Guide Tips

Fish Close First

Trout do not know where foot paths end at the waters’ edge or where boat ramps rise from the river, so fish all the water that looks likely, particularly the water closest to you. Nothing hurts like walking toward the big boulder where you imagine the big brown is hiding, only to see him explode from the slightly smaller boulder at your feet. Too many lake anglers walk out into the lake as far as possible and begin to double haul 80 feet of line out into the middle of the lake... when the fish were actually cruising the shoreline in shallow water.

When looking at a section of a stream or river, try casting first to the area through which you plan to walk. A flip of the fly or a roll cast to the near edge of a likely lie will often produce a great fish. Having fished the near water first, with or without success, an angler can move to the next likely spot without missing an easy opportunity.

At a lake, the trout will often cruise the shallows, drop off or rocks very close to the bank. Before even entering the water, cast to these structures while standing well back from the edge – sometimes from the bushes. Shadows, an angler’s profile or especially a wake on calm water will send the trout swimming out of range.

The last bit of advice…make sure you are ready on your first cast to the water closest to you -- SLURP!

Jim Hickey, Head Guide and partner in WorldCast Anglers Ltd. lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Along with helping to manage WorldCast Anglers operations Jim also oversees the Western Rivers Professional Guide School, specializing in training and placing the guides in the Rocky-Mountain West.

Jim cut his teeth on the rivers of North Carolina and Virginia. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College in 1993, Jim moved west to begin his professional fishing and guiding career in Wyoming. As a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor, ClackaCraft ProStaff member, ESPN competitor, and member of Team USA, his knowledge and proficiency are widely admired.