Spring Runoff Solved: Tim Cammisa's Tactics for Success

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"Beating the Blowout" Tactics for Fly Fishing During Spring Runoff

by Guest Author, Tim Cammisa. 

For fly fishers, spring brings a sense of new beginnings, especially for the rivers trout call home. Along the banks, vegetation welcomes new colors and grows rapidly. Insect life increases, and anglers will soon be chasing mayfly, caddisfly, and stonefly hatches. For trout, that bug life rings a dinner bell, signaling it’s time to waken from their winter drowsiness. But with this comes a challenge for anglers, spring runoff!

Ask a fly fisher to paint a picture of spring runoff, you’ll get images of high and muddy unwadeable water. In short, time to start golfing until the water drops, right? Absolutely not! Spring runoff is a challenge, but with the right tactics, fly selection, and gear, you can adapt and turn this into a successful time of year to target trout.

Location matters this time of year, both when wading and fishing out of a drift boat. The latter allows you to fish nooks and crannies close to the edge, perfect holding spots for trout in high water. (Photo by Black Mountain Cinema)

Understanding Spring Runoff

Depending on your location in the US, the source of spring runoff can vary. In the east, runoff is driven by rainfall and some low-elevation snowmelt. Runoff season in the east tends to occur first, beginning in March or April. In the west, the runoff is dominated by snowmelt; the timing and volume of water depend on the amount of snowpack for that season. Western runoff occurs later in the spring, with a peak in May or June.

The impact on rivers is obvious, with an increase in water levels and currents. The snowpack continues to melt, lowering the river temperature. As the high water continues, there is erosion of the bank and substrate, frequently causing the water to become off-color. With these changes, a natural question asked by anglers is simple: What happens to the trout at this time?

Targeting Trout During Spring Runoff

My mentor Charlie Heathcote used to repeat this phrase during high water, “If you can cut it with a knife, you can fish it!” However, Charlie was intentional on the specific spots he targeted during runoff. The increase in water tends to push trout in two directions: Towards the edges and into safe locations behind structure. Don’t expect to see trout sipping dry flies with so much water pushing down. Yet trout must feed and do so in water types where they don’t have to expel too much energy. So where are the hot spots you should focus when fly fishing during runoff?

Success this time of year means targeting softer water, especially protected nooks and crannies along the bank and eddies. When wading by foot, I prefer to walk the bank, fishing close to the edge. A key in fly fishing is reading water, and continue to focus on seams, spots where fast and slow water meet. At their convergence, trout sit in the slow water, using less energy. However, they target the seam knowing that insects and other food are carried to that spot.

Look for braids of the river that are typically shallow; during high water, the depth may be ideal. Trout seek refuge behind structures, so be on the lookout for holding spots. When you see boulders, a logjam, or any obstruction that breaks the current, cast downstream of that location. Trout will hug the substrate, or river bottom, but target them here with caution (and extra tippet!) knowing you will sacrifice some flies when they snag on rocks, sticks, and other debris found there.

Flies and Gear!

Now to the fun stuff, which flies should I use? Before we get there, let’s focus on some essential gear for spring. Grab your favorite fly rod for trout, though I tend to go one size heavier in the spring. Many anglers upsize when chasing larger species, though my decision is dictated when fishing in inclement weather and throwing larger flies. During high water, fish rarely spook because of line hitting the water, even if you’re adding a sink-tip to get a deeper presentation. Is the 9’ 5-weight your standard rod? Then consider a 6-weight for runoff season.

During runoff, reliable drag is critical. Lamson’s sealed drag systems stay smooth even when wading through silty, fast water, and they’re available on the Drift West site (check out the collection, here). Though wet wading is great during warmer water, go with chest-high breathable waders that allow you to access more spots. Finally, waterproof gear is welcome during rainy season; consider a waterproof backpack, vest, or hip pack to ensure everything you bring stays dry. Are we at flies yet?

Yes, we made it to recommended flies! With more flow, flies must get the attention of fish, so an obvious first choice is a flashy streamer with added weight. When fishing in off-colored water, take a page from competition anglers; I interviewed many of today’s top fly fishers for my new book, Tying Euro Nymphs, and they preferred to both increase the fly size and go with a darker fly color. Patterns like black Woolly Buggers and stonefly imitations fish well during the runoff, as their strong profile helps fish identify them during the drift and retrieve.

Don’t forget about junk, the flies anglers love to hate. Mop flies and egg patterns are great choices, but worms reign supreme when high water dislodges them from their homes in the bank. Many fly fishers shy away from patterns like the San Juan Worm and Squirmy Wormy but remember you’re matching the hatch with so many annelids in the system. Finally, find out from local fly shops if there is a specific hatch, pattern, or color that excels during the runoff. During time spent in Wyoming, a local guide shared that purple flies outperformed others, he was right and his advice kept our rods bent throughout the trip!

Final Thoughts

Being prepared for runoff is critical for success, and this includes the techniques you employ on the water. Your goal is to keep the flies in front of fish for as long as possible, and high-sticking and tightlining methods when nymphing tend to outperform using a strike indicator in high and fast water. Slow down your streamer retrieve, giving fish the opportunity to both see the fly and commit to the strike. Think “slow down” when fishing during runoff season, and that subtle shift pays big dividends.

Most importantly, stay positive and take advantage of runoff season on your local waters. One early morning, after I had poured a fresh coffee, a quick check to the USGS website verified that the water I planned to fish that day was still running high. As I sulked around for a bit and finished the coffee, my expectations wavered, and I contemplated all the other things I could do that day besides fly fishing in high water. Luckily, I stuck with my original game plan, and using the methods shared in this blog, had a memorable day on the water, catching some of my largest fish of the season on streamers. In short, don’t skip runoff season, just change the playbook and the fish will follow.

About our guest author, Tim Cammisa

Tim Cammisa, the force behind "Trout and Feather," has dedicated over a decade to producing educational fly-tying and fly-fishing videos, enriching enthusiasts worldwide. With a background as a seasoned fly-fishing guide and teacher, Tim is a sought-after presenter and tier at prestigious events like The Fly Fishing Show and International Fly Tying Symposium, as well as club gatherings nationwide.

His passion for angling transcends borders, leading fly fishing trips to coveted destinations like Iceland, Alaska, and Montana. Tim’s first book, Fly Tying for Everyone, covers a wide range of topics essential for mastering the art of fly tying, including materials, tools, techniques, and patterns. Tim’s second book, Tying Euro Nymphs and Other Competition Favorites, released January 2025, focused on the most popular patterns in Euro nymphing. An instant success, this book is now in its third printing in less than six months.

Tim resides in Harmony, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Heather, and their children, Angelo and Fina.