Scouting a river, it's worth taking the time

    The alarm clock went off at 5am. The first glimpse of daylight was starting to show. I grabbed my coffee and hit the road. Today was indeed about fly fishing but there was more to it this time. The plan for the day was to help a couple of friends from out of the area learn a river that I frequently fish. It's one thing to look at a river on a map, it's another thing to fish it for the first time. We often see a river on a map or drive by one and wonder what it's like to fish it. Sometimes you can pull up and just start fishing other times you are faced with real challenges. Posted property, water depths, and even parking can stand in your way. So what is a person to do when they find water they want to try to fish? My recomendation, scout it first. Yes, I know, this can take up valuable time for someone that is limited by days off of work or family obligations. But, taking an extra day to really look over the water can pay back year after year. However, before you decide to scout new water let me help you with a few things to look for so your scouting time is well spent.

1. Parking - Parking spots can be a challenge. Busy roads and narrow shoulders can really prevent you from fishing the water you are interested in. Take time to drive along the river and look for designated parking spots. The DEC has many designated angler parking areas but they aren't always listed on maps. Take the time to find them and mark them on a mapping system like google maps or On X. This also gives you the opportunity to jot down notes about the available parking so the next time you decide to visit the river, you have a reference to look back at.

2. Read the river - There are entire articles and YouTube videos about reading water and there is a good reason for it. Take time to look at the water, not just jump in. Look for the runs, riffles, pockets, and pools around the parking areas. Take notes on what you see. That way you know what to expect three months down the road when you get back to that location.

3. Wade the water - If you are short on time leave the fly rod in the car. Strap on your waders and boots and take a walk in the water. There is no need to worry about spooking the fish. Notice the water depths, currents, and tripping hazards. We have all stepped into a piece of water expecting one thing and finding the polar opposite. Take a fifteen minute walk up and down stream to get to know some of the river. Knowing what you are getting into ahead of time will help for years to come.

4. Know the regulations - Before you head out, do some research on the fishing regulations in the area. Remember that there are state wide regulations as well as local regulations. Some places may be catch and release only or there may be a no live bait regulation on the water you are interested in. This little bit of research will ensure you are following the appropriate laws.

5. Check out the bug life - Taking the time to flip some rocks and just taking a seat on the river bank and watching the sky over the water can tell you a lot about what you should have in your fly box.

6. Grab your rod - If there is time at the end of your scouting day, take a little time and fish some of the water you have scouted. This doesn't have to be hard core fishing, just take a little extra time to get a fly in the water. This gives you a chance to recognize things like over head obstructions and hidden underwater obstacles that can grab your fly.

Scouting days are well worth the time. You can cover a lot of water and learn a lot about a river by following these basic steps. Scouting can set you up for sucess for seasons to come. Take the extra day, learn the river. Your future self will thank you.