Night Fishing 2

Everyone knows that the big boys come out to feed at night. Here are some of my favorite nighttime tactics.

Fish big - Lots of times fish lose all caution at night and just want to eat a big meal, not unlike myself. This is when I pull out the size 8 PMXs, Stimulators, Chernobyls, Mice, and other such patterns. Either fish these to visible risers, blind cast and listen, or skate them across the surface of your favorite big fish lairs and hang on.

Fish into the glare - When it is getting too hard to see position yourself so that you are casting into the glare left by the sunset or the glare of the moon. This way you can often pick out the silhouette of your dry fly or at least see the rise of a fish and try to get close.

Fish streamers - If seeing is just impossible trying fishing by feel with streamers. Cast across current and either strip or swing your fly through spots that you know hold fish. You may have to scout these spots in the light and then come back. The feel of a big fish grabbing your fly will be enough to make this worth tripping your way back to the truck.

Try these simple things the next time you're out after dark and looking for the lunker that you know is in your favorite hole.