Tip of the Week / / Let the Rise Tell You the Fly

Learning to Read the Rise

One of the most intuitive and rewarding ways to choose the right dry fly isn’t by digging through your fly box—it’s by simply watching how the trout rise. The surface of the water is full of clues, and trout behavior can give you a very good idea of what fly they are eating.

This is one of the core skills we teach in our Fishalong Courses at Red's Fly Shop—and it's something every angler, especially those learning to fish dry flies, should practice intentionally. If you slow down and observe, you’ll start to notice patterns in the way fish eat. These patterns are windows into their feeding preferences. Let’s break it down:

The Sip: Small, Subtle, and Selective

If you see a trout quietly poking its nose through the surface with a gentle, almost imperceptible sip, it’s likely feeding on mayflies or spinners. These bugs sit flush in the film and require small, low-profile patterns like parachutes or CDC comparaduns. Think subtle and precise.

The Splash: Aggressive and Confident

A splashy rise is a giveaway that the fish is chasing a Caddis, or eating a larger fly like a Stonefly or Terrestrial. These insects move more on the water, skating or bouncing around, and trigger a more enthusiastic eat. Use flies with movement and size: elk hair caddis, stimulators, or hoppers. These takes are usually visual and dramatic—and a blast to fish.

The Flash or Tail Flick: Feeding Just Below

Sometimes you’ll catch a flash under the surface or see a back or tail break through without the full rise. This is classic emerger behavior. The fish are targeting insects in the transition from nymph to adult. Try a soft hackle, CDC emerger, or an unweighted wet fly fished just beneath the surface—often on a dropper below a dry.

Observation = Confidence

Learning to read rise forms gives you a huge advantage. Instead of guessing, you’re responding to what the fish are telling you. It’s a more connected, intentional way to fish—and it works. These are the same tactics we emphasize in our on-the-water dry fly clinics and river education courses at Red's.

So next time you hit the river, take a moment to stop and watch. The trout are already showing you what they want. The more you practice this, the more natural it becomes.

Want to learn more about reading rise forms, matching the hatch, and building confidence with dry flies? Join us for a course this season and let our team help you sharpen these essential skills.

Stay tuned for more spring fly fishing insights, and get ready for some exciting days ahead!

We teach these techniques and more through our various courses in our University of Fly Fishing.

UPCOMING COURSES TO HIGHLIGHT 

There are a ton of offerings currently and the fishing has been stellar with the fish off the spawn and "HANGRY!"  All of these offerings can be accessed in the course calendar. Don't miss our Annual Red's Rendezvous this Saturday, May 17th.  There will be something for everyone at this amazing event.

• Saturday, May 17th, Red's Rendezvous 
• Sunday, May 18th, Fly Fishing 201, 12pm
• Sunday, May 18th, Yakima River Fishalong 1pm
• Tuesday, May 20th, Trout Spey Fishalong, 9am
• Tuesday, May 20th, Yakima Fishalong, 2pm
• Wednesday, May 21st, Personal Watercraft Fishalong, 10am 
• Thursday, May 22nd, Trout Taxi (Upper Yakima Ensign to Bullfrog) 11am

ENTIRE COURSE CALENDAR HERE 

Our University of Fly Fishing is the most unique, comprehensive fly fishing education available.