Big-Fish Tips & Techniques
Learn a reach cast and access more water.
When targeting big fish, a reach cast is helpful because it keeps the line from floating downstream before the fly. It allows a streamer to land tight to the bank with the line upstream, keeping the fly in position longer. After you stop the rod on your forward cast, create an extended follow-through by allowing your arm to cross your body. This puts a mend in the line before it even lands on the water.
Use fluorocarbon leaders & tippet.
Monofilament and fluorocarbon are the primary types of leader and tippet material. When targeting big fish subsurface—using streamers or nymphs—always choose fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon is more abrasion-resistant than monofilament, is stronger with less diameter, and doesn’t lose strength with prolonged UV exposure. When fishing on the surface with dry flies, monofilament is desired because fluorocarbon tends to sink more quickly.
You hooked a behemoth. Now, fight it properly.
Big fish are large for a reason—they don’t put up with any shit. When hooked, a large fish will fight for its life. Be ready, but also be patient. First, make sure the hook is set with purpose, using either a strip-set when streamer-fishing, or a deliberate rod-tip set if dry-fly fishing. If the fish wants to run, let it run, but keep some sideways or downward pressure against the direction of the run. During this time, it’s crucial that your rod tip is allowed to bend. When you feel the fish begin to ease its fight, apply increasingly stronger pressure, and reel in line in between bouts of pressure. At any moment, be ready to let the fish run again. It’s also a good idea to switch the angle or direction of pressure during the fight. This helps to tire and disorient the fish more quickly. When you can easily switch the angle or direction of pressure, the fish is ready to land. To gain control of a big fish for landing, bring its nose and eyes slightly out of the water—if you can do this close enough to slip a net under the fish, you’ve got it!