Most fly fishers use the pinkie finger to pull the line once the initial pinch pull is complete. These involve the number of fingers used to gather line. The hand-twist has a number variables you should try once you have mastered the basic retrieve motion. Once mastered, the hand-twist becomes second nature, although it might take some practice before you are comfortable with the twisting or rolling motion. Gathered line can be stored in your hand, or allowed to drop once a single hand weave is complete.

Continue this rolling or weaving motion until the retrieve is complete. Roll your retrieve hand back up to the rod hand and pull down another length of line at the same speed and length, using the tip of your pinkie finger. Pull down a length of line at a speed to match the conditions. To begin the hand-twist, pinch the line between your thumb and forefinger of your retrieve hand. As I prefer to fish flies slowly, it is my primary retrieve. Executed at medium or slow pace, it is a busy retrieve that helps prevent retrieving too quickly due to impatience. From brisk to snail pace, the hand-twist suggests all manner of food sources. The hand-twist (or hand weave) is the staple stillwater retrieve, involving a weaving or hand rolling motion.

It is not uncommon for me to use three different retrieve speeds from slow to fast for each prey item. Although each food item moves with its own unique cadence, I use water temperature as my retrieve pacemaker: the cooler the water, the slower the pace. Time between pulls, often referred to as “the pause”.Īttracting strikes is just a matter of experimenting with these four variables. If there are no takers, I default to my planned retrieve.Īll stillwater retrieves have four key elements ģ. All of my retrieves start with 2-3 brisk strips to confirm I am both tight to fly and also to induce sudden movement to attract any fish that might be nearby.

Once the fly has sunk (I like to target 1-3 feet above the bottom weeds and debris), it is time to begin the retrieve. Stillwater fly fishers develop their hand skills-not only to help meet the casting challenges lakes dictate, but also to manipulate the fly line through a variety of retrieve styles so their flies spring to life. Due to the soft, often subtle way that trout feed in lakes, the presentation challenges for stillwater are more taxing than those of moving waters.

Fishing planet retrieval techniques