Figuring Out a Lake-Phil Rowley Fly Fishing Strategy

Join me on the water as I get on the water early for one of my stillwater fly fishing schools at British Columbia's Corbett Lake Lodge.
Prior to the start of any on-the-water stillwater fly fishing school, I like to experiment with different techniques, tactics, and flies appropriate to the season so I can pass along what I learned to my students so they can catch fish too.
Learn how to fly fish lakes through my Stillwater Essentials Masterclass: anchoredoutdoors.com/2019/sti...
Orvis Guide to Stillwater Trout Fishing: bit.ly/OrvisGuidetoStillwater...
Equipment Used in This Video:
Mystic 10' 3" 6Weight M-Series Fly Rod: bit.ly/mysticm-series
Mystic 10' 6 Weight Reaper X Fly Rod: bit.ly/MysticReaperX
RIO Coastal Quickshooter: bit.ly/RIOCoastalQuickshooter
RIO Elite Stillwater Floater: bit.ly/RIOStillwaterFloater
RIO Premiere Clean Sweep (Fast): bit.ly/RIOCleanSweep
Flies Used In This Video
FAB (Foam Arsed Blob): bit.ly/3Se5lCp
Greater Water Floatman: bit.ly/3qQ9dho
Blob: bit.ly/3RXZotI
Cruncher: bit.ly/3xuJC12
Gomphus: bit.ly/3UjfTSw
Visit Corbett Lake: www.corbettlake.ca/
Keep in Touch:
Website: flycraftangling.com/
Join My Mailing List: bit.ly/2qmU2QL
Facebook: goo.gl/gYR2MB
Instagram: goo.gl/QVot5t
Twitter: / flycraftphil

[@Pwrcritter]

Very helpful. Would love to see a bank fishing ff trout video.

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

I am glad to hear you enjoyed my video. I don’t get to bank fish much due to how are small lake are but I will certainly add this idea for a future video. Cheers Phil

[@ValcoBayrunner]

Water temps up here in AK were 51 deg F last weekend, leech and scuds for me from here out. That long net handle looks handy 🤣. I use that short handled floating Frabill steelhead net and wish it had a 3ft handle for float tubing. Couldn't have had a nicer day.

[@lincolnprojectnemesis3253]

Really good video. So many anglers either don't or aren't able to have multiple rods and reels with specialty lines. Would you consider a video of using less expensive options for different styles of presentations. I have just bought amsink tip to use with floating line for dredging retrieves. Although perhaps not as finesse as the sinking line you used, i believe (insert hope here) that I can replicate presentations to some level of replication tomwhat youmwere doing. Also mess8ng about with some different leader options for chironomid fishing. The very short butt section with straight mono to het the fly straight down works, but to minimize leaders, have found using a 9mfoot standard taper with a micro swivel and 5 foot of tippet works fine to about 10 feet and adding micro shot for deeper presentation has enabled longer casts...with challenges. Thank you for your videos as they are to the point and effective. Some videos talking about budget options and suggestions for us cheap buggers would be appreciated. Thanks again.

[@kevinjtoner]

Always enjoy your very informative videos……. Thank you Phil!!! 👍🎣

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Kevin, thanks for watching I am pleased to hear you enjoyed this video. Cheers, Phil

[@h.ya.1702]

I learned a few things this video. Great video thank you

[@ericrowley18]

Another great video. Thanks Phil!

[@esjovold6572]

Great video. Thanks

[@robgrubb420]

PERFECT

[@ronaldruneric4804]

Phil == Since you asked: I would like to learn about imitating zooplankton. It seemed impossible, but since you actually tie and fish daphnia imitations, can you do some videos along those lines? Thank you.

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Thanks for request Ronald. I will add your suggestion to my list. Cheers, Phil

[@gregwheatley1355]

Hi Phil... Awesome video !! I quite often use "loch style" drift to locate fish with great success.. A little question... Noticed yr drouge is attached with two lines.. do you not find the fish tend to head straight towards then for the ropes and become entangled? Great video please do more Greg Wheatley South Africa

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Greg, Thanks for taking the time to comment. I am also pleased to hear that you enjoy my video. The European para drogue I use has two ropes, as you have noticed, the drogue always "self-centers" when deployed, so I don't have to worry about finding the "balance point" when using a single rope. It works very well. I have, so far, never had a fish get behind the boat and into the ropes, although it could definitely happen. Similar risks when I decide to double anchor, which is very popular on our western stillwaters, especially when fishing chironomids. Cheers, Phil

[@thebeartoothflyfisher]

Another great video, Phil. A couple of questions: 1) what rig (line/leader) were you using with the Tequila Fab (before switching over to the indicator rig) and how deep were you fishing? 2) How do you get an accurate depth setting when fishing under an indicator off a drop off? Up here, in Maine, I've had success in recent weeks fishing Blobs under an indicator at anywhere from 22-29 ft down for these stubborn Brookies. But, in these natural lakes (called "ponds" here) the bottom depth changes a lot (ie. holes) so am constantly re-checking for proper indicator setting. Also would appreciate advice on retrieves with Fabs/Blobs with a Type 5 or Type 7 sinking line.......slow or fast? Seems like my dropper (Blob) gets weeds.

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Mark, Thanks for taking the time to post your questions. For the Tequila FAB I was using a RIO Coastal Quickshooter line and about 9 feet of leader. The Coastal Quickshooter was originally designed for beach fishing to sea run cutthroat. It is an excellent stillwater line. It features a 34' clear intermediate head and intermediate running line. It casts a mile allowing you to cover a lot of water. As for fishing indicators off drop-offs it takes some experimentation. The angle of the drop-off plays a role. I also use my sounder to look for fish along the deep edges. When I was fishing Corbett on this day 12' down seemed to be the magical number. When fishing Blobs as an attractor I fish them fast using a 3-6 inch strip pause retrieve. I hope this helps. If you have any additional questions at all please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks, Phil

[@shmish]

Thanks for the video. I don't quite understand how we would know the depth as we cast parallel to the drop off. I can measure the depth of where my boat is by dropping a line with a weight, but I won't know the depth where my fly lands. Am I over thinking this, do we just make a best guess?

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

Hi Doug, There is a bit of experimentation involved to find the right depth. Sometimes the fish cruise shallow, other times they are deeper. I use my sounder to mark fish along the deep edges and in the case of Corbett and its crystal clear water I often see the fish cruising the edges. You can also measure depth as you have suggested using a marked line and weight to plumb the deep edges. I hope this helps. If you have any additional questions at all please don't hesitate to ask. Cheers, Phil

[@ninjasinc]

Two bacon sandwiches till dinner??! What about lunch?

[@PhilRowleyFlyFishing]

I did have some snacks with me. 😃 Cheers, Phil