Seasonal Fishing Tips: Summer Has Arrived

It’s officially summer, which means that the heat is on across the country, runoff has peaked and the fish are looking up.

There’s a lot to love about fly fishing in the summer including epic dry fly fishing with big, juicy offerings. Aside from larger Golden Stoneflies and Terrestrials, there are also Caddis, Yellow Sally Stones, PMD’s and Tricos to toss at hungry trout. Also, don’t sleep on small BWO’s as well because the trout just seem to love eating them.

Here are some tips to consider this summer:

1. Look in the air and in the bushes before you even start fishing. Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and Tricos will hang in the trees before taking flight so if you see them before you see rising fish, don’t be afraid to toss them along the bank. Oftentimes, the fish (especially brown trout) will hang close to shore waiting for an easy meal.  The same goes for terrestrials as well.
2. As with any season, check the flows before you go. Rivers out west are dropping and clear, but be careful if you’re wading an unfamiliar area during runoff. Fish water you’re comfortable with and carry a wading staff for extra support if needed.
3. Fish a Dry/Dropper rig if you see suspended trout and because it’s fun. Fish are looking up in the summer, but they aren’t always willing to eat a big dry fly, especially in the bright sun. Fishing a dropper 1-3 feet beneath your dry fly will get you takes on and beneath the surface.
4. Look for fish. I have seen fish feed in some interesting ways during the summer months. They are sometimes in a foot of water sliding back and forth eating PMD nymphs when other anglers are fishing deep water with a heavy nymph rig. Try and figure out how they’re feeding before making a cast.
5. Listen for grasshoppers and fish them on windy days. It’s easier to throw a big ‘ol hopper in a stiff, summer breeze than a size 22 Trico. If you hear and see hoppers on your walk in and the wind is blowing, put on a hopper that matches the color of the naturals you see. My first ever fish in Colorado was caught on a hopper and that dry fly eat was not a subtle one.
6. Check water temperatures before you head out and while you’re fishing, especially this year! Trout begin to get stressed when water temps reach 65 degrees. I carry a thermometer and I will stop fishing when temps reach 67. Some anglers will fish until temps reach 70 degrees, but fighting and landing a fish at that temperature severely stresses them out. Sometimes they’ll swim away and seem fine, but they can die so respect our quarry and don’t fish if the water is too hot, please.
7. Fish early if you know water temps on your local rivers are on the rise. Besides, who doesn’t want to see a beautiful sunrise and catch some fish before lunch?
8. Wear sunscreen or clothing with UV protection. It’s hot and if you know you’re going to fish all day, protect your skin.
9. Hydrate. Once again, it’s hot so don’t forget to drink water or a sports drink with electrolytes. I will carry a drink on my hip and another in the back of my vest. Once drink #1 is gone, I’ll cool down my 2nd drink in the river.
10. Hike to fish. I love fly fishing in the summer, but so does everyone else. If you see multiple cars at your favorite spot, try someplace else. Hike to find new water and enjoy all of the amazing things that summer fly fishing has to offer.
11. With water temps on the rise, fishing high alpine lakes is a great option.  I have found ant patterns work particularly well, including Ken’s Crazy Ant.  It’s a fun tie and they work incredibly well.

Don’t forget to look up.