9ft 5# will be ideal for a river , floating line Dave.
Jim
Spot on
Having had an evening to reflect on the post, my big bugbear on the river is avoiding drag
Whether fishing dries or wets, this is why i would recommend fishing the 10-2 'o'clock arc regardless of the flies i were using. Fishing down and across is basically dragging the fly (sorry jim
) and as such you will pick up a few small trout who are willing to chase anything that looks like it could be food, but you will spook the rest.
The 10-2 arc depends on the direction of flow, but cast upstream and try to fish the flies without any movement until they get to the end of the arc then a small lift imparts some movement and this can sometimes be a trigger (worth a try anyway). Down and across will work for fishing a sedge hatch
so its not totally without merit but for most situations i would try to avoid it, unless you are doing it without drag (i imagine the reason for Jim's 'Mend') problem is you have much less control and a much shorter drift.
Unfortunatley there is going to be a bit more casting, but if you select the water you think looks likely to hold fish and fish these then you wont cast anymore than blind searching
I would also add, Start fishing from the bank, dont wade. There are often some very good fish under the nearside bank (as many as the far side
) Only wade into water you have already fished through, look for features like overhangs, rocks and seams in the water where faster water meets slower, changes in depth if visible are good spots especially along the actual change. Weeds are good cover for fish so try to fish along the edges.
I dont think anyone can ever learn how to completely read a river, but its good fun trying
Good luck
Sandy