Check to see if the choice of fly is correct

Move away, perhaps downstream just one pool and see how things go. If you are lucky/observant you will choose the fly the fish are feeding on straight away. If not then keep trying until you are catching or rising fish to the fly consistently. If the fish in your pool are rising then it is quite likely that the fish in the big fish pool, next one up, will be.

The "Stalk"

Wade cautiously towards his pool, keeping low and moving slowly and wait… wait…for a rise to appear at the point where the fish could be expected to be. Remember, big fish don't have to move far to feed. They have already bullied their way into the best feeding spot. Identify just where you want the fly to land; about half a meter upstream. A good cricketing bowler will probably make an accurate caster, watch intently where you want the fly (ball!) to land.

The cast

Make sure you are not over significantly faster or slower water. That is what will create drag. Wait for him to rise again. In order to avoid scaring him false cast AWAY from the pool, or parallel to it and only when you are confident that the fly will cover him redirect the cast ahead of the fish and let the fly land. If nothing happens let the fly drift well down stream of his lie then wait until he rises again… a fish that has risen to a natural is eager for the same success and will more readily take the artificial. Try to cover him again within 10 seconds of his rise.

The Fish is not rising

Tie on a nymph and cast well ahead of where you think he is. Watch the leader on the surface and react to any irregularity of behaviour. The movement associated with a fish taking a nymph can also cause a slight disturbance on the surface. It depends on how deep he is feeding. If you know exactly where he is then try a short, slow lift as the fly drifts toward him: The induced take. If the nymph is taken by a smaller fish from the same pool then retreat for 15 minutes before having another go at the monster.