Positioning

Where you physically stand before you even cast can make the difference between catching fish and not. It is the foundation of a realistic ...

Where you physically stand before you even cast can make the difference between catching fish and not. It is the foundation of a realistic hassle free drift. It is also very overlooked by anxius fly fishers. I prefer to limit or even avoid mending, given that it is many times unavoidable, yet positioning yourself to minmize it is very possible. For example standing downstream from your targeted water, when dealing with varying current speeds, you can cast a belly in the line on the faster current and have a drag free drift through your desired spot. With even current standing across from the fish lie will help in your drift. For slow clear water I often stand upstream to prevent spooking fish and allow the fly to drift over the water before any fly line, this works well for dry fly fishing.

There are as many variations on the above strategies as there are fishing spots. But a little thought before casting can greatly aid in your ability to present the fly in a manner which is desriable.