t last, April has finally arrived. A time for anglers to crawl out of their caves, head down to the local fly shop and purchase that new paper we call a valid fishing license. Don't forget the floatant and nippers. We've planned for weeks, spending time scrubbing and cleaning that old crackly fly line. Parts to a reel sprawled out on the kitchen table, where is that darn screw? Many have spent hours at the fly tying bench, while others tried finding that pesky leak in that old musky pair of waders.

The 5 A.M. alarm sounds. 4 hours 21 minutes latter you bounce into Maverick Campground thinking you just set a new land speed record. A quick jaunt reveals your favorite trout stream raging, resembling the chocolate milk you drank for breakfast. Disappointment sets in. Oh yeah, run off.

Run off puts fear in the eyes of many anglers, most of which just drive away willing to give up than face adversity. Although challenging, applying a few basic techniques for run off may just result in a good day on the stream.

Even though the stream roars with murky water, don't rule out possibilities for dry fly action. Common thought says trout won't rise to insects on the surface, much less rise to a dry during run off or times of murky water.

Not totally true, especially if there are large insects hatching off. Giant Stoneflies (PTERONARCYS CALIFORNICA), Golden Stoneflies (HESPEROPERLA PACIFICA), Western Green Drakes (EPHEMERELLA GRANDIS), Spotted Sedges (SYMPHITOPSYCHE SLOSSANAE) and American Grannom Caddis (BRACHYCENTRUS AMERICANUS) hatches may all coincide with run off. These insects are all big and meaty. Some have a slow lethargic emergence compared to a #18 Blue Winged Olive.

The key point to dry fly success during less than desirable run off lies in the ability of anglers to read and understand the water. Brown trout typically hold along the banks and in edge water during high water flows. Water turbulence diminishes against the banks and along huge boulders look for the calmer water or seams here, they may only be three inches wide.

Creep along the banks in your best stealth-like manners. Cast tight against the bank or the boulders. No need to worry with soft delicate presentations here. The Giant Stoneflies flutter and skate across the water when laying eggs or blown in by spring winds. Run off may be in high gear but so are the stoneflies. A good dry fly match is a #10 Foam Sofa Pillow; this is a big buoyant pattern that trout can see.

Successful dry fly fishing in run off conditions usually requires anglers to go with big bushy patterns that ride high with a thick silhouette. Other dry fly patterns worthy of run off conditions include Stimulators, Ausable Wulffs, Elk Hair Caddis, Humpies, Madame X's, Chernobyl Ants, Turk's Tarantula and the occasional Hopper all in sizes 10 through 14.

An effective technique for early and late stages of run off when the water is clearer is to add a dropper nymph. Tie 12-16 inches of tippet off the bend of the dry fly. You may want to allow a little extra tippet for tying on the nymph. You have just doubled your odds, plus the dry fly also acts as a strike indicator. Bead Head Prince Nymphs,Bead Head Hare's Ears, Flashback Pheasant Tails and Bead Head Caddis Larva sizes 12 to 16, make excellent basic dropper patterns. Bead heads flash and reflect in the murky water helping to attract.

In the unfortunate event that dry flies fail to produce strikes, don't be afraid of making the change to large nymphs or streamers. The great thing about using streamers is the presentation. Generally, streamers can be presented with pure slop, less than perfect won't kill your chances. Plus fishing streamers and large nymphs allows anglers to cover a larger variety of water such as deeper runs and pools, great lies for big rainbows.

The same basic rule for selecting streamers applies as that of selecting dry flies. Big and bushy, however, unlike the dries, they should be heavily weighted (Louwensky style), so it goes down quick and deep. Bead heads and cone heads add extra weight and flash. Streamers should be extremely dark or light in color for more contrast in the murky water. Crystal flashing reflects even more light, adding to the affective qualities of the streamer. A good basic streamer selection includes Bead Head and Cone Head Wooly Bugs, Zonkers, Yuk Bugs, Marabou Leeches and big stonefly nymphs.

Anglers intimidated by streamers should initially treat them like a nymph. Place split shot about 4-6 inches up from the fly. Use a strike indicator to assure dead drifts along the streambed, indicators also greatly enhance the number of hook ups. Longer leaders, 9 ft – 12ft may be required to help get the streamers down. Heavy tippet, 4X-3X, is required to avoid constant break offs on the bottom.

Dead drift along the banks, creeping 3-4 feet at a time, pay close attention to undercut banks but afford trampling to close, least you be the sole to spook the very prey your after. Work the seams and pockets formed by the large boulders, two to three drifts and move on, over fishing a seam means less time on untouched lies.

Like anything, dead drifting isn't the definitive answer. Conditions may warrant creating life in the streamer, imitating a prey fish or a leech. Sounds difficult? Not really. Use a down and across cast, one of the most effective and simplest streamer techniques. Face perpendicular to the bank, quarter the casts slightly down stream adding an upstream mend to slow the drift, giving more time for the streamer to sink. The streamer drifts down and swings across the current, hence the name. As the streamer swings across the current, keep slight tension in the line allowing for more control of the drift and aids in setting on the strike. If you feel a subtle or light nudge strike, raise the rod tip up slightly. When done properly you will experience a strong strike or an 'electric tug'.

Determining the proper amount of line needed for the down and across takes practice, be sure the swing ends just as the streamer enters the promising lie. Sometimes stripping the fly back up stream (1-3 feet) initiates the strike. Anticipate the strikes and be ready to play the trout downstream. Move 2-3 steps down stream after 2-3 casts.

Run off conditions can be dangerous. Safety, by far the most important consideration, should not be taken lightly. The powerful water often redefines many of the subsurface features from the previous summer, with the murky water these new features will be difficult to see. Shallow pools change to deep pools, submerged logs hang up on now submerged boulders and undercut banks crumble under pressure. Felt soled wading boots are designed to grip rocks and logs more efficiently. Wadding staffs aid when crossing streams and act as a third hand for feeling along the bottom, looking for any new features. If the water looks unsafe, then it probably is.

Not all streams experience run off during the same time, contact your local fly shops for current flow conditions. By applying a few basic techniques run off can be exciting and productive. Don't let the murky water fool you. Stay optimistic, turn run off into an annual appointment instead of an annual disappointment.