Tailgate Talks: The Ultimate Pocket Water Rig
Learn Matt Callies' favorite dry dropper setup for fishing pocket water, riffles, and pools. Watch how to adjust depth fast without rebuilding your rig.
Dry Flies, Streamers, and Better Presentations: Dax Messett Shares His Summer Trout Playbook
Summer trout fishing is all about adapting. As hatches come and go and conditions change throughout the day, knowing when to switch tactics can make all the difference. With guiding experience in both New Zealand and the American West, Loon Outdoors ambassador Dax Messett shares the flies, gear, and techniques that help him and his clients find success all summer long.
SUMMER TROUT FISHING IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH DRY FLY FISHING, ESPECIALLY DURING LOW LIGHT HATCHES. HOW DO YOU KEEP THE DAY GOING ONCE THE SUN IS HIGH?
Dax: I’m fortunate to guide in a region with excellent streamer fishing opportunities. I always keep a couple of rods rigged in the boat or truck with different sinking line setups for when the heads stop showing. Plus, I really love streamer fishing too, haha.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO FISH FOR TROUT IN THE SUMMER? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HATCH?
Dax: Without question, sight fishing for rising trout and targeting them with dry flies. After spending eight winters in New Zealand, that hunting style of fishing became my favorite way to fish for pretty much everything.
WHAT ARE THREE LOON PRODUCTS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO YOUR SUMMER GUIDING, AND WHY?
Dax: The right gear doesn't have to be complicated. These are the three Loon products that I use every day I'm on the water.
Top Ride
Top Ride ‘shake and bake’ is an absolute must. I use a ton of it since I’m dry fly fishing most of the time, haha. It works just as well on tiny spring creek flies as it does on larger patterns like Hexes and stoneflies.
Amadou Patch
The Amadou Patch is perfect for drying delicate flies after they’ve been chowed. I’ll use the pouch first, then put the fly in the shake and bake, and it’s usually good to fish again.
Line Up Kit
I always have the Line Up Kit in my boat bag and use it often. We cast and fish at fairly long distances on my trips, and a clean, slick fly line casts better, feeds better, floats better, and fishes way better than a dirty one.
IF YOU COULD ONLY CARRY THREE FLY PATTERNS ALL SUMMER FOR YOUR CLIENTS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
Dax: I’d pick a Quigley Cripple, a Norm Wood Special, and a black leech and make sure they vary in size and color.
IS THERE ONE SKILL YOU WISH EVERY CLIENT SHOWED UP WITH THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR DAY ON THE WATER BETTER?
Dax: If people practiced a little bit on the lawn before they came, it would really help me help them, haha. The time to practice casting isn’t while you’re standing on an ultra-technical spring creek.
As far as one specific skill goes, if you have a good reach cast, you’ll create far more opportunities than anglers who don’t. Being able to reposition your line in the air so it lands with the presentation you want is invaluable in dry fly fishing. You could even argue it’s more important than the fly you tie on.”
To learn more about Dax, or just follow his adventures as a guide and angler, give him a follow at @daxmessett.
