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Versatility is a Troutbitten mantra. It’s the way we fish. In fact, it’s why we fish a fly rod, because whatever way the trout wish to feed, we can show them flies that represent that food form.
And while some anglers hit the river with one thing in mind, with one fly box and one set of tools, it’s our ability to adapt, to adjust and modify our approach, that makes a lifetime on the water so interesting. Sure, we focus on our favorite tactics, and we may spend the next half a year just perfecting our dry fly game in tight cover. But once these skills are learned, then knowing that we can throw anything at any time, having a full set of skills at the ready, is a rewarding and enjoyable approach to fly fishing for trout.
Pursuing this kind of versatility also keeps us in the game for a lifetime. We are forever working on the next idea, refining new casts and another approach. Eventually, we develop such a facility with these skills that we begin to combine them, breaking free from the common and standard approach and landing on new ways to get a dead drift or move a streamer. Creation becomes the goal. Design becomes our drive. And experimentation leads to more answers that lead to more questions.
All of it is our reward for being a versatile angler.
But of course, nothing comes easy either. The beginning angler should probably refrain from branching out too much at first. Because too much versatility becomes confusing. It leads to frustration. There are stages. There are tools. There are systems for being versatile on the water. And there’s a time for all of it.
So that’s what we’re here to talk about tonight. Here for our season three finale is a full house: Austin Dando, Trevor Smith, Josh Darling, Bill Dell and Matt Grobe.
We Cover the Following
- Is versatility the opposite of specialization?
- Learn it all, then use it all
- The fly rod is supremely versatile
- Do you need a lot of gear to be versatile?
- What is a versatile fly rod
- Carrying systems
- Knowing when to change
- Finding a good reason to change
- Have a plan and test it
- Versatility within one style
- How versatility solves the daily mystery
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Resources
READ: Troutbitten | Use a Versatile and General Fly Rod
READ: Troutbitten | Find Feeding Fish
READ: Troutbitten | Look for the Changeout Spots
READ: Troutbitten | Find Your Rabbit Hole
You can find the dedicated Troutbitten Podcast page at . . .
Season Four of the Troutbitten Podcast is back to the Skills Series format, with short, compact episodes focused on specific tactics. Season Four is about Dry Dropper Styles, so look for that in you podcast feed.
Fish hard, friends.
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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com
Dom,
A few weeks ago I picked up the Troutbitten podcast by chance, like a nymph on a dead drift lazily passing by an opportunistic trout, with hardly any effort to take it in and hold on loosely – almost uninterested in my good fortune. Well to my surprise by the third episode, the hook was deeply set and I was on, though being retrieved willingly unlike the countless skirmishes with wild trout of Troutbitten’s stories (and my imagination.)
Sending a big thank you to yourself and the Crew for bringing the insights and adventure of flyfishing back to me after a long hiatus.
Congratulations on another Troutbitten season and I’m looking forward to spending the Summer cruising the Troutbitten.com website library of articles– with even more anticipation for next season!
Cheers from Woodbridge, Virginia! Jeff
So true. The same goes for learning to tie flies. Achieve proficiency at one pattern before attempting another.
Respectfully, doesn’t recommending versatility to the average weekend fly angler invoke the old saw, “Jack of all trades, master of none”? For those who fish only 10 to 20 days a season, it would take 10 years to accrue the experience of those who fish 100 to 200 days a year. I think it would make more sense to encourage the weekend warrior to focus on the method that best matches their fishery and work to perfect that. Within each method there exists multiple nuances and lots of versatility. Suggesting that the specialist is an incomplete angler ignores the personal reasons for specializing. Not all of us worry about “leaving fish on the table”.
Rick, I don’t write for the average angler. Same with the podcast. And I’ve made that clear. Troutbitten has never been about catering to the beginning angler. And yet, there is plenty of content here to support the beginner. And is it not appropriate to show long term goals and things for the beginner or weekend warrior, as you say, to aspire toward, such as versatility?
Answer: Yes, it is.
Also, we addressed EXACTLY what you brought up with both of your points in the actual podcast.
Please keep listening. We DIRECTLY addressed beginning anglers and specializing as a preference. It’s all in there.
Unlike Rick in the earlier comment, I don’t fish 100 or 200 days a year (or even 50) either. And while I definitely aspire to be a 100-days-on-the-water angler at some point, I want to be as versatile (and therefore as deadly) on the water as I can be, so that my currently-limited days on the water are as fruitful as possible. Which brings me to my question. You guys (and especially Bill) talk about “covering water.” If I am fishing a particular piece of water, what is the prompt to move on to the the next piece of water? Is “having exhausted all techniques and strategies without a fish” the prompt? Conversely, is “landing several fish within a small time window” the prompt, since I’ve “conquered” that piece of water and should try to conquer another? I suppose what I’m really asking is, what is a good reason to move on from a piece of water that is undoubtedly holding fish, if I haven’t caught any fish there? Shouldn’t I first dig in and crack the code where I’m standing before moving on? I almost feel like I haven’t earned the right to cover a whole stretch of water if I’m striking out in any one spot (again, being pretty certain those spots are holding fish). Thanks, Dom.
Hi Mark,
A few things come to mind. Go back and listen to the episode reading water cherry pick vs full coverage from season 1.
A rule I have is after 8 to 10 perfect drifts something has to change either my fly or something in my presentation.
That is just me and the style I like to fish. That does not work for everyone. I enjoy covering water and see as much of a river I can that day.
One note when hatches are occurring I will stay put more often and work fish because changing the pattern from dry , emeger , nymph … so on can many times make a difference.
Hi Mark ,
Good question ! … I will try and hit a few high points … this is my 2 cents
A few things come to mind …
Go back to season one and we talk about Reading Water and full coverage vs cherry picking.
Most days I enjoy covering water and seeing as much of a stream/river as I can. This is just me and how I like to fish.
Often to start the day, I will try and get a feel for how many cast it will take a fish to eat. Most day its less than 8 to 10 great drift in a good looking spot. ( If my casting is on that day I can get that in maybe 15 to 20 cast ) After 8 to 10 great drifts , I change something. The change could be the spot or a fly or the method.
I will start the day out and change flys often, if I am not catching fishing. I think of it this way , if the fish are not eating and I am confident in my presentation a variable need to change. If change flys does not work I will often move to using 2 confidence flys and just cherry pick and look for the active feeding fish.
This works most of the time but not always . Some days you have to stand in a run and send 25 good drifts to the fish and then you get the eat.
I will note that hatches change things. Fish are more active and at times will dial into a specific bug type , nymph , dry , emerge .
I can thing of about 10 other variables , but this is the top of the list for my methods. It often comes down to how getting a feel for the trout’s tendencies that day or maybe my tendencies that day
Other factions include fishing pressure , fish per mile , water temp , time if day , and cloud cover … It is hard to come us with a set of rules that match every situation … In the end spending time on the water and learning your river .. will give you the best rules for you ..
Thanks, Bill. Super thorough answer that gives me a lot to consider. I love the concept of “changing something” after a number of consistent, perfect drifts. That seems to be a great approach. I will definitely employ all of these tactics and considerations. And your last sentence makes me wonder about another thing I hope you can comment on: “Learning a river.” Again, as an angler who’s only getting out there about 30-40 times a year, do you think it’s better to stick with one river and and all parts of it, or do you think it’s more useful to fish different streams?
This depends on the access you have to rivers and tributaries. If your goal as an angler, is to learn and grow don’t fish the same exact water type ( head, tail , glass water , etc. .. ) and method (dry , nymph , streamers ,wets , etc. .. ) every day .
If you go to the same stream, same spot, same fly and fish 30 days in a row you won’t grow.
Very large river system you can fish a different location every day of the year , but smaller systems do not offer the same.
Make yourself uncomfortable , and try different methods and you could be rewarded.
If you change the water type or stream you fish, it will force you to adapt and become a better angler.
My logic starting out was to fish smaller streams ( less than 30 ft wide ) and try and learn the seasonal patterns of trout. Smaller streams sometimes can reduce the learning curve, because you just have less water to cover.
This worked for me but , I could also argue that working one river could give you this knowledge as well.
Lastly ..starting out I wrote down everything… water levels, water temps , date , air temp , water clarity , fly, best method that day … anything you can trend …and form patterns … All of this will help you learn trout habit in your area … some days fishing just sucks and you tip your hat to the fish.
As usual, great stuff!
A thought that came to mind as I listened to the podcast was that seeking versatility in itself helps angler engage in the sport. Not just to ‘keep their head in the game’ on a given outing, but to keep a person interested in the long haul.
I think we all know people who start fly fishing and lose interest after a while. Perhaps due to lack of success, or a feeling that they’ve ‘done it all’. I think that having an understanding that there are always new techniques to master, along with more opportunities for success, can be key not only for keeping beginners coming back for more but for those of us who have fished for decades. I’m a firm believer that we learn something new everyday.
One question: with all the variables involved in fishing a given piece of water, how do you home in on which factor resulted in success? Do you need to see the reaction of the fish to your presentation to help assess ‘what worked’? Perhaps this is a concept to cover in a future podcast…
Thanks
Great stuff guys! I think this is by far the most informative podcast so far and I belive that the versatile angler should be added as #10 to the 9 essential skills. It really ties everything together.
Thanks again
Dom,
I love your stuff and very much appreciate the guidance you have delivered me, both personally and through your amazing content. This past Friday was a gateway moment for me. I was fishing a tailwater in a new place and had brought my Tenkara rod with me to fish that day. It was a tough day
I remember wishing I had brought my 3wt 10’6” rod with me, loaded with the standard mono rig and with a full WF fly line on the reel. It would have been a much better day. I never really appreciated what you shared about the versatility of the mono rig before then. Suffice it to say, I don’t know how often I will go to the river without my 3wt again.
Mike
I love it. Nice