"Mastering Deep Water Tactics: Catching Trout at 20, 30, and 40 Feet"

Episode 12: How to Effectively Fish Deep Water for Trout

Welcome back to The Stillwater Edge! Today, we’re unlocking the secrets to deep water fly fishing—how to catch trout at 20, 30, even 40 feet down.

Fishing deep water requires patience, the right gear, and strategic presentations. In this episode, I’ll cover:
✔ Why trout move to deep water
✔ The gear you need to reach them
✔ How to control depth and keep your flies in the strike zone
✔ The best fly patterns and retrieves for deep water

If you want to consistently catch trout in deeper zones, this episode will help you develop the right skills and techniques to do it effectively.

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Key Takeaways:

Why Do Trout Move to Deep Water?

• Cooler Water – Trout thrive in cold water, and as surface temps rise, they seek the thermocline at deeper levels.
• Oxygen-Rich Zones – Deep water provides more stable oxygen levels, especially during warm months.
• Food Sources – Trout still find plenty to eat, including zooplankton, chironomids, scuds, leeches, and baitfish.
• Protection from Predators – Staying deep keeps trout safe from loons, eagles, and other threats.

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The Right Gear for Deep Water Success

✔ Full Sink Fly Line – A must-have for reaching depths of 20 to 40+ feet. Choose a Type 3 to Type 7 sinking line based on how fast you need to get down.
✔ Short Leaders (4–9 feet) – A shorter leader keeps your fly in the strike zone and allows better strike detection.
✔ Weighted and Unweighted Flies – Full sink lines will drag unweighted patterns like scuds and leeches down to feeding depth.

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How to Get Your Fly to the Right Depth

✔ Use a Depth Sounder (If Available) – Mark fish holding near the bottom and adjust your countdown method.
✔ Countdown System (Without a Sounder) – A simple method: 10 seconds = 1 foot down. If fish are at 40 feet, count to 40 before retrieving.
✔ Keep Your Fly in the Strike Zone – Slow retrieves help keep your fly at depth longer, increasing your chances of a strike.

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Best Flies for Deep Water Trout

🎯 Proven Patterns:
✔ Chronomids (Unweighted & Beadhead) – Fish slow and deep using a steady retrieve.
✔ Leeches & Boobies – A deadly searching pattern in deep water.
✔ Baitfish Streamers & Woolly Buggers – Great for aggressive trout chasing baitfish.
✔ Washing Line Rig (Advanced Technique) – Perfect for suspending flies at different depths.

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How to Retrieve Flies in Deep Water

✔ Slow, Steady Retrieves – Mimics natural movement of leeches and pupae.
✔ Short Strips (2–4 inches) – A great way to work scuds, blobs, and leeches along the bottom.
✔ Roly Poly Retrieve – A faster, aggressive retrieve for triggering strikes from chasing trout.

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Call to Action (CTA):

Fishing deep water is a skill that takes patience, but the payoff is big fish that most anglers miss.

Try these deep water tactics and let me know how they work for you!

• What’s your go-to deep water fly? DM me on Instagram (@stillwateredge) and share your success.
• Subscribe to The Stillwater Edge so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a review and tell me what topics you want to hear next!

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Episode Outro:

That’s a wrap for today’s episode! Deep water fly fishing isn’t just about casting and hoping—it’s about understanding where trout hold, using the right gear, and dialing in your retrieve.

With the right setup and a bit of patience, you’ll unlock a whole new world of Stillwater fishing.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, subscribe, leave a review, and follow me on Instagram (@stillwateredge). I’d love to hear about your deep water fishing experiences and what’s working for you.

Until next time, tight lines and happy fishing!