Bert Swope
Autumn is one of my favorite times to be in the wilderness. The weather is reasonably settled, the leaves are brilliant shades of red and yellow, and the days are long enough to still have some decent adventures. Wary creatures are not as aggressive and trout are beginning their spawning run. During this time, the scenery can be truly spectacular.
How to fish for trout in the fall?
Fall is a great time to fish for trout. Fall leaves, windy days, and other defoliating conditions bring a variety of insects and other organic matter to the water. This food source is essential to trout in the fall until the hard freeze. Fly fishing in this time of year means that you will need a fly that will attract these flying creatures. To attract them, you will need to use olive emergers and olive dries.
When fishing for trout in the fall, you will want to work the different water features. You should try to pass your lure close to key cover and current seams. You also want to avoid staying in one spot for too long. This is because trout react to lures and may spook. If you keep repeating the same presentation, you will have a hard time catching any trout.
The fall is also an excellent time to target large brown trout. You can also use streamers to target these fish. Streamers and nymphs present flies beneath the surface. They can be a good choice for fishing during this time because they play on the aggressive nature of the trout.
Where to fish for trout in the fall?
Fall is one of the best times of year to fish for trout. The water cools and trout move into shallower water to spawn. Fall winds can blow in insects, which makes fishing near shore a great idea. The best time to fish for trout during the fall is early in the morning or at twilight.
Fall fish often feed on larger food, so try using larger lures. You can also stick with duller natural colors for this time of year. You may also want to use heavier split shots when fishing nymphs in deep runs. Fall trout are most active in these pools and will likely take up nymphs.
Fall fishing is also the best time to fish for terrestrials. Trout will feed on a variety of insects. The land-based bugs are often the best food source for trout in the early fall. You can also try terrestrial bug imitators in river eddies. Trout will be more likely to take these insects if you fish them in areas with stronger currents.
In the fall, trout will begin to migrate to spawning areas. They will still swim in the main channel of rivers, but they will be near deeper pools, undercut banks, or feeder streams. When fishing for trout in fall, you’ll need to be stealthy and use downsized lures to avoid being spooked. The lure should have a slight motion and be unobtrusive.
What do trout like in the fall?
Fall is a great time to fish for trout. During the autumn, the rivers are not as crowded, and you can find fewer people on the banks. During the summer, you may have to stand in line for your turn to fish, so fall is a great time to go fishing.
Trout in the fall feed on terrestrial insects that fall to the water. Because aquatic forage is minimal during the fall, trout feed at tailouts and shady banks. In these places, the current is narrow, funneling the food directly into the fish’s mouths.
In the early fall, trout feed primarily on terrestrial bugs, which are land-based insects that fall to the water. These bugs can come in a variety of sizes and are a favorite fall food for trout. Rooster tails and streamer imitations are good choices for catching brown trout. Brown trout are not as delicate as their rainbow cousins and don’t downsize. They still defend their territories aggressively.
Water temperature is another issue to consider when fishing for trout in the fall. Even though the water temperature is still warm during the summer, trout will become active when the days get shorter and nights are cooler. In the fall, the water begins to “turn over,” a process that makes the surface water cooler. This helps the trout conserve energy and remain persistent even without rain. This allows the fish to move up to the surface to feed and will make for plenty of action for you.
Do dry flies work in the fall?
While summertime dry-fly fishing may be the most popular method, fall is also a great time for fishing. Stream levels drop, rivers are lower, and trout are more wary than in the blanket hatch. Consequently, dry-fly fishing requires stealth tactics, longer leaders, and careful wading. BWO patterns work well in autumn, and the Sparkle Dun is a good choice.
In autumn, the most effective dry flies imitate the hatching stage of nymphs and other insects that are emerging from the water. Several olive-colored mayflies are perfect for catching autumn-spawning trout. In addition, they are also great imitations of midges, mayflies, and caddis larvae.
While the weather is milder, fishing can be challenging. Trout will be more likely to take nymphs and streamers. However, some river systems still provide occasional dry-fly action in October. If you pay close attention while wading, you can often spot trout that are inactive.
The size of your dry fly leader and tippet are also important. Make sure your leader is no more than three times the size of the tippet. This will give your fly a more natural presentation and make casting easier. If the difference between the tippet and the leader is too large, it can tangle and make the fly difficult to fish.
What flies should I use for trout in fall?
The fall season brings high water, fast currents, and a more aggressive trout. Without the right flies, navigating these waters can be difficult. Choosing the right flies to match the conditions can make the difference between a successful catch and a missed opportunity.
Midges represent 50% of the diet of trout. A lightweight zebra midge is a favorite for autumn trout fishing. A simple nymph is another great choice. These patterns imitate small fall bugs like mayflies. They are also multi-purpose.
When the temperature drops in the fall, trout feed on a different diet. Unlike during summer, sculpins are smaller than their summer counterparts. They can be three or four inches long and vary in coloration according to the bottom of the river. Typical colors include brown, green, and black. Olives and caddis are no longer the main hatching prey for trout.
Egg patterns are effective at attracting trout and are an excellent choice for nymph fishing. Egg patterns are often fished during fall or winter seasons, but they also work well in warmer months when the weather is not as cold. The Blue Winged-Olive (BWO) mayfly is the most common species to hatch during the fall in Colorado. Choosing a size 18-22 BWO is a good choice for autumn trout fishing.
Look For The Strongest Flow
The best time to fish for trout in the fall is during a strong flow. During this time, the water temperature will be close to its summer high. When this happens, the trout will be more active in the water. They will feed on the surface and will be attracted to shiny, watery surfaces.
The fall flow also gives the trout a chance to feed on small hoppers and beetles. The fall weather can also cover the water in debris, which is not easily detected by trout. To attract these trout, try using streamers, hoppers, or beetles.
While fishing in high flows, use common sense and be aware of the surrounding area. Don’t forget to note the temperature and adjust your approach accordingly. Also, fish can move up the bank during high flows, so be alert when wading or floating. Often, many anglers choose to fish within the first three feet of the bank.
Whether you choose to fish on a small or large river, it is important to select the right eddy to match the conditions. Streams with low flows are not as conducive to fishing.
Trout use shade as cover for protection
Autumn trout use shade as cover for protection during the cooler months. As the photoperiod and water temperature start to fall, the fish will begin to look for suitable overwintering habitats. They can be found in the deep shade of trees or in shrubs close to the water.
This study examined movement patterns of resident bull trout and westslope cutthroats in two headwater tributaries of the Bitterroot River in western Montana. The study compared differences in the use of winter habitat at the microhabitat and channel unit scales.