how fast is to fast ?

shon42073 · Senior Member

how fast is to fast ?

ConcordBob · Veteran Member

Good question.

I have caught fish in some fairly fast rapids and waters over the years. However it probably was more of a function of the fish having some obstuction below the surface which kept them out of the direct flow.

Usually when I fish fast moving water, if I don't catch any fish, I just assume that�the water�must have been�way too fast. (and it is not my fishing skills weirdface

).

I have heard or read the same thing that you noted. If the water is moving faster than a good paced walk, it is probably too fast and fish would not be holding there.

In the big picture, I really have no idea how fast is to fast. It will be interesting to hear others thoughts.

JT · Senior Member

I hooked a beast in the�white water below the bridge a couple of years ago.��My drag was set too tight, though, so when the slack�line hit the reel, he was gone.� You live and you learn.� When fishing fast water like that I use bigger flies.�

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

I tend not to spend too much time in the real fast water unless i find pockets in these areas then I'll try the high stick method with no indicator (if I can get close enough).Remember that fish don't like to expend too much energy by fighting to stay in fast water,this burns too many calories. Bono

shon42073 · Senior Member

Great point on the expending to much energy Bono.

JL · Senior Member

Fast water can hold some really big fish, if, like someone said, there are obstructions behind / under / on the side of which the fish can rest out of the current.�

Upsides:� Fish don't have time to decide if it's food... they hit it and they hit it hard.

Downsides:� If the fast water extends for any length downstream, good luck landing a big fish.

To Wit:� My tightlining posts (including one I'll post in a bit) reference catching fish in pretty fast water.� Often times, in the heat of the summer, the fast water is where the fish are due to oxygenation levels.� That's truer on mountain streams where flows drop and water warms over the course of the summer.� Putah's a special case.� It flows cold all year round.

JL