Start the New Year Right: 5 Guide-Proven Skills That Will Help You Catch More Fish This Season

Photo- Nick Roman

A new year brings a fresh start — on and off the water. New trips on the calendar, new goals, and that familiar optimism that *this* will be the year everything clicks. Before we dive into another season of early mornings, foggy launches, and screaming reels, I want to wish you and your family all the best in the year ahead. May it be filled with good health, time outdoors, and plenty of memorable days on the water.

As a professional fishing guide in Ontario, I spend more days fishing than most people get in a lifetime. That gives me a unique perspective on what actually leads to consistent success — and what doesn’t. One thing has become very clear over the years: catching more fish has very little to do with owning the latest gear. Instead, it comes down to repeatable habits and decision-making skills that anyone can learn.

If you’re looking for a productive way to start the year strong, these five guide-proven skills are things you can begin implementing immediately. They don’t require new rods, reels, or boats — just intention and awareness.

1. Always Have Your Net Extended and Release Tools Organized

This may sound simple, but it’s one of the most important habits you can develop — and one of the most overlooked.

More fish are lost in the final moments of the fight than at any other time. By the time a fish is boatside, adrenaline is high, hooks are barely pinned, and any hesitation can cost you the catch. I see it constantly with new clients: the net is collapsed, pliers are buried in a bag, and chaos takes over just when things should be calm.

Before you ever make a cast:

* Your net should be extended and within easy reach

* Pliers, cutters, and release tools should live in the same place every trip

* You should already have a plan for how the fish will be landed and released

This habit does more than just land fish — it protects them. Quick, controlled net jobs reduce handling time and stress, leading to healthier releases and stronger fisheries.

Guide insight:

Preparedness removes panic. When everything is ready, you can focus on positioning the fish instead of scrambling for gear.

2. Fish the Water You’re In — Not the One You Wish You Were In

One of the biggest differences between experienced guides and casual anglers is adaptability. Fish don’t care what worked yesterday, last week, or even an hour ago.

Water temperature, clarity, wind direction, light levels, pressure systems, and fishing pressure all influence how fish behave. The anglers who consistently succeed are the ones who respond to those variables quickly.

Instead of forcing a pattern:

* Adjust depth before changing locations

* Change retrieve speed before swapping flies or lures

* Let fish behavior dictate presentation

If fish are following but not committing, that’s information. If you’re seeing no activity at all, that’s information too. Too many anglers ignore these clues and continue fishing on autopilot.

Guide insight:

The water always tells a story. The better you get at reading it, the fewer “slow days” you’ll have.

3. Slow Down When Conditions Get Tough

Slowing down with dropshot rigs on everyone's lines, made for an incredible morning bite this past summer. None stop double and a couple triple headers!

When fishing gets difficult, most anglers speed up. They cast more, move more, and try to force something to happen. Guides do the opposite.

Cold water, post-front conditions, high fishing pressure, or bluebird skies often push fish into neutral or negative feeding moods. In these situations, slowing down is almost always the answer.

This can mean:

* Slower retrieves

* Longer pauses between strips or turns of the reel

* Letting flies or lures hang in the strike zone longer

Slowing down doesn’t mean fishing lazily — it means fishing deliberately. Every movement should have purpose.

Guide insight:

Fish don’t stop eating — they just become harder to convince. Precision beats speed when conditions are tough.

4. Make Every Cast Count

One of the most valuable skills you can develop is casting with intent. Guides don’t cast just to cover water — they cast to specific targets with a plan in mind.

Before each cast, ask yourself:

* Where is the fish likely positioned?

* What structure or transition am I targeting?

* How should my presentation move through that area?

Edges, weedlines, rock transitions, depth changes, and current seams are all high-percentage zones. Blind casting open water rarely produces consistent results, especially in clear systems like Georgian Bay.

If a cast lands poorly or the presentation isn’t right, fix it immediately. Letting a bad cast “fish itself out” often wastes valuable time in prime water.

Guide insight:

One accurate, well-thought-out cast in the right place is worth more than dozens of random ones.

5. Stay Mentally Engaged From Start to Finish

Every angler can learn from the musky anglers, never give up, and stay focused on your presentation until you get back to the truck.

This might be the most underrated skill of all.

Fishing isn’t just physical — it’s mental. Some of the biggest breakthroughs happen after long quiet stretches, but only if you’re paying attention. Fish often give subtle signals before a bite window opens.

Stay engaged by:

* Watching how fish follow, swipe, or refuse

* Noticing changes in light, wind, or cloud cover

* Tracking what depths, retrieves, and angles produce interest

Slow periods aren’t failures — they’re data. The anglers who remain mentally present are the ones who capitalize when conditions finally align.

Guide insight:

Fishing rewards patience and awareness. When the moment comes, you want to be ready — not distracted or discouraged.

Why These Skills Matter More Than Gear

In today’s fishing world, it’s easy to believe success comes from owning the right equipment. While quality gear certainly helps, it’s not what separates consistent anglers from frustrated ones.

These five skills:

* Improve efficiency

* Reduce mistakes

* Lead to better fish handling

* Create more opportunities per day

They’re also the same habits I work on with clients every single trip, whether we’re fly fishing for smallmouth bass on Georgian Bay, targeting pike in shallow bays, or exploring trout rivers across Ontario.

Carry These Habits Into the Season Ahead

As we move into a new year, consider focusing less on what you need to buy and more on how you fish. These skills don’t require perfect conditions or expensive equipment — just preparation, adaptability, and intention.

Whether you’re fishing close to home or planning a guided trip this season, I hope these insights help you fish with more confidence and consistency. Here’s to tighter lines, calmer net jobs, and more memorable days on the water in the year ahead.

If you’re looking to fast-track these skills, nothing replaces time spent on the water with a professional guide. Every day guiding is a chance to refine habits, learn faster, and experience what efficient fishing really looks like.

Wishing you all the best this season.

— Matt

Smooth River Guiding

Ontario Fly Fishing Guide | Georgian Bay & Beyond

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