Slide Inn Q&A #6- Fishing High Water with Kelly Galloup

In this Q&A session, Eric Weller asks:
" With run off just around the corner, the rivers about to get high and muddy. A lot of people quit fishing, but obviously the fish still have to eat. My question is: what method works best for these conditions? Streamers, Nymphs, etc.. Also, what areas of the river do you target under these conditions."

[@tannerfurbee6387]

Every thing he says just makes sense from techniques to the flies he ties. Love learning from Mr. Galloup

[@newhampshireoutdoornetwork9505]

I cant belive ive never seen this video. Lots of good info and you can always be sure kelly is giving good tips and tricks

[@richwatson5716]

Great info “look for the water” when it’s high and dirty. Glad I found this with runoff happening right now in MT

[@kevinalbrecht954]

Probably the best instructional video I've ever seen. Straight to the point. Perfect.

[@kellygalloup6073]

Thanks Kevin, glad you liked it. Kelly

[@tannerfurbee5227]

Kelly Galloup will the real Kelly Galloup plz stand up

[@craigphillips7258]

I learn something from every Slide Inn video, whether it's fishing or tying. Thank you.

[@bustedboat]

Filled with detail, yet straight to the point. Thanks guys!

[@Serioussam1215]

I always love your Q&A. I look forward to the next one that comes out! Thanks for posting!

[@mrlifetime64]

its a pleasure learning from you-u explain everything soo well thanks

[@tooter1able]

Kelly, thanks tons for your needed,informative, and encouraging videos!

[@kin9karn4ge]

These videos are great! keep it up. Ive just started fly fishing and i love how in depth these are.

[@zachariahdavis8671]

We've had lots of rain recently in the Driftless. Local forum chatter indicates people are avoiding the high dirty water. After watching this video went fishing and applied your techniques and had some of the best days all season! Added bonus, I had multiple streams all to myself. Thanks for the great advice!

[@CaptainChaos6969]

Thank you, this video made me a high water hero this season.

[@robbiesflytyingchannel]

Kelly, great video....I really like the idea of the split shot on the bottom....never thought of that before.

[@davidw3211]

Great tips for water that throws so many of us off our game. Thanks Kelly!

[@larryglatt2548]

Thanks; very good thank you. You did a very informative one about testing fly rods and I wondered if you would do one about fiberglass rods (even in spey/switch rods) as well. Again, thanks, Larry

[@micssticksnpipes]

Excellent advice. Going to try this out in the uk.

[@ozangler5642]

Hello from Australia, Our Victorian stream trout season opens in a few weeks time and the conditions will be much like you were showing. I'll be using the techniques you described. I'm enjoying and learning a lot from your videos. Plenty of good solid information and no BS. Cheers, Steve.

[@dong8307]

Very helpful content. Thanks Kelly. 👍

[@nathans.citybyforest]

Great advice. Thank you!

[@rickaldama9162]

Hey I enjoyed your video on highwater techniques for fly fishing . This was very helpful to me . l live in the high Rockies in Colorado where we lots or runoff water.Once more thank you for your video sincerely. Rick Aldama.

[@RETROSFLYTYINGCHANNEL]

Always informative mate cheers ...after drought being dominant in Australia for years The rain has finally hit the mountains where I fish , this info will help when targeting trout

[@twsdlbh]

Thank you, I'm going to try this either. Today or tomorrow.

[@daneward5051]

Just found your videos, enjoying technique talk and demonstration and results with trout bite.

[@ericstewart4732]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@leeblackburn5682]

Awesome info. I grew up not fishing high dirtier water because I was basically taught it was not fishable. Tried, for the first time, last year, here in Colorado on the Colorado River... I don't know that we saw another person in the multiple trips fishing the higher/dirtier flows but we absolutely killed it... easily had some of our best fishing days of the summer.

[@ralphsmith1191]

I’m booked for July 18-22, first trip and I’m so excited

[@therusfosterson238]

Great video. Thanks for the helpful information and clear presentation. Question: is it okay when releasing the fish to let it touch dry surfaces like dry hands or clothing? I’ve had people tell me this can remove the slime protecting the fish’s skin.

[@ocsteved]

....great stuff!

[@robertgalloup1747]

I just Love to fish High Dirty water here in Michigan. Great Steelhead and Brown action.

[@BcFuTw9jt]

Awesome info

[@TheSlideinn]

Your welcome, and thanks for watching

[@mdaley3102]

I watched your drop shot rig right before this video. It was nice to see you use it at your place. My wife and I stayed there a few years ago and had a blast. The question I have on the drop shot rig is do you use the tag end of the bottom fly with a knot in it to attach the split shot or tie a dropper piece. If you have another video with close-ups please point me to it. Thanks

[@smitty96161]

good tips, thanks

[@joesweeney7216]

I just got back from Big Timber the week before last. I wish I had seen this video before I went. The Yellowstone and Boulder were high and muddy. I didn't even attempt to fish.

[@NicolasGomez-dn3oy]

You got me thinking of all the times i didnt fish dirty water because it was too dirty😂 shit specially for the heavy rain we have been getting here in colombia all year long, the rainiest year in a looonng time

[@bigron8346]

THANK YOU

[@shanehertzog5812]

I like how you are fly fishing that river. I like your fly fishing shop Kelly.

[@charlieboutin3341]

I’ve got 2 questions 🙄Great information about high water, thanks. I’ve been fishing 40 years but new to flyfishing (in Tx). I’ve been catching lots of White bass this spring run and have always looked for backward running swirls or eddies with pretty good results. You mentioned not to. Do trout not like to turn opposite way in river? Im aware I’m fishing a spawn as compared to feeding fish where bass are using water to mix eggs & milt. 2nd question: I have 4,6 and 8 wt TFO rods, On a Calm day should a 4 wt rod cast as far as a 8 wt? Or should heaviest line always cast farther? Just curious. Sorry 4 long msg. Thanks for any advice 🎣

[@FlyFishinFrank]

I needed this! thank You and also thanks for showing the setup! Southern Ontario rarely has clear water.

[@Kevinh1998]

I have fished with lures my whole life on a spin rod. I gave that up mostly and I started using an ultra light rod and reel with marabou jigs and another type of fury jig. They are basically streamers tied onto a roundhead jig either 1/8 oz or 3/16 oz. I went over on the Green River during the runoff in the muddy water and caught so many dam fish I will never forget. I almost started to feel bad for them. I found your videos because I am thinking about using nymphs on a split shot rig with my spin rod below the dam in the swift bubbly water. I know there are huge fish down there but I am not sure if my jigs are getting deep enough and fast enough to where the big ones are.

[@andrewdeck4766]

Great tips! Very informative. Question: I recently came across a situation where I was on a deep clear medium slow pool about 10'-15' deep and there were a few big 5#-8# rainbows on the bottom but I could not figure out how to make them eat... I tried sculpin streamers, green size 12 copper johns, wooly buggers... And only got a few looks on the copper john but no takes. How would you recommend approaching this situation for success??? It was very frustrating to say the least.

[@jimmyboycapitals24]

Match the hatch

[@paulfortier5667]

Great video Kelly. As far as nymphing goes, most waters in my area are single barbless hooks. We cannot run droppers. What size or is it just trial and error for picking your fly.

[@TheSlideinn]

I match the size of the flies to the size of the most prolific insect that is in the area, and then it is just a matter of finding the fly they prefer which is simple trial and error. Thanks for watching Paul, Kelly

[@khawarmanzoor4703]

Lovely video needed this badly😍 What rod was with the streamer?

[@michaeldiseria7297]

I would love to know too, not a fan of cork:(

[@buckshot2280]

I'm gonna try the big muddy this year.

[@rodneystock8595]

What type of action (and weight) in fly rod do you prefer for streamer fishing? Why? Thanks. Great videos. Keep them coming.

[@TheSlideinn]

We generally fish a fast action 6wt or 7wt. Having the faster action rods allow you to turn over those bigger flies and animate them more effectively. Glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@TheSlideinn]

I don't have a set number of cast , just when I know the fish has gotten a good look and the drift was good I will move on or change flies. Too many cast generally ends up snagging the fish , either they eat the good drift with the right fly or they don't, sitting there for a hundred cast generally just gets them to wear it not eat it. I snag very little with a drop shot style and when I do I simply lose the lead. KG

[@justin1979ify]

TheSlideinn , do you ever swing your fly down stream in high water and retrieve next to the bank? Is there any disadvantage to this approach vs casting up stream? Thanks in advance

[@royschmoll]

Do you ever fish in bigger water? I am interested in more bass fishing with the fly rod. I wouldn't mind seeing some tips on this.

[@99problemsbutafishaintone35]

This guy is the Don Johnson of the fly fishing world.

[@jeanbeaulieu6543]

Hey Kelly, Great video and tips, we never seems to learn... Is egg sucking leech only good for streaming or can you still do it in a dropshot nymphing? Johhny

[@TheSlideinn]

Johnny You can drop shot most bugger style streamers with pretty good success. KG

[@ipod1978]

Great video guys. How do you guys treat your fly lines when in the off season. Do you hang them? Secondly for new lines, stretched my new 6wt floating line twice now and so far it’s kept nice and straight yet a buddy of mine purchased the exact same line, same company, same weight etc but his continues to keep some coil memory even with a stretch .... or 5. He tends to hang his lines after every outing from the tip right through to his backing on a purposely built padded fly line hook with approximately 5-6’ of line hanging either side. Could this be a defective line?

[@TheSlideinn]

Jr, I dont stretch my lines or really store them other than on the reels. If I think they are coiling I will give it a little pull thru my hand but not to hard, just enough to put a little heat and small stretch. I am guessing your buddy over stretched his line and broke the adhesion between the core and the coating now it is coiling worse that out of the box. i see guys do that a lot. Not likely its defective but possible. KG

[@ipod1978]

TheSlideinn Gentleman cheers Kelly.

[@jeraanderson8173]

Is there anything you'd do differently in high water fishing for river smallmouth? I live on the Clinch River in Northeast TN and this is our typical muddy/high water season. I know when it turns colder, they tend to school up in the deeper holes (that I can't get to) but do they move out to feed during these high water events? Would working those soft water seams with a streamer pick up a few fish? Thanks.

[@JackCreekRoad]

I realize this is an older video, but I'm wondering what you would guessimate the flow of the river in the video to be at? Thank you for sharing!

[@kellygalloup6073]

JC , it was big, 28 to 3k. KG

[@erikmccleery7463]

Hey kelly, I live in utah and right now the weather Is pretty unpredictable, do weather or water temperature change anything if it gets really cold after a warm week and there is still a lot of runoff?

[@morsi3072]

Awesome video. Hey kelly I know you're a big streamer fanatic and I was wondering if you would do a video on fishing deep runs with different weighted leaders from like say 3-7ips using one of your bigger streamers such as your sex dungeons. I live by some pretty big wyoming water so that would be pretty helpful to see how you walk your streamers along the bottom in deep, steady current hunting big browns. Thanks

[@ronwilliams8500]

Kelly in high water situations what size shot and how many do you use?

[@termite122]

do u use floro or nylon? do u tie a knot above your shot to keep it from flinging off? i know for me floro will not hold shot cause its so hard,,i prefer nylon myself..even with a knot above your shot i think you would still not lose your flies even if u get hung up..thnx

[@tooter1able]

Do you limit the number of casts in that kind of water? Do you snag a lot?

[@bevillenz]

Kelly, what sort of rod (wt and length) are you using for your nymphing setup in this video?

[@TheSlideinn]

10 foot 4 weight High Stick Drifter, St.Croix. Thanks for watching, Kelly

[@EthanLeib]

Are you using an indicator on that nymph rig?

[@TheSlideinn]

No just tight lining. KG

[@allanness2846]

Ethan Leib check nymph set up ?

[@swishfourtwo]

Very interesting on the nymph rig, I typically use a 3 fly system where I just tie them about a foot apart each to the bend of the hook. I've never seen this setup before, would you recommend switching to it?

[@scycosnake3964]

Is that clear line, and ive heard its harder to cast. I normally spon fish but am starting out fly fishing but i dont pay attention to the line to make accurate casts. Would you reccomend clear line for beginers?

[@TheSlideinn]

Scyco No it is a 200 gr sinking line, with a black front end. Usually clear lines are intermediate sink lines that are generally lake lines that don't sink very fast. Best to start with a line you can see, doesn't have to be super bright but that is ok too, just helps you see the loops forming or where your line is hitting until your used to it. Thanks for watching, Kelly

[@erniewalker5050]

hey Kelly what's a good nymphing set up? rod wt and length? thank you.

[@TheSlideinn]

10 foot 4 wt. High Stick Drifter.

[@erniewalker5050]

thank you for the info. I don't know anybody that enjoys watching you more than myself. you're like the professor of fly-fishing!!! also would that be the St. Croix model? thank you again.

[@TheSlideinn]

Thanks Ernie, glad you dig them. Yes its a St Croix . KG

[@jakesarnicola3508]

Is it at all possible that you could make a tutorial for making leaders ?

[@TheSlideinn]

Ny I can look into it, any type you are looking for? KG

[@laxslacker]

I have to remind myself that my PA waterways just don't have the volume of fish or biomass like our western waters. It's absurd how many fish are in these rivers

[@JP-dz7zu]

The biggest trout in PA come from marginal waters with lower biomass. High biomass usually equals lots of average sized fish.

[@petermelle6634]

@@JP-dz7zu not true

[@JP-dz7zu]

@@petermelle6634 bet I’ve caught more 20+” wild trout in this state than you have. Believe what you wish.

[@petermelle6634]

@@JP-dz7zu I don't doubt your ability to catch large fish 20+" wild trout, but the statement "The biggest trout in PA come from marginal waters with lower biomass. High biomass usually equals lots of average sized fish." simply is not true, nor did you provide any evidence to substantiate your claims.

[@JP-dz7zu]

@@petermelle6634 it’s been proven through research papers I’ve read on the subject and from my personal experiences backs it up. Good water quality with a ton of bug life makes conditions for a lot of trout. Lots of trout competing equates smaller fish. I can go out to huge rivers out west like the Yellowstone and Madison and catch hundreds of 8”-16” trout, but relatively few monsters. In Those marginal waters, only the strong survive. Low biomass means they get aggressive and eat creek chubs, crayfish,mice, and smaller trout. Fewer fish, but more hogs. 40 years of fishing experience has proved this out.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

Fishing can be great due to that mid stream flow being so fast and crowding the fish to the edges. Those fish are gonna be glued to that bank so *sneak up on them*

[@accutil]

How does your technique change for nymph/streamer fishing from a boat. Any changes with your gear?

[@TheSlideinn]

+accutil I don't nymph much from the boat but when I do I will sometimes use an indicator because I tend to cast further than I would on foot, I still drop shot it though. Streamers from the boat is almost all straight across stream or slightly up stream. No real gear changes though. KG

[@jjod4858]

What kind of knot do I tie on the tippet, so I can attach a loop dropper above the knot???? Send me the flies :)

[@TheSlideinn]

Perfection loop or a any none slip loop knot. Thanks, Kelly

[@springteen3743]

That is a real augly

[@tinoyb9294]

It's February now. The sound of the birds singing is killing me.

[@MontanaMet]

Belichick or Harbough

[@MontanaMet]

2

[@imaxfli]

Did u see him remove the "foul-hooked" fly from the rainbow, Thats what happens when you use a dropper, the non-taken fly frequently wraps around the fish and can give it leverage to break the tippet. I've never used a dropper in my life, 1 nymph at a time has always produced for me.....

[@tinoyb9294]

A- freaking-men!

[@brucederington1840]

Drop shotting hear in Michigan streams , I dont think so

[@MontanaMet]

Y

[@MontanaMet]

F

[@ROCKDOGFULLMOVIE]

so pinkish face.... cute men

[@arsenghasabyan2141]

Too noisy; barely can understand what he is saying. Also, rather than showing ruining water for 13 minutes you would rather spend a minute or two to show the flies used close up.