729 | Stillwater Fly Fishing Myths Debunked with Denny Rickards

#729 Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/729

Presented By: Pescador on the Fly, Four Wheel Campers, TroutRoutes  

  
Stillwater fishing has always been close to my heart, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges and misconceptions. I’m excited to have Denny Rickards on today’s episode because we'll debunk some stillwater fly fishing myths. 

Denny is one of the most knowledgeable stillwater anglers out there, and he’s here to share his step-by-step approach to finding big fish in lakes. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a solid framework for what to do (and what not to do) when fishing stillwaters.

You're in for a big treat today because you'll learn how to know when fish are moving, when they're not, and when they're feeding. You're also going to find out why you should be casting to the edge of the lake, how to find the exact depth for holding fish, and why fish take on the pause.

Show Notes with Denny Rickards on Stillwater Fly Fishing Myths

It's been six years since we had Denny on Episode 064, where we covered lakes and the history of stillwater fishing. Today, we're going to do another round, and we'll also talk about some common stillwater fly fishing myths and challenges.

Matching the Hatch

03:13 - Denny said many anglers start their day by trying to match what they think the fish are eating. He said this practice of matching the hatch comes from our days when we first started fly fishing on streams and rivers. Denny points out that 90% of a trout’s food is below the surface, not on top. 

Just because a fly isn’t working right away doesn’t mean it’s the wrong one. The real question is, did the fish even see it?

Finding Fish on a Lake 

07:36 - Denny says there are two things you must figure out first: where the fish are and how deep they are. If you don’t, you’ll fall into the trial-and-error trap. 

A common stillwater fly fishing myth is that a fish will hit your fly again if it missed the first time, but Denny’s never seen that happen. Instead of wasting casts on the same spot, Denny said to move. The angler who keeps moving will always outfish the one who stays put. The more fresh fish that see your fly, the better your chances.

The angler who keeps moving will always outfish the one who stays put. Denny Rickards

Where Do Trout Feed?

Denny said that no two lakes are the same. But trout feed in only two places where fish feed anywhere in the world: shoreline edges and the top foot of the surface. If the trout are not in any of those two spots, then that means they're under and not feeding.

If a trout is deeper than six feet, it's not eating; it's just sitting there like a brick. Some anglers think that because they catch fish at 10 feet, that’s where trout are feeding. But that’s a stillwater fly fishing myth. Trout move to eat, and they always go where food is most concentrated—shoreline edges and the surface.

Here's why: 

Food gathers in specific areas. Insects emerge from the bottom and stop at the surface. 

Shoreline edges are loaded with food because that’s where the proto plankton and zooplankton live.

Big fish don’t share space with small ones. They move shallow when there’s wind or darkness for cover.

18:47 - Most anglers think fish come up from behind and chase a fly. But that's a myth. Fish hit from the side. If you check where the hook lands, it's almost always in the corner of the mouth.

Here’s how to take advantage of that:

Show them the profile view. Fish moving along the shore want to see the whole fly—head, tail, color, and movement.

Don't strip too far. If you pull more than five feet, the fish won’t follow.

If you hook one, stay put. There’s probably more fish nearby.

The Truth About Where Trout Go

22:17 - Some say trout move way out deep when the sun gets high. That’s a myth. Why would a fish waste all that energy just to come back later? They don’t. They move just 8 to 10 feet out, right under where you are!

Why Water Temperature Matters

Water temperature is the number one thing that moves fish. Spring fishing can be tough in reservoirs because the water chemistry is out of sync. When lakes are drawn down in the fall, nutrients and oxygen levels take time to rebuild. That’s why the best fishing often doesn’t start until late summer or fall.

Here are some key things to remember: 

In the spring, reservoirs that are drawn down don’t fish well.

Cold water and low oxygen levels stress fish, making them harder to catch.

Fish like a temperature range of 55-62°F for optimal feeding.

The top water layers heat up in warmer months, but fish stay at the cooler, oxygen-rich depths.

Why Fish Take on the Pause

31:29 - Fish don’t always hit when you're pulling. They strike when you pause. Here’s why:

As you retrieve, your fly moves up in the water. When you pause, it drops. That’s when the fish makes its move. But instead of chasing, it simply opens its mouth and sucks the fly in. Denny learned this trick firsthand when he went fishing on Hebgen Lake.
 

Show Notes:  https://wetflyswing.com/729