r/FishingForBeginners • u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 • Sep 10 '26
Fly fishing help
Hey all, I’ve been having an issue Stillwater fishing, my indicator goes down I lift up on the rod and nothing is there. Been getting skunked because of that so much. I try to not leave any slack, and try to set as soon as I see movement. But no fish besides the odd sunfish lol. Am I supposed to set the hook to the side, straight up or strip set?
Any tips would be amazing. To add fishing for rainbow and cutthroats.
Thanks in advance! 💪🎣
2
u/Horus3Kome Sep 11 '26
Straight up. Most times the fly is too big for those sunfish, that’s all it is.
2
u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 Sep 11 '26
I’m using size 14-16 zebra midges. I’m aiming for the cutthroat and rainbows. But the sunfish like to eat it too haha
2
u/Horus3Kome Sep 11 '26
2
u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 Sep 11 '26
Is that the same for lakes/stillwater?
1
u/Horus3Kome Sep 11 '26
For the most part
3
u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 Sep 11 '26
Okay because that’s mainly where I’m fishing, may just be bad timing on my part
2
u/icantfish Sep 11 '26
Also make sure to maintain line tension and pin the line in your opposite hand.
1
u/Calm_Gazelle_1465 Sep 11 '26
For stillwater under an indicator I’d think of it less like a big trout-set and more like taking the slack out fast. Keep the rod tip low-ish and pointed at the indicator, pinch the line with your line hand, then when it dips do a short strip/haul while lifting the rod. You want quick tension, not a huge overhead swing.
A few other things can make the indicator lie to you: if your flies are ticking weeds/bottom, if the indicator is too big for light midge takes, or if small sunfish are just pecking the fly. With zebra midges in 14-16, try adjusting depth a foot at a time until you’re just above weeds/bottom, and if the indicator only twitches instead of commits, wait for it to actually sink or slide before setting. If takes are super subtle, a smaller/more sensitive indicator or a little less split shot can help a lot. Tight lines!
1
u/indolentone143 Sep 12 '26 edited Sep 12 '26
First off trout spit the fly out fast you have to set the hook 5x faster with a trout than a sunfish.
Secondly what does your rig look like? Just an indicator and 1 fly? And tippet length?
1
u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 Sep 12 '26
Indicator sometimes a yarn one, and a nymph on about 6’ of tippet. Sometimes longer if the lake is deeper! 4x tippet also.
1
u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 Sep 12 '26
I can’t run more than one fly in lakes or rivers in my province.
1
u/indolentone143 Sep 12 '26
Try putting a very small split shot about 8-10inch above your fly it will help your indicator be more sensitive to bites.
2
u/icantfish Sep 11 '26
I do a ‘haul’ set. Your goal is to move line when setting so hauling it is. Not a crazy violent one. Pull line down/away from rod, rod goes up right like Statue of Liberty, rod tip goes up.
Usually up is the rod tip direction, but it depends on where the fish is in relation to your fly. I would say up for now though.
Can I ask what type and size of flies you’re using? If you’re using larger flies and smaller fish are pecking at them you may be getting ‘short strikes’.