Stream Fly Fishing- Trout Holding Lies

As you fly fish for trout it becomes very important to know the different varieties of trout lies. The Trout take up its positions, or lies, depending upon a set of 3 of their fundamental needs when they move in water. The needs are a shelter from constant current with protection from predators plus the requirement of adequate food.

Often swimming against any strong current could be extremely tiring for any trout. Hence, they look for protection from current which becomes is their foremost need. At times, the trout rests behind objects within the water, such as a large rock, that breaks the current. However, at times, the trout stay within holding lies which are close to current. They prefer to be able to grab any food coming their way and dash out towards it.

The second need which the trout has is protection from the predators. They often prefer water which has enough depth, or is rough enough so that they are not seen at the bottom by other predatory birds like the osprey or kingfishers. The trout commonly hold where some type of cover exists to protect them. The cover they look for is like a log or a deep pool. It could be an undercut bank to keep very safe. Sometimes while fly fishing, one might see small and medium sized trout often feeding in shallows quite far from any kind of shelter. It is however quite unusual to see bigger trout feeding in shallows, unless it finds some kind of cover nearby.

Third need, which mostly overrides the previous two, is the basic need for enough food. The trout seems to live by fundamental formula; any food it consumes should give it more energy than they expend having it. Any trout would fight against a heavy and strong current if migrating, hatching, or drifting insects come in the way. For the trout any amount of food which the insects provide justifies that extra energy required to fight any current. Usually, in case of a heavy hatch, trout might hold towards the surface of pool, or a flat, putting them in danger from different predators as they greedily feed.

In fly fishing, to know the three basic requirements of trout which would make them to hold within some types of water, when avoiding others, becomes a significant piece of information. Knowing the main spots of water which meet any of the trout's most basic requirements, would know precisely where the fish is holding.

Holding Lies

Trout have three kinds of holding lies. Holes which are deep and those looking like dark areas within the streambed are commonly used to do away with the current. Best deep holes often have logs or boulders for cover. Then, eddies below points, like the edge of boulders, create slack water pool. Sometimes a reverse current pool is created, holding many trout. At times, upwelling springs come up as lighter spots of the bubbling sand where usually the silt has washed itself away. Quite many trout are brought closer to such springs in summers and winters due to a stable temperature.

A successful fly fishing would depend upon knowing everything possible about habitats and habits of the fishes you are planning to hook.