A Sight Fishing Story With Kory

By: Harlan Kimball 

We're back at it again with our own Kory Lewis as we follow him around a Colorado tailwater that offers some of the best sight fishing opportunities around. We know sight fishing can be a tricky skill to dial in, so read along as we share some tips and tricks to utilize next time you're out on the river. 

It's safe to say we got our steps in getting to the river.  

When it comes to sight fishing take some time to dial in a confidence rig for yourself. During low winter flows we find it's best to stay away from flashy beadhead patterns. A beadhead nymph will easily spook fish in low/clear water compared to something like a natural Pheasant Tail or a RS2 Dun. 

Weight is also a factor that should be heavily considered when sight fishing. On this trip Kory used little to no weight on his nymph rig, the reason being Kory wanted his rig to land softly, and drift as natural as possible in shallow/clear water. 

Kory pulled up to the first run with fish already waiting for him. Things like this typically happen when fishing with Kory. 

Notice Kory's positioning... Standing downstream and away from the feeding trout. It's best to position yourself behind the trout and cast upstream toward them. This will help you get the best possible drift and hookset.  

SMITH Guides Choice and the Lid Rig in their element. 

Copper was the lens choice for the day. Colors like amber, copper, and brown are great all-purpose lenses that will perform across a spectrum of water types, depths, and light levels.

Kory finds a couple fish feeding on the bank...

Always remember to yell RISER when a rising trout is seen. This won't annoy your fishing buddies at all. 

 Sight fishing is all about patience and attention to detail. I like to observe more than I'm actually fishing. Taking the time to watch a feeding trout's behavior will allow you to learn more about how and what the fish is eating. 

The colors of tailwater trout never disappoint. This one was fooled with a gray RS2 #22 suspended in the middle of the water column. 

Kory lays one out all stealthy like in the Simms camo waders.

It's best to avoid loud and bright colors sight fishing. Wearing more natural colors (olives, browns and camo) will allow you to get in a better position without spooking or putting down a feeding fish. 

A quick scoop...

and a quick look. 

A size #20 Natural Pheasant Tail did the trick. 

Moving on.

Fish were becoming more challenging to spot due to the lighting. Ideally, you want a high sun at your back for sighting fish. The sun was beginning to fall behind the mountains, so we began to blind cast into places we knew fish were holding from earlier in the day. 

We were hungry, the trout seemed full. We packed it up, cracked a beer, and headed back.

Thanks for reading, so long! 

- Harlan Kimball