Autumn Presentations

First off, I apologize for missing last week's tip. I got to participate in the America Cup, an international fly fishing tourney in Colorado. I am proud to report that American teams swept the medals, which is really great considering the stiff competition coming from the international teams that included great anglers and even a world champion. Congrats to all those that participated.

The Rocky Mountain weather (including heat, rain, and even snow) at the Cup reminded me that Fall is here. Just thought I'd mention two of my favorite fall tactics that worked this last weekend:

I really like to fish terrestrials and droppers at this time of year. Although it's starting to cool at night, many bugs like hoppers, beetles, and ants are still out and are as big as they are going to get this year. I love tossing big hoppers (size 10 or even 8) and I usually use a copper john, rainbow warrior, lightning bug, surveyor, or other heavy and flashy attractor nymph as a dropper. Remember to target grassy undercuts and other banks or likely areas where insects fall into the water along with likely looking seams and pockets. Hoppers will be in the areas with grasses on the banks and ants and beetles will be in the more forested areas.

The second tactic that I really love in the Fall is streamer fishing. Brown trout and brook trout get really aggressive as they search out spawning locations and rainbows and other species really start to feed more aggressively in preparation for winter. Look for water temps in the 50s and focus on medium depth feeding locations with medium currents near shallow riffly spawning locations. I really like zonkers, orange blossom specials, slumpbusters, and other bright bugger type flies. Try fishing these across currents with an erratic swinging motion that allows the fly to cross in front of fish.

Take advantage of the great scenery and aggressive fish and get out on the water this Fall.