Deep Slow Runs??

**DyberryBrookies** · 04-11-2012, 07:09 AM

Ok so, how do you go about nymph fishing a long slow moving stretch of water that is 10 to 12 ft deep? The fish are on the bottom of this pool and Im sure are used to slurping up things as they move along the bottom of the river. The bank on my side of the river has a relatively slow taper while the opposite side is essentially a drop off. The width of the deepest part of the run is probably 15 ft wide while the river itself is probably 35 to 40 ft. So, in other words the run is tucked up against the opposite bank. I have set up indicators for 5 or 6 ft pools and done well but, this would be a mess to cast going any deeper than that. What are my options?

**northcountryman** · 04-11-2012, 08:49 AM

Can you see the trout on the bottom buddy? If so, forget the indy and rig it w/ your shot below the nymphs and drift it past the lie. If not, maybe you'll have to blind strike it! How long is the cast about from where your standing?

**DyberryBrookies** · 04-11-2012, 09:15 AM

NorthCountry,
Whats up buddy? How are ya? No visual on those bastards, but I know they are there!! Im gonna try an approach from the deep side today and see if I cant do a slow dead drift bouncing a shot and a high profile fly down through the hole! I gotta figure out how to fish these holds since all the trout in the river seem to be localized in them, as I have caught some fish at the head waters of these holes. The rest are burried under 10 ft of water until the river warms up!
DB

**northcountryman** · 04-12-2012, 07:14 AM

Hey!! Doin' good and hope you are too!! Deep runs/holes that are slow moving are hard to fish IMHO but your strategy sounds right to me. Experiment with different amounts of weight to present it at different depths in the water column and at different speeds too. Who knows, you may pull a hog outta there! We still have to go fishin' this year!! I'll be in touch!

Later, NCMan

**Davyfly** · 05-02-2012, 12:44 AM

DB,

How do you know the water is 10/12ft deep ?
Deep slow water holes can be a tuff deal, you have 4 issues to deal with.

1. Getting the fly down to the fish, weight is the only answer, at times a sinking line may be used if you have enough water to work with.
2. Have a fly they will take, bear in mind in slower water they have a great deal more time to inspect the fly.
3. Detecting a take.
4. Odds are if you hook one its will spook the others.

My initial approach will be given your info is to rig with at least 2 number 1 shot to 5x FC and no indicator. Two flies spaced 18ins apart with the shot 12 ins above the upper fly, you need as much animation from the flies as you can get. You will also need a long leader at least 15ft or more.
Cast must be made well upstream on the intended level for fly presentation, you must watch the leader sink rate from fly line to the furthermost visible point.
You should see a gradual surface sink rate as the leader/tippet sinks, if it stops or moves quicker assume a fish has taken the fly. If not then raise the rod and flies and lower the rig, again watch the sink rate.
if you have to use a indicator then so be it but use it in the same manner as watching the leader/tippet its not always going to sink if a fish takes the fly.

Next option is one l used to use to get big browns out of a deep hols with a large mayfly nymph which was well weighted, tied on a LS 8 hook. l would cast it above the hole and know when it was at the bottom by a countdown method, you watch the leader until it now longer is being pulled down by the fly.
You then slowly raise the rod and fly with a tight line and drop shot the fly up and down, watch the leader for the tell tale take of the trout, movement of the fly is often the only way to promote a take.
Small jigs are also a good choice here.

Hope this helps you.

Davy.