The Nipigon is a large, deep river with a heavy flow rate.The banks are usually steep and bolder strewn with trees and brush tight to the banks. Not conduscive to your usual dry fly casting methods with a pretty back swing. Instead, the majority of fly fishing on the Nipigon is of the streamer variety, casting heavy sink tips with the "Chuck and Duck" method. The trick is to get down to their lies among the rocks, without getting hung up. Sink tips or shooting heads fit the bill as casting full sinking lines all day will wear you out in this current. A 7 or 8 weight rod is best suited.

Like most trout, Nipigon Brookies seek their food and protection by holding in lies that offer protection from predators yet allow them to ambush their prey. They seem to prefer cobblestone bottoms and banks that break the current flow but still allow them the opportunity to charge out into the heavier current from the depths using their large square tail for power.

Casting method #1
The typical wet fly swing works by making an across-stream cast, immediately mending slack into the line (usually an upstream mend) to allow the fly to sink, and following the drift of the line (or swing) with your fly rod.

Casting method #2
The Borger Jerk Strip in another method that works well on the Nipigon. See the graphic.

Casting method #3
The simple lazy method is my prefered choice. Cast out your line parallel to the river bank, give a quick up stream mend then let the river's current do the work. I use this method from a boat and with the motor still in forward, let the current drag the boat down stream and sink the line like back trolliing. When a fish hits, you will know it.

Borger Jerk Strip

I'm a true fisherman...I can not tell a lie! Yea right.

The Fly Fishing Magazine cover was made with Photoshop.

Just when you think you have them figured out...

Fly Fishing the Nipigon