Fall Fly Fishing Secrets!

Seasoned fly fishers world wide understand the magic that envelop’s rivers and streams from early autumn on through early winter.... Water levels drop and currents begin to loose their power as one enjoys changing colors and a drastic drop in attendance by fellow fly fishers! In my life Yosemite National Park here in California becomes a living Dali landscape more wondrous then usual. Resident trout though weary from a summer of hide and seek games are now easy to see and present flies. It feels as if life in general is pausing for a short moment to regroup and begin the long sleep until early spring.... I enjoy first finding my favorite waters such as lake Tenaya in the park or the mighty Merced River that screams out of this majestic place. This time of year I spend time watching and listening and smelling and counting my blessings, Yosemite is a fine place for this inward reflection as the season winds down!

One must adjust to the low water and begin using smaller tippits size six or smaller, flies that are effective usually are the tiny size eighteen or smaller. Before one begins presenting these tiny insects a great deal of stealth will be the order of the day. Rewards can be mesmerizing as transparency and chilly air awaken the senses that another season is almost behind and holidays are in the wings. By this time of year those who take this sport seriously can now evaluate what worked and what failed, equipment and skills in general usually need fine tuning. That fly vest can be emptied and lightened for certain, waders patched, lines cleaned or replaced, flies sorted for effectiveness. Fly rods carefully inspected for breaks, unwound guides, damaged cork? A time of personal perspective in my case, after many trips this year. The wonderful Feather River watershed was a special discovery, miles of deep green clean waters without a soul in sight. The people I met on this trip were worth the trip alone! Truckee River near Reno Nevada and the little town of Truckee a fine place to throw flies and relax highly recommended. Starting the season by train all the way up into Oregon and chasing Steelhead was grand! Like most of you I imagine memories of ones wrist being jolted by healthy trout or salmon become fuel for those cold rainy days coming up...

Fall Strategy

My advice for those seeking peace and abundant late season fly action is simple and old news for seasoned bug throwers! When approaching stream or rivers stay well back from the waters edges, wait and watch for rises and hatches. If your quiet and spend this time studying trout activity your odds will increase dramatically! Fall wading is usually not necessary and in many instances scatters resident fish and creates and alarm that will spook the area and waste your time. If no hatches are happening try walking a good distance from where you intend to fly fish and using either a filter or your hands scoop up material from under rocks or near shore and investigate identify resident insects. By taking this extra time studying you have a much better chance of fooling trout that have by fall truly seen it all cowboy!

Those rooky fly fishers who begin a session by getting right into the water and splashing around destroying the peaceful natural order will fail almost every time. Be smart and take the time to watch and learn. Equipment and lines need fine tuning as well, forget those thick early season tippits. You may need to extend your tippits out to eight feet or more to hide your colored fly line which will alert fish your insect is bogus. Changing your main fly line to a more neutral color is another good idea as the loud early season lines will defeat your stealthiness. Keep the lines clean and free of dressings as well because when waters are low and transparent you need every edge to fool wily trout.

Sift through your fly collection and take only your smallest creations with muted not loud colors, if you have sifted stream bed material and successful fly fishers always do. You will notice the larvae, insects are usually darker colored in browns and blacks. Your loud dressed early season offerings are now useless. I have many standards that work year after year when the leaves turn to gold, ants, grasshoppers, dragon flies, midges, baetis, Golden Stones, Elk Hair Caddis, and my favorite standby Mr. Mosquito. Of course depending on where you live world wide these standards will very.

Be prepared to change flies quickly if after ten casts you have no bumps try another fly and move to a fresh place to fish. Make an attempt to stay well back from any area you are working and throw long when possible. Your skills at presentation are critical, work stream edges first then begin moving out further until whole area is investigated. Many fly fishers do not bother to wash their hands in the same waters they fly fish in, this practice takes your scent off the flies your throwing and helps give you and edge. Trout, salmon have highly developed olfactory organs, when they smell you your finished. Have you ever watched a fat boy come out of nowhere head straight for your fly and in the last few feet turn and bolt? Trout are put off by thick lines, wrong flies, noise, vibrations, your shadow, your casting movements and anything that disturbs their natural order. Stealth my friends, stealth and more stealth will serve you well!

In conclusion late season fall can be your most satisfying fly action of the season if your careful and practice absolute stealth and respect for the natural order. One last suggestion, after sifting and sorting out stream bed material from resident insects, take home a sample of whatever insects you find. Let this sample dry out and attempt to duplicate or bench tie with an eye on color and size, of course if the sample is still alive leave it where you found it.

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“ ADVENTURES OF FLETCHER QUILL “