10-16-2010, 11:22 PM
I like to cast upstream at an angle toward the bank and do occasionally short but quick strips with occasional pauses as the fly drifts downstream. One of my favorite variations of this cast, particularly in water where stealth is necessary is to cast so that my leader forms an upside down U along the bank of the river. Then when you start twitching, the fly will move up, then laterally, and then down away from the pool where you are targetting. If you think about it - baitfish don't typically swim upstream to escape their predators. Especially now, big browns are very territorial and looking to clear out the beds and nearby water. That is why the movement of streamers moving downstream really gets them 
[mad].
I also do fish a downstream approach where I twitch it up stream slowly. Love doing this with white streamers for some reason - the slight twitch against the current can drive fish crazy! But remember, if stealth is required, you either wanter to be standing on the opposite bank or exercise very good stealth when throwing streamers. I often stay low and get on my knees if I have to throw a streamer downstream.
Last bit of advice - experiment with different patterns. Everyone says that the type of streamer pattern doesn't matter. NOT SO. I've experienced huge differences of success by experimenting with pattern, size, and color. For example, switching to crayfish patterns made a huge difference for me when fishing a certain stream a couple weeks ago. Resulted in a very fat brown just shy of 20 inches. GOOD LUCK MAN! Right now is a great time to play around with streamers.
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[mad].I also do fish a downstream approach where I twitch it up stream slowly. Love doing this with white streamers for some reason - the slight twitch against the current can drive fish crazy! But remember, if stealth is required, you either wanter to be standing on the opposite bank or exercise very good stealth when throwing streamers. I often stay low and get on my knees if I have to throw a streamer downstream.
Last bit of advice - experiment with different patterns. Everyone says that the type of streamer pattern doesn't matter. NOT SO. I've experienced huge differences of success by experimenting with pattern, size, and color. For example, switching to crayfish patterns made a huge difference for me when fishing a certain stream a couple weeks ago. Resulted in a very fat brown just shy of 20 inches. GOOD LUCK MAN! Right now is a great time to play around with streamers.
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