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Summer Fly Fishing
Summer Fly Fishing can fluctuate greatly based on location and weather patterns. Often you can find yourself faced with extremely finicky fish and low water conditions. The Trout have been fished over long and hard for several months now, and while still a productive time to be on the water, staying consistent sometimes calls for a few different techniques.
First things first, please let the water temperature and flow dictate if Trout fishing is an option or not. Many waters are greatly influenced by Summer weather, and if it is a particularly warm and dry season, your local waters may be too hot to Trout fish. Take a thermometer with you, and be sure that you are fishing water that is of a reasonable temperature. If Trout are showing signs of stress, switch your tactics and try for Smallmouth or some other species for the day.
If the temperature is viable for a day on the water, early mornings seem to be the best followed by late in the evening. I prefer mornings as the water has had all night to cool, and the Trout really seem to take notice and increase their activity. My patterns of choice are small nymph and midge patterns. Terrestrials have not become active yet, and this time of year Trout seem less reluctant to strike smaller sized patterns. Downsize your tippet as well, and try to fish Fluorocarbons to give yourself an extra edge. Some of my favorite patterns are Baetis and Blue Quill nymphs in sizes #18 and #20, as well as various Disco Midges, Zebra Midges, WD-40’s, and RS-2’s in sizes #18 and smaller. Normal dead drifting tactics work best, and if using a Strike Indicator, try to select one of a more natural color. White can be a good choice as well as it blends in with the bubbles on the water’s surface.
If there is a safe chance to fish during the middle of the day, Terrestrial fishing can be a great option. As the day wears on, Terrestrials become more active and prone to find their way to the water. There are ton of various options as far as patterns, select the pattern that best matches the predominant insect in the area. Also, be sure to cover as much water as possible as Trout seem to strike Terrestrials on the first few drifts or not at all. When you do get a strike, they can often be quick and violent so stayed prepared at all times.
Just before dusk can be a good time as well. The water is just starting to cool and the Trout seem to take notice with increased activity. If there is a hatch present, select a pattern to match. If not, switching back to the same morning nymph patterns is a good option. Here again, I prefer to stay with smaller patterns then at earlier times of the year.
Again, please use caution in selecting where and when to fish this time of year. Fishing over Trout that are stressed from high water temperatures is never a good choice. Try to land and unhook fish as quick as possible. Best of luck over the next few months of Summer fishing!
Tight Lines,
Kory Van Tassel
www.theflystop.com
Reprinted courtesy of TheFlyStop
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Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore