Small Stream, Fast Water Nymphing
You found a good looking run…
Some might say a run this fast can’t hold the big browns and they’ll look for something slower. Don’t! These big guys are in here, and when they hit in this fast water, you better be ready! One quick turn down stream and he will be at your feet in seconds. On small rivers, I don’t use split shot on my line. A lead wrapped nymph is usually enough weight to get it down fast. Depending on the size of nymph you are using you might have to fatten up your tippet. A large weighted nymph on a light tippet can be hazardous. Ok, you have just tied on a weighted nymph and positioned yourself downstream at a good casting distance. I say downstream, because to cast up and across on a stretch this narrow, you would be on top of the fish (high sticking). In my opinion, high sticking on small rivers is not the best way to get the big guys out of their holes. The farther away from the fish you are, the better. Hovering over a run waving your 7′6" rod around is not the way to trick them.
You should fish the tailout of this fast run before pounding the targeted areas pictured above. After fishing the tailout, take your time and cover the targeted area right across the red line pictured above. This might take 20+ drifts or so to cover this small stretch, but do cover all these areas. Casting upstream into these targeted areas in fast water is work. Once the nymph hits the water it will be coming right back at you very fast, so you must strip that excess line in quickly. Two reasons for this, one, the line will be parked around your legs if you don’t, and two, you won’t to be able to set the hook when and if you do indicate a strike. I use floating fly line, the tip acts as an indicator. As you are stripping the excess line in, you are also watching the end of your fly line. If you see it stop, bump, go back upstream!, or anything out of the ordinary, set the hook! If you don’t see your line ever hesitate or bump, you’re probably not deep enough. You want the nymph down on the bottom. Just enough weight to graze, but not drag/snag on the river bed. After fishing this section and heading up stream, try it again on the way back down. It’s had a few hours since you last tried it so it might be ready for a quick down stream attack.
With some runs you just don’t have room to cast upstream. Branches, rocks etc. in these situations, sneak around and try them from above (upstream). Using your rod tip and the current to direct the line from left to right. Start by letting out line to meet the A section, check it left and right and then move down to section B and so on…. It only takes a few minutes and can be very rewarding. Try it with streamers 
, wet flies and nymphs .
It works for me.
Rob
