Trout Tips: Fishing streamers

Editor's note: The following is exerpted from TU's book, "Trout Tips," available online for overnight delivery.

Have you ever made an impulse purchase that you later regretted? Then you have some insight into the mind of the fish who eats a streamer. Like a bargain shopper, fish don't like to miss an opportunity. Your fly must be a limited-time offer. If the fish has too much time to inspect and think his decision through, he'll decide to pass.

On the other hand, no fish wants to engage in the pointless pursuit of a bullet train. Remember to think about the environment where the fish and the fly meet. If the water is moving slowly, your fly should scorch off the bank, sending the message that it's now or never. If your fly is in fast-moving water, it's already moving quickly in relation to a holding trout. Slow your retrieve down and give the fly a twitching action, like a wounded baitfish.

Always remember that a predator takes what he wants. It's your job to make him want the fly.

– Louis Cahill, Atlanta, Ga.