Short cane for more maneuverability
In these narrow and difficult to access areas that are the mountain streams, we often fish with a short rod (less than 1.70m). Short and precise casts are preferred to fish efficiently the smallest spot, however small it may be. The rod will be of power L (light) or UL (ultra light), which notably gave its name to the technique.
Upstream fishing and discretion
In order to fish well under waterfalls, cascades, boulders, we will favour an upstream fishing. This means casting the lure upstream and bringing it back downstream in the direction of the current. Indeed, by fishing downstream, we will fish rather badly these positions or it will even be impossible to reach them. In addition, the fish will very often have their nose upstream while waiting for the current to bring them food. It will therefore be easier to avoid being spotted by fishing on the back of the fish rather than on the front.
Mandatory quick ratio
To cast and reel upstream, use a small reel (size 1000 to 2000) with a high retrieve ratio. This high ratio will be very useful to quickly recover the line and the lure (and the fish!) which go downstream. Indeed, with a low retrieve ratio, the lure would swim downstream at almost the same speed as our line retrieve. As a result, it will not swim very well. The water would not press on it and it would not work well.
With a high retrieve, we don't have this problem, the line is taut during the retrieve and the lure works well. The taut line allows to better control the trajectory of the lure in the currents in order to make it evolve on the most promising zones.
At the beginning of the ultra light, the Mitchell firm which had released the 358, then the 408 which largely allowed to democratize this technique, in particular by the association of small reels with strong ratio of recovery with the fishing of the trout with the lure in river.
The ideal line, nylon
Nylon is ideal for this fishery. Braid is too fragile when it rubs against the many rocks. A fine nylon (14 to 16/100) will be discreet and will allow you to easily cast the smallest light lure. In very turbulent streams where it is difficult to follow the line with your eyes to make your lure evolve, you can use a fluorescent line, very visible, and a leader of at least 2m thinner than the line body.
The essential accessories
In addition to the rod and reel, we will adapt our luggage and clothing to the profiles of the river. A vest or a small bag is enough. We will take care to put a pair of pliers, a spool of line and a small box of about twenty lures maximum. Waterproof walking shoes are very useful to avoid slipping on the rocks and to evolve on delicate banks. A small landing net is an indispensable tool and typical of the trout fisherman's kit. It allows to shorten the fights, especially when the fish is running down the stream in front of us and we have to catch it quickly.
