For most of the recent Fall fishing season we saw very low water levels in many of our trout waters. This was creating the need to adjust tactics for success, such as smaller and softer presentations, perhaps going with thinner tippet material, and searching for areas of moving water. With recent rains, much of that has changed. We have gone from low, slow and clear to high, murky and moving. Of course given a few days the levels will return to somewhat normal.
Having said that, we must be ready and willing to adjust our presentations based on what the water conditions are in order to increase our chances for success. Be sure to have a variety of tippet material sizes so you can change to what the water clarity and flow is requiring to get the trout to take your fly. Low, slow moving and clear water will require thinner tippet material but the murky, higher and faster water levels allow to use bigger sizes with heavier break strength. Moving presentations like streamer fishing will also allow larger tippet sizes, while tossing dry flies in skinny water may require the thinner tippet again.
In most cases, higher water levels and stained water will also allow for larger fly offerings like stoneflies and other sizeable nymphs that can be size 10 or even bigger. You may have to go the opposite route on slow skinny water and be throwing flies that are size 16 or smaller. In any condition, be prepared to show the fish something bright and colorful and something drab and neutral to see what mood the fish may be in. Having a range of options at your disposal for tackle and flies can be the key to success in changing water conditions.