When flyfishing, do you prefer to work upstream or down, and why?

Answer 1

you're supposed to work your way upstream because the fish are facing upstream (against the current) so they won't see you approach. going downstream is definitely easier though.

Answer 2

Upsteam, first when you accidentally kick up bottom, it wont go twords the areas you have not fished yet. Second, when have you seen most insects swim upstream. Third there is less noise from your flyline not having to strip it against the current. Fourth, god forbid you slip, you wont go over areas you have not fished and scare the fish. Fifth, if the fish runs downstream, which they usually do, he wont scare the others. Also at the end of the day its easier to go down then up. There are alot of other reasons, but I think that is a good start.

Answer 3

I prefer to work upstream. and this is why.
1) scent travels down stream so if you have a bad odor on your hip waders you wont spook the whole streem.
2) sound travels down stream further and faster than it does upstream(trust me it does though this sounds strange)If you trip or stumble then this will spook fewer fish.
3)Casting upstream and across then allowing the fly to drift downstream twards you improves the life like presentation of the fly.(mimicing a bug caught in the waters current) hard to do while casting down streem and peeling line @the right speed (fish know how fast currents are and if something is going to fast or slow when it should be drifting they know it)

There are soooo many books on this subject (I think fly fishing is second to the bible...LOL...) you local library or fly shop should cary some good ones.

Answer 4

upstream cause u can keep ur fly in the fish view for a longer time and its easier to get ur fly in front of the fish
also, if u have trouble casting, its easier to let the line float down in the current!!
stir up some rocks upstream and some insects will float downstream possibly making the fish start to feed
GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 5

When you work upstream your lure will be coming downstream the way other things the fish eat will be going.
It is always best to present your lure/bait in the most natural way.

It also keeps you from muddying the water.

Answer 6

i prefer to work my way up. a lot of times fish will lay in the bottom of the hole in the shallow tail-out section because they don't have to move as much to get what is floating towards them.
sometimes the terrain dictates the approach to the piece of water you are fishing and have to settle for starting at the top.

Answer 7

Up stream,that way your fly has a longer float time and covers more distance.

Answer 8

Depends on what you are doing, and where you are fishing.