up or down stream

[Bryon Anderson 0]

When fishing dries, wets or nymphs I like to present the fly from a position a little upstream and across from the fish. I walk/wade whichever direction allows me to do that for any given fish or likely fish-holding lie.

 

When fishing streamers (which I do about 80% of the time), I wade downstream, but throw the fly across and upstream at about a 45 degree angle. Fleeing baitfish, when faced with a predator, will almost always flee downstream so as not to have to fight the current. I find it much more effective to make my streamer do likewise. The above is my preferred method if I am fishing a floating line. If I'm using a sink-tip, I throw straight across-stream, as the current will quickly "belly" the sinking portion of the line, which will cause the fly to swim downstream.

[rockworm 0]

I didn't vote because I usually fish up the stream (when I am fresh) and then back down (when I am tired.) When possible, I will walk down the road to get back to my car. So if I must vote, it would be for upstream. However, many a good fish has been caught as I waded back to the car.

[Brian Myers 0]

Prefer upstream but it all depends on where I park and where I'm able to walk in .

[ikerajala 0]

Yes, I agree with most every one else. Wading upstream is best. That is what I voted for!

[vicrider 0]

I didn't vote because I usually fish up the stream (when I am fresh) and then back down (when I am tired.) When possible, I will walk down the road to get back to my car. So if I must vote, it would be for upstream. However, many a good fish has been caught as I waded back to the car.

I did vote. When I did most of my serious trout fishing up north in WI I was almost always able to walk upstream to a road crossing, then catch a ride back down to my car. Sometimes had to hide gear in brush but never had a problem doing that. In MN that option was not usually there but would always fish upstream first, then when about burnt out, take a break to let water rest, then start fishing back down. Seldom had the option to choose up or down right from the start.

 

Sometimes, if I had a buddy fishing with me, we'd drop one off at crossing, then other would drive upstream to another crossing. When we'd meet in middle a couple of hours later we'd take a break, pass the car keys over, then fish our way back to car, then drive to pick up buddy. That really worked great.

[GdubyaSmith 0]

I start on my side upstream and dead drift down and past. I work across the stream, mending when needed, doing the same and let it run long and feed line if there is a particularly good looking spot I want to reach. If there is one of those up stream I'll bypass it so I can work down to it without lining it.

If there is someone above me I'll work until I feel it's close if I was in that spot, get out and move around, then start the process over again. I have no idea if they've beaten the water to death so I wont bother attempting to fish where they are. It seems to work well for me.

[Fly Fishing Russia 0]

I prefer to move & fish downstream, espeacially on very swift streams where a wobbler-fly is the best choice.

[utyer 0]

Many places I fish give options on where you access and which way you can walk. If there are no other anglers, I will walk down stream and work my way back upstream. As I fish, I will work the area from down stream to up stream. Then work the same area from up stream. I think its important to be able to cast and create the desired presentation (usually a dead drift for dries or nymphs,) in any direction (up down, and across.) Many areas will fish better from one side or the other, so I want to be fishing the full 180 degree arc either up or down stream.

 

If I am having success, and there is no reason to move on, I will usually fish the same area two or three times. I work the whole run, hole, or riffle from bottom to top and back again several times if possible. I have had times when I could fish the same 200 yard area all morning and catch fish on every pass.

 

If I am going to make a long walk, I prefer to walk downstream first, and start working my way back up to where I started. Easier walking when your fresh, than having a long walk back after a full day.