Just about every stillwater fly fisher has experienced a vicious swirl, felt a solid tug or seen the flash of fish as it attempts to pounce on your fly just as you raise the rod to cast at the end of the retrieve. Prior to this last minute interest, all was quiet during your retrieve, causing you to ask, “Why the last second interest in the fly?” The answer is simple. Two things occurred during the rod lift. Your flies changed speed and direction as they accelerated toward the surface. This action triggered a flee response, and as a predator, the trout instinctively charged the fly. This is no different than a dozing cat pouncing on a length of string as it is pulled past or a hapless hiker deciding that sprinting away from a bear is a wise tactic.

Being aware of this flee response we can take advantage of the trout’s predatory nature by pausing or hanging the flies at the end of the retrieve prior to lifting the rod to recast. The “Hang” is best accomplished from a seated position to avoid spooking the trout. To initiate the hang begin raising the rod slowly as though you were preparing to re-cast while still retrieving line. Continue raising the rod until the fly gets close to the surface and then stop the rod lift. Any fish accelerating to catch the fleeing fly will be rewarded as it dangles at the surface. If you are fishing multiple flies hang each fly at the surface. Each fly could be targeted, and if a trout grabs a fly below, the visible fly serves as an indicator. The virtues of a long, 9.5-10.0 foot, fly rod soon become apparent when hanging flies. Once the hang portion of your presentation is complete and there are no takers, cast and present your flies once again.