If you are not getting hook-ups, it is usually because of one of three things: timing, accuracy, and presentation. These are the most important factors during this hatch--even more so than the fly pattern.

Basic mayfly combinations, such as an Adams with a Trico spinner dropper, will catch any fish eating Tricos. However, your timing must be precise. That means luck has a lot to do with it, as well as the law of averages.

Instead of bunch-shooting into the pod, you must land your flies in front of a specific trout as many times as possible. As soon as your flies go over the trout, let them drift past the fish before you pick up, so you don't spook it. Get the flies in front of the same fish again and again. Excessive false-casting wastes time and decreases the odds of the fish taking your fly. Keep your fly on the water.

The second factor is accuracy. These fish do not need to move to the left or right to get your fly. Why should they? There are thousands of spent Tricos floating right to them. All they need to do is tip up, open their mouths, and dip down. Your fly must drift exactly over the trout as many times as possible.

To improve exposure, cast only about 12 inches upstream of the trout. A long drift is not required, and long drifts can actually thwart your efforts if the current draws the fly to one side or the other.

Also, get as close as possible to the fish. Use stealth, and crouch and kneel if you must. This is critical because if you are 15 feet away you can put the fly on the button more consistently than from 40 or 50 feet.

Presentation is the final important consideration. A dragging fly may get smaller fish excited enough to chase it, but you will not catch many large trout. Watch the real Tricos on the water while you are drifting your flies. Your flies should drift at exactly the same speed as the other floating insects.

As stated, short drifts directly over the fish are normally best. If you must make a long drift, a reach cast can help--especially if there is fast water between you and the trout. Reach upstream on your forward cast so the fly line lands upstream of your flies. As the current removes this upstream bow in your line, your flies will drift freely without dragging.

Another technique is to cast at a sharp downstream angle and feed line and your fly directly toward the rising trout. This extends your drift, which could make the difference in getting it over the fish. Unfortunately, the more line you have out, the harder it is to set the hook when your fly is eaten.

For Tricos, use 9- or 12-foot tapered leaders with 2 to 3 feet of 5X or 6X tippet. Some experts advocate longer leaders but they are harder to cast accurately. I like fluorocarbon for its strength and light-refracting qualities. This helps when trout are feeding in slower water--with fewer bugs on the surface. These fish have ample time to examine your flies, and often spook if they see your leader and tippet first.

In pod situations, use indicator flies such as a Sprout Trico, Pablo's Cripple Tridge, or a high-vis CDC Compara-dun Trico. These flies are easy to see, especially on long casts. If you cannot see your fly, you'll never know if you are casting accurately.

When spinners blanket the water, attach a spinner dropper 12 to 14 inches below a dun pattern. I know a lot of guys want to cast only one fly. However, you will put more fish down by "guess setting" rather than actually seeing your flies eaten. I usually dress the spinner pattern to keep it floating for risers.

In the late morning when the spinner fall is winding down, I tie a sinking spinner below my dun pattern to get a foot or two under the surface. The most realistic pattern I know is the Evetts Spinner. Spent Tricos naturally start to sink after time, and trout key in on them. I even use a spinner as a nymph tied below a Pheasant Tail after most of the fish are down for the day.

I prefer 81/2-foot 4-weights with weight-forward floating lines for casting drys on the Bighorn. Use a 9-foot 5- or 6-weight rod for bigger waters and windy conditions. Also, it is important that your line color is not too bright. Muted olive is less noticeable to the fish.