Alberta Fishing Guide Summer-Fall 2015 | Page 79

Look for subtle spots: tight seams in shallow water are perfect places to watch for subtle rises during blue-winged olive hatches. Rainbows will target the edges of riffles, moving laterally in 6" of water, targeting emergers, duns, or spinners. If you watch carefully, you'll notice shallow water cycles in tight to shore.

It's important to be able to spot dark heads and snouts in reflective glare of silver-tipped riffles in order that presentations and approaches do not spook them from often very shallow water. Observing what's happening in a run before engaging is paramount. Consider differing trout species' tendencies: spring creek browns may tend to move to weedy breaks while cutthroat move to woody debris or shallower tail-outs of troughs and pools. Rainbow trout often pop their heads in shallower riffles during the hatch or sip gently on flats. The largest rainbows often leave small dimples while a large-headed male brown's rise can't help but move water.

It's best to approach feeding fish from downstream and cast slightly to the side of rising fish, ensuring the fish is not lined as you work the risers of a run. Focus on your approach: there is nothing more disheartening than realizing you spooked the trout of a lifetime as you splash through 6 inches of water. Watching a huge wake between you and shoreline making a bee-line for deeper water is unnecessary. It is important to work slow and methodically, ensuring you look for the fish to tell you where to cast.