Not that you cannot get a fish to rise in high water. It is possible. I recommend using big bushy fly patterns. For two reasons, one is visibility is poor, and two they float better through turbid waters. Usual rough water attractors are flies I call on, including Royal Wulff and Stimulators. High floating Foam Hoppers, or Chernobyl Ants also work well.

But by and large fish are feeding sub-surface, in murky waters. And that calls for some special rigging and techniuqes.

High Water Techniques:

The murky water can be a fly fisher's friend. For one thing fish are less easily spooked, and they seem to feel more 'secure' hidden in their sanctuary of dark high water. For this reason you can shorten up those tippets and use stouter tippets than one would normally choose. If 6X is norm for your particular river go down to 4X. The advantage of stouter tippet comes into play when you are snagging up on bottom. I sometimes avoid use of a strike indicator during high water, so I can better feel river bottom. As mentioned above fish in high water can be bigger than average, and with stronger current, you'll putting quite a bit of pressure on your tippet trying to land that big fish.

Murky water typically calls for nymphs, wet flies and streamers. The ones popular in your particular area, should work in high water. Remember nymphs are having difficulty moving around too, and much more likely to be knocked free. Rigging up with a size or two bigger than norm also helps, as trout are likey to feed on free floating nymphs more than emerging ones, at this time. If in doubt as to what to use, start with basics, Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, Stonefly nymphs. Using beadheads will helps in visiblility and in a faster sink rate. Vary split shots you use. And don't forget to in a streamer or two as well. Aggravators are notioursly good high water patterns are are Dead drifting these as close to bottom as possible, and be prepared for hard strikes. If success doesn't come, try using a two fly set up, and probe at different levels.

When you find something that works, stick with it. And when you find fish stay there, fish are less likely to move on, so you are apt to get more fish in one spot then normal.

One last advantage of high water fishing, is relative solitude. Most fly fisher's will still see a river as 'blown out', like my Dad all those years ago. The one's that do try, usually don't have their heart in it. But for those that are patient and try technique's featured here, their reward quite likely will be some very big fish to remember.

From this expereince, I have deliberately honed my own angler's attention, and marvel not at what I notice, but what goes unnoticed by many. And many think it is unnecessary information, figuring they will catch fish using same tactics they always have, or there just aren't fish to be had that day.

For those that routinely ignore hints that Mother Nature is giving you in solving what will fish hit today puzzle. Next time try taking a few minutes to observe minute details of place you are fishing. Start with big picture, water flow, clarity, time of year, guess at water temperature (some take a thermometer), consider time of day, air temperature. Then look closer, look at current world of fish you are trying to entice. Turn over a few rocks, look at bugs there, some take a screen and place it in current to view offerings fish are being presented with. Observe surface of water, check for dimples, for feeding fish right below surface. Actually spotting fish in water takes practice. Then look for hatching insects, for insects laying eggs over surface, and of course that greatest of all fly fishing prizes rising fish.

Observe it all, not just before fishing but whole time, watch for nuances, changes in air temperature, changes in sunlight, hatches, surface activity. Are you hooking up deeper, shallower, suddenly less frequently. Be a part of fly fishing equation, at peace with it, in harmony with it, and you will be amazed how much more you enjoy it.

As you go along, you will find yourself unable to look at any river or lake, without observing it in this way. Even if you are just driving by it. You will be amazed at hatches you can observe from your car, you wil find yourself analyzing bugs on your windshield. Angler's Attention will just be way you looki at entirety of fish, insect relationship, and everytime you find yourself fly rod in hand, you will be better fly fisher for it.