When I really started experimenting with different methods of fly fishing, everything changed. I used to be like a lot of anglers — I had my confidence patterns, my comfort zones, my “ride or die” flies. But once I truly gave all three basic disciplines their fair shake — dry flies, nymphing, and streamers — I realized something simple but game-changing:
Every method has its time.
Every method has its place.
And the river will tell you which one it wants — if you’re willing to listen.
Learning to Adapt (Whether You Want to or Not)
One of the first times this really clicked for me was on the Crowsnest. Evening light, barely any bugs around. I started with streamers because, well… I always start with streamers if I can get away with it. Nothing. Not even a chase.
So, I switched to indicator nymphing.
And just like that — fish.
That wasn’t luck. That was the river saying, “Try something else, dumb dumb.”
And I listened.
The Moment Everything Changed for Me
My real “aha moment” came on my first ever guided trip — the first time the client was relying on me to get it right.
Forecast said sun and high pressure. Perfect cutthroat weather. I pictured a full day of big bushy dries and aggressive eats.
Nope.
We showed up to a low-pressure system sitting right over the valley. Flat light. Heavy air and hard enough rain to stall out the expected mayfly hatch. If I didn’t know how to rig nymphs properly — or worse, if I had stubbornly refused to switch — the day would’ve been a disaster.
Instead, I re-rigged, switched the plan, and within an hour the old fella had half a dozen cutties to hand. The sun eventually broke through and we moved to dries later, but the day was already saved because we adapted early.
That was the moment I realized:
Versatility isn’t just about catching more fish — it’s about being a prepared, aware angler.
Listening to the Water
Listening is the most underrated skill in fly fishing.
We all rely on our eyes — watching for rises, watching our drift, watching the structure — but sound gives you information long before you see it.
- A gentle sip tells you they’re eating emergers.
- A smack tells you they’re chasing something.
- A splash in the corner of your ear pulls your eyes to a seam you weren’t even considering.
When nothing rises at all, the water is still talking — through runs, structure, undercuts, changes in speed. Most times I hear a fish before I see one. Listening helps.
Why Anglers Hesitate to Switch (Including Me)
Most anglers want to be versatile. They just get stuck.
Confidence is a big part of it. Ego is another. But honestly?
A lot of anglers simply don’t want to re-rig.
It feels like wasted time. It feels like a missed opportunity.
But here’s the reality:
If a fish is actively feeding, it isn’t going to stop while you change your setup for 10 minutes.
I’m guilty too. I love me some Sparkle Minnow. I know it catches fish. Sometimes I stay in the streamer lane longer than I should — especially when I’m hunting for a big one. But being honest with myself about that has made me a better angler.
My Go-To Changes When the Bite Slows Down
I adjust based on what the river has shown me:
- Big morning hatch that dies off?
I swing to streamers. - Nothing happening early?
Deep, slow, systematic searching. - Good ripple at the head of a pool but no surface action?
That’s nymphing territory. - Riffled water holding fish deep?
Drop-shot nymphing is my slump buster.
Versatility expands your skill set — and honestly, it’s fun as hell to problem-solve on the fly.
The Mindset Side of Versatility
If I could teach a new angler one thing about adapting, it wouldn’t be knots or casting or fly selection.
It would be this:
Control your mindset.
Expectation kills more fishing days than weather ever will.
People hop out of the truck assuming they’re about to crush fish. But no matter how much you paid, where you fish, or how fancy your tackle is — nothing is guaranteed.
When it starts going sideways, be versatile with your attitude.
Forget the fishing for a minute. Look around. Reset.
Fish feed off positivity. And so do people.
My own mantra when a day gets tough?
“Give them what they want.”
The Myth That Drives Me Crazy
That fly fishing is “too hard.”
It’s not. It’s unfamiliar, that’s all.
You need maybe four or five knots and the willingness to try something new. That’s it.
The difficult part isn’t the fishing — it’s getting past the fear of looking like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Final Thought
Versatility on the water isn’t about being flashy or technical.
It’s about being open, paying attention and letting the river tell you what it wants — and being humble enough to listen.
Some days, the fish are selective.
Some days, they’re wild.
Some days, they make you earn it.
But every day on the water gives you a chance to learn something new…
as long as you’re willing to change.
