I love fishing for trout in the autumn season because the scenery is so bright and colorful. Right now, I can imagine the scenery along the Virginia Creeper Trail in Virginia, but alas I am at the computer in my office that I refer to as the “Glory Hole”.
I just received an email from Trout Unlimited with a tip for October fly fishing from my good friend Chris Scalley who operates River Through Atlanta Guide Service. Chris has fished many of the famous trout streams in the world, but prefers guiding on the famed Chattahoochee River where he learned fly fishing as a youth.
Chris had this tip for October. “Crisp air and autumn foliage make October a great time to be on a trout stream. But those bursting fall colors can create lack of contrast on the water's surface, making it tough for anglers to see strikes from hungry trout.
To remedy this visual handicap, try using less common colors in the wings of your dry flies and on your strike indicators. I like to use various shades of greens and blues as they contrast best with the colors of fall here in the south.
And remember, dropping water temperatures will make the fish less aggressive, which makes detecting subtle strikes THAT much more important. Keep this tip in mind throughout the end of the year.”
In addition to the popular streamers and terrestrials, here are five of the best flies for the season:
1. Blue-winged Olives
2. Mahogany Duns
3. Little Yellow Stoneflies
4. Slate Drakes
5. Little Yellow Quills
And remember the best flies available are found at the Trout University Store.