1. Go Big. A large streamer may not catch more fish than your typical size 12 woolly bugger, but your average size will be larger.
2. Play with colors. Typically olive or natural colors work better in clear water. Black, brown, or bright colors work better in stained water. Stocked fish like yellow and white, while wild fish like more naturally colored flies.
3. Short leaders equal better hookups. A 5-7 ft. leader is all you need when streamer fishing. You will have a better connection to your fly, and therefore, have better hook ups and fly control.
4. Try these hot patterns: Black Marabou Sculpin, Brown Sculpin, and White Belly Sculpin. Use these patterns will coneheads or lead eyes in bigger water.
5. Cast downstream and cross current. To maximize your retrieve, cast down and across the current and swing your streamers accordingly. This will keep you connected to your fly, while increasing your chances of a hookup. Trout simply like streamers swinging down and across, which imitates a wounded baitfish struggling in the current.-
6. Dead drift streamers in fast water rapids and runs. High sticking your streamers in fast water will often produce a reaction strike from a fish staged behind rocks. A good looking streamer dead drifted quickly over a trout's head in fast water is often too much for them to handle.
These fine tips brought to you courtesy of the Trophy Water Guide Service of Boone, NC. By the way the rainbows are running huge this year on the Nolichucky River.