High water after rain or snowmelt can be intimidating, but it’s also a prime time to catch trout. Inspired by professional high-water strategies, here’s how to turn muddy, fast rivers into your advantage.
Why High Water Works
High water pushes trout to the edges, where they seek slower currents and cover. It also stirs up food—worms, insects, and baitfish—triggering a feeding frenzy. The murkiness makes trout less spooky, giving you a chance at bigger fish.
Gear Adjustments
- Rod and Line: Use a 5- or 6-weight rod with a sinking-tip line to get flies down in fast currents.
- Flies: Go big and bright. San Juan worms, egg patterns, and flashy streamers (size 4-8) stand out in dirty water.
- Weight: Add split shot or use heavy flies to reach the bottom where trout hold.
Where to Fish
- Soft Edges: Look for slower water near banks, behind boulders, or in eddies. Trout rest here to conserve energy.
- Seams: The line between fast and slow water is a buffet for trout. Drift flies along these seams.
- Shallow Flats: In high water, trout move into flooded grass or shallow pockets where the current is weaker.
Techniques
- Nymph Deep: Use a tight-line or indicator setup with extra weight. Keep flies near the bottom, where trout feed.
- Swing Streamers: Cast across and let the current swing your streamer through likely lies. Add short strips to trigger strikes.
- Short Casts: High water means strong currents. Keep casts short and controlled to maintain contact with your fly.
Safety First
High water can be dangerous. Wear a wading belt, use a staff, and avoid deep, fast sections. If it looks sketchy, fish from the bank.
High Water Wins
Last spring, I fished a swollen river with a San Juan worm and landed a 20-inch brown in a grassy pocket. High water isn’t a barrier—it’s an opportunity. What’s your best high-water story? Share below!