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The Importance Of Presentation (9 of 12)

Video Transcript:

Presentation requirements for lakes differ from rivers or streams. First of all, the fish moves, and the water doesn't. Still water trout are almost constantly cruising. Rod tips must be low, or in many instances stabbed into the water to ensure a straight line connection between you and your fly, so you don't miss takes. The success in your presentation typically does not rest in the fly you choose, but the depth you present it at, and the manner in which you move or retrieve your fly through the water.

There we go! Fish on, fish on. This is a nice rainbow, nice rainbow. And this just shows the value of the still water retrieves. Unlike rivers, you don't have the current flow to animate your flies. You have to do it with your hands, so once we land this fish, I'm going to show you some of the retrieves you need to know to be successful on lakes. Nice fish, this is a good rainbow. He's coming in to me now. He could bolt quickly, and I'll have my fly line under my feet, and bad things will happen. We'll part company, and we'll break off, and lose a fly. But he's tired.

He's showing his sides, and he's ready to net. But I don't chase him. Usually they'll have one last run before they come to the boat. And there we go, a beautiful still water rainbow. Still water fish can get big, full of energy, which is good. So, to hold a still water fish, you don't want to squeeze it. Just support it gently, just like that. He'll calm down. Give him a drink, make sure his gills are wet. Look at how calm he stays. When fish struggle, it's because typically, you're gripping them too tight, and they don't like it, so they'll fight you back. So, we'll admire that, we'll hold him up, and we'll let him go.

You don't have to pull him back and forth, just look at his gills. He's recovering, the water's nice and cool, well-oxygenated, and when he's ready, he'll just swim out of your hands. Let him fight a bit, and off he goes. There you go. You can't beat still waters.