September 18, 2020

TIPS, TRICKS, AND PICS: AFTERNOON STREAMERS WITH GUIDE CAM CARLSON

By: Harlan Kimball

Autumn means a lot of things to a lot of people. It could be a change in foliage, the anticipation of ski season, or pumpkin spice lattes. Whatever it is, for some us it means throwing streamers into a body of water and wanting something big, angry, and colorful to take a bite. We spent a day with guide Cam Carlson throwing streamers and taking in the views. Check out the pictures, tips and tricks below...

First selection of the day included the white/olive Barely Legal with the black Sex Dungeon on deck                 

After a few casts Cam strip set into an Eagle River rainbow. Rod tip low and a strong strip set, great form kid 

Cam put the wood to it, allowing for a quick catch and release. Streamer fishing means you can use heavier leader/tippet material (0x-2x). Meaning you dont have play the fish as much compared to if you were nymphing/dry fly fishing.  

Contrary to popular belief, rainbow trout do eat streamers folks.

After working the run with streamers, Cam grabbed his hopper/dropper rig and fished the pockets and riffle drops. He hooked into a nice one but...

lost him right at the net. C'mon man! 

We worked a couple more runs with the Barely Legal streamer and found some classic Eagle River brown trout. 

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Fishing started to slow down a bit, so we decided to change spots and move downstream. It's imporant to remember to keep things moving and find new water. Don't stay in one place for too long, fish will lose interest in your streamer after just a few casts. 

Take your time streamer fishing. Soak in the views, create a plan, and move slow. Rushing down to the river and hucking a streamer will not improve your chances at moving fish.

Cam noticed a short section of undercut banks on the close side of the river. 

These banks are ideal locations for predatory fish to hide and ambush their food... 

An undercut reward on the Barely Legal.       

Cam plays his last fish of the day while the sun drops behind the pines. These low light conditions can turn streamer fishing from good to really really good. 

Thats all from us, so long!