When drifting in a boat, scan constantly for rising trout. This is sometimes obvious, like a large snout opening wide and breaking the water, or better yet, a group of large snouts.

A splashy rise usually indicates a smaller fish, but subtle dimples can mean a large trout is sucking down spinners from just below the surface. After you know what to look for, you will spot fish more frequently.

When I see a good trout surfacing, I slow the boat with a hard backstroke. I leave the oars deep in the water for leverage, and ease in as close as possible. I lean toward the conservative side, because I would rather make longer casts and keep the fish feeding than get too close with the boat and put them down.

With beginners, it is better to work on improving their casts then to attempt getting too close. I also stay upstream of the trout whenever possible. This helps you get your line upstream of the flies and achieve better drifts.

Using this boat position, pick off the outside fish first, and gradually work your way to the inside of the pod. When you approach a pod on foot from below, you naturally get better hooks-sets, because the hook is drawn into the fish's mouth when you raise the rod. When approaching from below, you can also get closer to the trout.

Be aware that in a boat--from an upstream position--you will have to make longer casts. When you set the hook, sweep the rod down and to the side to improve your chances. Even then, with a small hook, you will miss some trout.

When the boat is in position, ease the anchor down. I've seen guys just step on their releases and let their anchors splash into the river. Then they wonder where the fish went. Instead, push the release down with your foot while holding the rope, and gently lower the anchor into the water. Let out enough rope so the anchor is angled adequately to hold you steady.

While anchored you can use your oars to maneuver the angler standing in the bow of the boat closer to the fish. If the trout is feeding on river left, turn that same-side oar sideways so it lies flat on the river surface. Then turn your right-side oar perpendicular to the water where it pushes against the current and sways the angler closer to the fish. You can also push against the current with the oar to gain more distance. Every little bit helps.

Sweet Dreams
Even though Tricos can be difficult, they provide great opportunities for nice trout on drys. The Trico hatch on the Bighorn is so prolific it's developed a cult following similar to Salmonfly hatches on other rivers--except instead of casting a #8 fly on 2X tippet, you're casting a #18 on 5X. This takes delicate casts, hook-sets, and fighting. But the rewards are worth the challenge: boiling water, bobbing heads, cruising pigs, and the hatch also known as the white nightmare.