Stillwater Secrets: Fishing Lakes and Ponds
Fly fishing still waters requires a different approach than moving water.
My friend Tom had invited me to fish a small alpine lake. “It’s full of trout,” he promised. “But you have to fish it differently than streams.”
He was right. My first few hours were frustrating - blind casting, random retrieves, no action. Then Tom showed me the techniques that unlocked stillwater fishing.
Reading Stillwater
Unlike streams, stillwaters don’t show you where the fish are. You have to find them.
Structure
Fish relate to structure in lakes:
- Drop-offs: Depth changes where fish patrol
- Points: Fish cruise points looking for food
- Inlets: Cooler, oxygenated water
- Weedbeds: Food and cover
- Submerged logs: Ambush points
Depth Layers
In summer, lakes stratify:
- Surface: Too warm, low oxygen (except early/late)
- Thermocline: Temperature transition zone, fish hold here
- Deep: Cooler, but less oxygen
Fish move vertically throughout the day, chasing food and comfort.
Wind
Wind is your friend in stillwaters:
- Food blows into windward shore: Fish know this
- Chop on water: Fish feel secure
- Surface disturbance: Oxygenates water
Techniques
The Hover
Fish your flies just like they’re suspended:
- Cast out
- Let the fly sink to depth
- Wait - sometimes for minutes
- Occasional tiny twitches
- Takes can be surprisingly subtle
The Strip
Moving the fly attracts attention:
- Cast and let sink
- Strip in 6-inch pulls
- Pause between strips
- Vary speed and pattern
- Takes usually on the pause
The Hand Twist
Subtle, natural movement:
- Strip in very slowly
- Twist your wrist slightly
- Creates natural wiggle
- Excellent for calm days
The Floating Line
Don’t ignore shallow water:
- Early morning: Fish near surface feeding
- Late evening: Same story
- Callibaetis hatches
- Damselfly activity
- Rising fish
Stillwater Fly Selection
Streamers
Woolly Bugger:
- Black, olive, purple
- Size 6-10
- Retrieves or hover
Leech Patterns:
- Bunny leech
- Marabou leech
- Black, olive, brown
Baitfish:
- Clouser minnow
- Sculpin patterns
- Minnow imitations
Nymphs
Damselfly Nymphs:
- Size 10-12
- Green/brown
- Strip like swimming
Dragonfly Nymphs:
- Size 6-10
- Large, bulky
- Slow strip
Chironomids (Midges):
- Size 14-20
- Red, black, green
- Suspension fishing under indicator
Dry Flies
Callibaetis:
- Size 12-16
- Mayfly dun pattern
- Spinner falls too
Damselfly Adults:
- Size 10-12
- Blue or green
- Skitter across surface
Ants and Beetles:
- Size 12-18
- Terrestrials blow onto water
- Especially near banks
Equipment Considerations
Rods
Longer rods help:
- 9-10 feet for better line control
- Helps with mending line on the surface
- Easier to pick up line for recast
Lines:
- Floating: Most versatile
- Intermediate: Sinks slowly, stays just below surface
- Type III Sinking: Gets down quickly
- Type V or VI: Deep water, fast sink
Leaders
Shorter than streams:
- 7-9 feet typical
- 3X-4X for streamers
- 5X-6X for chironomids
Indicators
Stillwater indicators:
- Large, highly visible
- Easy to adjust depth
- Detect subtle takes
- Essential for chironomid fishing
Finding the Fish
That day at the alpine lake, Tom taught me his system:
- Check the wind: Fish the windward side
- Look for structure: Points, weedbeds, drop-offs
- Start deep: Work floating or intermediate line
- Change depth: If no action, go deeper or shallower
- Change retrieve: Fast, slow, hover, strip
- Change fly: If you’re confident it’s not the fly
The Countdown Method
For consistent depth control:
- Cast out
- Count to 10 (line sinks)
- Begin retrieve
- Note where you get takes
- Adjust count accordingly
Timing Matters
Early Morning
- Surface feeding begins
- Fish shallow
- Dry flies or shallow nymphs
- Before the sun hits the water
Mid-Day
- Fish go deep
- Use sinking lines
- Streamers and large nymphs
- Work structure thoroughly
Evening
- Best dry fly action
- Callibaetis hatches
- Damselfly egg-laying
- Wind usually drops
Night
- Big fish cruise shallow
- Large dark streamers
- Mouse patterns
- Exciting but challenging
That Day on the Lake
After Tom’s instruction, I finally caught on:
- Found a drop-off near a weedbed
- Used an intermediate line
- Tied on an olive Woolly Bugger
- Counted to 15 after the cast
- Made slow strips with long pauses
On my third cast, a strong take. A 16-inch rainbow that fought hard in the cold alpine water. I ended up catching half a dozen fish that afternoon.
Stillwater Philosophy
Stillwater fishing is a puzzle:
- More water to cover
- Fish harder to locate
- Requires more patience
- But can be incredibly rewarding
Learn to read the water, understand the structure, and vary your presentation. Stillwaters hold some of the largest trout you’ll ever catch on a fly.
Getting Started
If you’re new to stillwaters:
- Start with a Woolly Bugger: It always works
- Get an intermediate line: Most versatile sinking option
- Fish the windward shore: Food concentrates there
- Count your line down: Know your depth
- Be patient: Cover water methodically
Stillwaters offer excellent fishing once you unlock their secrets. The key is understanding that fish behave differently here than in moving water - and adjusting your approach accordingly.