The Do's and Don't's of Fly Fishing in Low Water Conditions

As many of you, I am a hardcore angler who loves to be on the water. No matter the weather, season or time of day, you can find me somewhere chasing fish. But what happens when the water get so low, even the most thoughtful fisherman don't fish? Well, that is a very good question; the answer lies in the ethics of what you are doing. 

The Main Southwest Miramichi at drought level

Low grassy section of the St. Mary's River

Let's start by saying this is not fact, or true for all instances... It all comes down to ethics and education. Is catch and releasing this fish going to be successful, is the water much too warm, are they near spawning? The list goes on. Low water brings unusually warm water conditions for streams; holding pools become the other refuge for large fish, making them easy targets. But during these low water conditions these large pools only have one real source of dissolved oxygen (D.O.) : the riffle or run coming in. This source is depleted of oxygen due to water temperature and reduced flow from upstream. Many of the fish within the pool will be resting close to the inflow.  How ethical is it to fight a fish in slow water when the required water quality is not adequate for non-stressed survival? 

Rocky Brook during low summer flow

It all comes down to where the water source is coming from, how high you are in the system, how long you fight the fish, and what you do with it after it's in the net. Let's start with the don'ts...

Don't fish in streams with a shallow slope. This leads to low oxygen water from lack of flow and oxygen added through rapids and falls.

Don't fish for fish who are resting in cold water refuges, as their last resort at survival.

Don't fish during mid-day to afternoon hours, this is when the water temperature is the highest and D.O. at it's lowest.

Don't fish lower in the river system as water temperatures are usually much higher; than their headwaters.

Don't fish in streams with tea-stained water, these streams are quite warm due to the sun absorbing into the dark surface.

Dark, slow moving tea stained water late August

Don't fight fish for extended periods of time, use your rod and get the fish in quickly. Depleting its energy in low-oxygenated waters is a big no, no.

Don't take the fish out of the water for an extended length of time.

Don't take six or seven photos of the fish, four or five feet from the water..

Don't fish large, gaudy flies, you'll not have much luck during the day.

Okay, now that I've made you feel bad if you've done these things. We all have done them in one way shape or form. Either that, or I've angered you enough that you have left the page in distaste. On to the Do's; again this is my opinion, feel free to disagree. #troutlivesmatter though... 

Do practice proper catch and release methods, wet hands and barbless hooks.

Do revive the fish properly, facing upstream in flowing water.

Low Water on the West Branch St. Mary's River

Do your honest and best effort to ensure the fishes survival after it's left your hands.

Do exercise thought into where, how and what species you are fishing.

Do use a net if you want to take photos, leaving the fish in the net (in the water) while you set up the camera is best.

Large Minipi Brook Trout

Do know your limit, when you've caught 10 fish in one area; maybe it is time to move on to the next spot. Give that pod a break.

Do use small hooks, this will not only improve your fishing success, but will also increase survival in released fish.

Do fish streams that are fed by springs and do not have a lot of standing water in their headwaters (i.e. lakes, swamps and bogs).

Do fish in tidal water, you never know what will be lurking in your favourite river's estuary.

Do fish in the evening, but preferably morning; you'll have your most success and the fish have the highest rate of survival. D.O. goes up as water cools down through the night.

Do the fish a favour, and when conditions are just not favourable for survival; leave them well alone.

Stream of high slope in high water vs. low water conditions

There are some more that I could add, but those are some of the most important ones many anglers should know before they get their fishing fix during low water conditions. I hope you enjoyed, learned something or at least had some kind of reaction to my words. If you agree, protest or are neutral feel free to leave a comment and share with you friends.

Thanks for reading,