Fly fishing from a boat allows you to target a lot more great fishing water near you. Whether you are going fly fishing in a drift boat, a raft, a canoe, or a kayak, here are some top tips to help you get the most out of your fly fishing when fishing water near you.

Learn a Reach Cast. A reach cast allows you to mend your fly line in the air before it lands. Simple enough to grasp--if the boat is moving but your target is a rising fish or cut bank, that isn't. So you need to mend as soon and as quickly as possible.

Always Look Downstream. Water flows downstream. Fish often are looking upstream so if they see you coming, you are less likely to catch them. It is also a good idea to always look downstream to avoid any hazards.

Keep Your Casts Over the Water and Not Over the Boat. This is crucial for safety but also allows for the most effective presentations because you are less likely to snag the boat or whack the boat with your fly, which makes a noise and can spook fish.

Keep a Clean and Tidy Ship. No one likes a messy boat. Especially fly lines and other gear. When getting in the boat shake your feet so you keep mud and sand out. Wash out your boat at the end of each day. It also helps keep aquatic invasive species from being spread.

Watch the Oars, Paddles, Rudders, etc. Take some pity for whoever is rowing your butt down the river and keep your fly line out of the way. Not only will you keep them happy you get to fish more because you won't be dealing with a mess of tangled fly line.

Upgrade to a Faster Action Fly Rod. Often times casting from a boat means you have to hit the spot sooner or more quickly and then look to the next one. Also wind can be more a factor when fly fishing from a boat. So pick a rod that is a little stiffer and faster than the small creek rod you would use for throwing size 18 dry flies on tiny water.

Be a Good Boat Mate. If you are fishing with another angler, pay attention to what the other angler is doing. Don't be the angler who casts at the wrong time and causes a mid-air collision of fly lines.

Be sure to read onWater fishing blog posts to plan better and fish smarter and get more out of your fishing.‍

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