My first fly fishing experience was high sticking in the rolling streams of The Smoky Mountain National Park. Hiking and climbing the rocks and boulders to find a likely spot to flick your line upstream. Watching tentatively, not sure if the dip of your indicator was from the bubbling on the surface of the water or from a trophy trout taking your fly. Honestly, it was not what I was expecting, but from the start I was hooked.
Since then I've waded into and cast acrosse wide streams. I've tried my hand at fly fishing for bass. But mostly, I've been sight fishing. And I have to say, I love walking along stream banks stalking for trout most of all.
It sounds easy. You walk along the bank looking for fish. When you see one you cast upstream of them. You keep mending your line so that the presentation of the fly appears natural. And then you wait as your fly drifts by them to watch them take the fly. And just like most fishing, it's not always easy. But here's a few bits of advice that might help.
The first thing to know is that polarized sunglasses are a must. They eliminate the glare of the sun off of the water and allow you to see into the water. I've even read that different lenses will help with different fishing evironments. Rose colored lenses are good for dark streams. Orange lenses are good for light streams. And brown lenses are good for deep, still water. Without polarized glasses you will be either be fishing blind or moving around to try and find an angle to avoid the glare on the water. Which brings us to our next point.
Don't let yourself be seen! While it will be easier to see the fish from a higher angle, fish can see out of the water. So you will need to camoflage yourself. Plan on wearing clothing that will blend in with whatever is behind you. If there are a lot of trees and vegetaion behind you wear something dark green or olive. If there is open sky behind you wear blue. You can also try to blend in with the evirontment. Look around for a tree or some tall brush to hide behind as you're looking for the fish. Be as still as possible. If you have to have to move, move slowly. You will be seen much easier if you are moving and you will be seen immediately if you are moving quickly.
Be aware of the sun. Not only can fish see you above the water they can see your shadow underneath the water. I know it can't always be done, but try to keep the sun in front of you. I've spooked countless fish by walking up the the stream and letting my shadow fall across the stream bed in front of them.
Now you have to spot the fish. It will make it a little easier if you think about what we do as anglers to avoid being seen by the fish. Just as you don't want to be seen by the fish, they don't want to be seen by you. They do everything they can to not be seen, just like you have. So what do you look for? Look for changes is color in the stream bed. Fish will try and stay in areas where they blend in, but they aren't always successful. Look for movement. And not necessarily large movement. Finding a fishing swimming against the current would be nice, but also look for small movement like a tail fin swaying back and forth. Look around places for the fish to hide. Rocks and fallen trees can provide protection from natural predators. And look for shadows. Sometimes it will be easier to see a shadow on the stream bed rather than the fish itself.
I know that these tips will help, but reading about doing something is not the same as doing it. The best thing you can do is go out to a stream and find some fish. And knowing that I haven't been able to tell you all about finding fish in a stream, here are some links to other articles that can tell you more.
Orvis Beginner's Corner - Tips for Spotting Trout
Field and Stream Fly Talk - Five Ways to Spot More Trout
Bish & Fish - How to Find and Spot Trout so You can Cast to Them
eHow - How to Spot Trout in a River
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