The Head and Tail Rise

Fish taking Nymphs in a Head-and-Tail Rise

The Head and Tail Rise is similar to the bulge rise (see my 7-22-14 post: "Identifying Trout Rises"), but as it porpoises, the head, back and tail are visible. Fish are usually taking dry flies when they rise in this fashion, but they may also be taking nymphs. In lakes, fish often take rises in this manner as they cruise and devour insects that are emerging, resting on top of the surface or laboring to emerge.

For rising fish in streams, remember that moving water misconstrues the actual feeding station because the disturbance has moved downriver with the water. To place the fly where the fish actually rose to the surface, cast the fly ahead of the fish so that it will drift over it. In lakes, simply cast the fly three to four feet ahead of a cruising fish.