I slowly approached the narrow stream, with the sun at my back. A large pod of trout was gathered in the only pool in the stream that seemed to hold fish. I watched for any movement that might indicate if and how the fish were feeding: nothing. My friend approached from the other side of the stream, and I asked him if he could see the trout. Even with sunglasses on he couldn't. However, the fish could see him, and they scattered. After about 15 minutes they regrouped, and provided an ideal testing ground for trying various nymphs, dries and streamers, but only on my side of the stream.

Successfully mastering the tactics of fly-fishing has many aspects: the approach, the style of presentation, the line, the leader, the fly and the quarry. Understanding each aspect provides the angler with an almost infinite number of considerations to develop and enjoy.

Think about the approach – before it's too late. Big fish might be hanging under the bank where you're walking. Determine which presentation will be most effective at a given time – and don't be stuck to it like glue. Just varying your presentation sometimes brings strikes from reluctant fish. Have the correct line and leader on for a chosen presentation – and take the time to change even when fish are rising. I generally carry a floating line and a sinking tip. Vary the length and type of leader based on the style of presentation. While I use a 7.5-foot leader fishing small streams, I lengthen it to 12-14 feet on rivers like the West Branch or East Outlet, where fish can get more skittish.

Choose the correct fly – hopefully one that you've tied. Remember that size generally matters more than color or silhouette; change sizes before changing color or type of fly. I frequently use more than one fly when fishing dries, nymphs or streamers, and always use flies of differing size.

Understand your quarry – and don't underestimate it. While a trout's brain is only the size of a pea, it has millions of years of evolution on its side.

As with any other pursuit, read as much as you can about it. The world of Youtube is another avenue ideally suited to learning about different styles of presentation and new flies. Tight lines!

Related stories:

• Brook trout by Don Abbott

• Catch and release — Kill or conserve? by Roy Hitchings

• Grand Lake Stream by Jeff Space

David Williams is a member of the Georges River chapter of Trout Unlimited, georgesrivertu.org.

The Georges River chapter of Trout Unlimited is a local chapter of a national nonprofit organization whose mission is "to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Trout Unlimited has 147,000 members across the country. This is the fourth in a series of articles written by members of GRTU.