. Creeks and streams are by far the most enjoyable in my humble opinion.
I mostly fish small creeks (had an absolute bonanza last week…15 brook trout in less than two hours on a creek that was roughly a rod length across in most parts). There are two main concerns when it comes to small creek fishing. First is locating the fish…sometimes you’ll walk several hundred yards of pristine looking water that’s just empty for some reason or another. That DOESNT mean there aren’t fish there…keep going for a bit. They usually show up slowly…you’ll get a tiny one here, another one there, you’ll swing and miss on one, etc. Then eventually you end up where the biggest population is…at that point, it’s game on. The second consideration is casting. You might as well forget about traditional fly casting for many of these places. A lot of bow and arrow casting and little plops…lift your fly up here, plop it back down there. It’s TOTALLY worth it though. Taking an 8” brookie from a tiny creek is every bit as fascinating as hooking into a raging, tailwater steelhead…trust me.
The best flyfishing instructional video I've ever seen, covering my very favorite kind of fishing. This is such a quality channel. Thank you, sir. :-)
Dont want to tell people about small creeks... lest all the thousands of idiots who flood Roscoe will start spreading out in the 30 miles around it that currently are empty year round 😂
I like the combination of short rod and short leader and this video is very helpful.
Thank you for all the information. You guys rock! 🤙👍
I loved this episode. While I do fish a big river, the Lower Sacramento, I most enjoy getting up into the mountains and onto a creek. It's fun, intimate and makes you feel a part of your surroundings. I see so many videos that say "Small stream" that look nothing like my mountain waters tumbling over volcanic rocks. This video looked enough like my waters that I found myself nodding. Very good tips. Thank you especially for the message at the end. My goal is to leave my water and fish as close to as I found them as possible. Micro trash (your tag clippings etc) is a challenge to manage. But it's important to do so. Thank you Simon. You are welcome on my NPR Podcast any time! (Not literally but certainly figuratively if you get my drift -- Hopefully trout won't but you will!).
If anyone is wondering, the same exact set up but with a weightless nymph under a small popping bug or hopper is the absolute best and most fun way to fish for spawning sunfish. Even works for shallow spawning crappie.
Those creeks look like what I have close to me. I'm about to start fly fishing (or trying to) here soon, a friend I met at work gave me a rod and reel he found forgotten in Colorado years ago (Temple Fork Outfitters Lefty Kreh Professional Series 3 wt rod and a Ross Reels CLA 1 reel for anyone interested). Thanks for making these kinds of videos, they're helping me a lot.
I was totally expecting to see Tom Rosenbauer talk small creeks. I know Tom is not the Rio Spey guy, Simon...buuut, could we please hear Tom try Simon's accent in the next video?!? BTW, Reddington makes the best creek rods for dirt cleap. Can't see spending $800+ a Sage creek rod. Well done Farbank.
There’s a creek fishing video that Tom did, I watched it yesterday :)
My 8ft 6 4 weight Redington is great for the Wee Burns in Scotland!
What does spey casting have to do with creek fishing? Talk about opposites lol. And Reddington is not exactly dirt cheap.. you could get St. Croix fly rods in creek size for cheaper I believe
I have a 2 Wright redington fiberglass rod that is a blast for little creeks.
I not too long ago got a 2wt bamboo rod though and I can't put it down.
Great video, Simon really knows what he is talking.
I can tell by the look on this man’s face and his voice that he really loves the challenge of creek fishing. I am on a creek often and still learned a few things from this intimate video. Thanks for making this video!
Great video.
As a fairly new fly fisher I have a question...
The hopper dropper, if im a fishing 3ft deep pool I should have my nymph 2 1/2ft below my big dry - so do i want to shorten my leader to 5ft?? Or keep a 7ft leader (inc tipoet for dry)??
It was opening day yesterday here in Michigan and I had some issues. I've moved to a new area due to work and had to change my whole technique due to no open rivers or streams. This video has given me some new ideas that I'll try today, thanks.
What a high value video. I really benefitted from learning the control drag technique.
Love this episode. Bigger isn’t always better. This is a different kind of fishing. Different enjoyment. Simon very easy to follow. Great teacher.
You are right at every point. This is the kind of fishing I do 90% of the time, and this is the best instruction I've ever seen for it.
I euro fish my small water on my 10’ 2wt. It’s perfect for bow and arrow casts.
Great video
A warm river is the time to break out the bass flies
Thanks Simon.
I guess Orvis doesn’t sponsor The New Fly Fisher anymore.
One thing about rod size... most of the time youre better off with a longer rod that you can high stick with. Unless you are really penned in. But realistically if you are actually casting, it doesnt matter if your rod is 6 or 9 feet. Your line is flying way behind you anyway
As someone who fishes primarily small streams and used a 9 foot rod for the first 18 years then bought a 6' 9" i respectfully disagree. The trouble a 7' rod stays out of on these creeks, walking to these creeks, etc is amazing, to say nothing of how you can reach the tip of it while you hold the butt on your foot which is priceless rigging and solving problems, and it can stay assembled in your car which actually increases my fishing opportunities, just knowing i can grab it, put on the wellies in my trunk, and fish from/near the bank of any water i see in 30 seconds.
Way too much extra filler stuff in this video. You talk too much.
I'm blessed to live in the Alberta Rockies. I have everything except salt water. Creeks and streams are by far the most enjoyable in my humble opinion.