It’s officially fall, which means things are finally cooling down across the country, water levels are relatively low and the days are getting shorter.
There’s a lot to love about fly fishing in the fall including throwing streamers to aggressive brown trout, tossing mayfly nymphs in the riffles hoping for a take and casting dries to eager fish.
Here are some tips to consider this fall:
- Be stealthy. Water levels are getting lower by the day and making a lot of noise in the water or having the sun behind you is likely to spook fish.
- Tippet down for nymphs and dry flies. Some of the waters I fish have been pounded since July so the fish are wary. If you’re not getting takes while nymphing or throwing dries, make sure you’re using a lighter tippet. It could make the difference.
- Fish a Dry/Dropper rig if you see suspended trout. Fish are looking up in the fall, but they aren’t always willing to eat a big dry fly. Fishing a dropper 1-3 feet below your dry fly will get you takes on and beneath the surface.
- Look for fish. I have seen fish feed in some interesting ways during the fall. With low, clear water you can see fish and they can see you. Casting upstream or across the river to a fish you have spotted is a great option in the fall. A solid pair of polarized glasses will help your cause.
- Throw streamers because the tug is the drug. Cloudy weather can lead to some epic streamer days!
- Change up your retrieve if you’re fishing streamers in fishy looking water and not getting takes. Fish sometimes want to see your streamer look vulnerable. Tossing your fly and moving it as fast as possible is not always the best option, let it swing. Or, let it sink in a hole before slowly moving/retrieving it. Mix it up!
- Put an egg on. I love fishing eggs in the winter these days, but since the browns are spawning some very large rainbow trout will be looking for their eggs. Give them a shot.
- Go small. Most of the big mayfly hatches are over for the year so fish smaller dry flies and nymphs. I am a huge fan of the Bubble Back Midge or the Chocolate Thunder during the fall while nymphing.
- Hike to fish. I love fly fishing in the fall, but so does everyone else. If you see multiple cars at your favorite fishing spot, try someplace else. Hike to find new water and enjoy all of the amazing things that fall fishing has to offer and don’t forget to look up.
- Enjoy yourself. Fall fishing is some of the last warm weather fishing we’ll have until 2026 so get out there, enjoy the foliage, cool water, and quality fly fishing.
Mayfly Musings 