Late Season Fly Fishing Tips

Summer may officially be over and we’re moving into late season fly fishing but until the water temperatures drop, the fish don’t know it. After months of low water it pays to consider a more stealthy approach, as well as timing when on the water. 

CHRIS DORE'S FIVE LATE SEASON FLY FISHING TIPS

LONGER, AND LIGHTER LEADERS ARE A MUST

As temperatures change so will feeding behaviour, and in that period between the summertime terrestrials and autumn hatches fish will often be well aware of their surrounds. Longer, lighter leaders are just one tool, but an important tool in your belt to ensure you catch your share of fish.

MOVE SLOW AND STAY LOW

With lower angle light late in the season your shadows and movements become much more noticeable. I’ve found many New Zealand and Australian anglers to be pretty blasé with their riverside approach, so stay low, move slow, and make the most of any streamside cover such as bushes or backdrops.

SCALE FLY SIZE DOWN

While trout will still recognise the prey image of a large cicada, consider terrestrials with a softer silhouette such as the Bum Fluff Stimmie, or Swisher’s PMX style ties. Better still, look for cross over patterns such as larger parachutes and Klinkhammer flies as larger, terrestrial food items become more scarce. Unweighted nymph trailers start to shine as fish are still looking up, but may be more hesitant to commit to breaking the surface. Dry fly fiends should not fear however, the autumn mayfly hatches are approaching and there are still enough fish willing to breach the top.

THE SCHEDULE CHANGE

Whilst in the heat of summer, mornings and evenings were often the peak time for trout activity, the cooling temperatures from here on in will often see slower starts, with activity building up around mid-morning to a peak throughout the afternoon. Don’t write off the early starts however, as fresh migrations overnight mean there could be some very aggressive fish holding deep in the pools, awaiting an early morning streamer or deep, rubber legged nymph.

HUNT AROUND THE RIVER’S LOWER & MIDDLE REACHES

Trout don’t need a fresh to run and the cooler temperature changes can get fish podding up and moving through from the estuaries. These fish will often hold over in the larger pools in the lower to middle reaches of our rivers and can provide some great sport in those reaches often overlooked during the summertime headwater frenzy.

When it’s too cool for terrestrials but still a little warm for hatches the fishing can often seem a little tough, but change your locations, switch up your approach and put a little more effort into remaining undetected to make the most of what can be an epic late season fly fishing experience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chris Dore is a battle tested fly fishing guide with over 15 years of professional guiding experience, battling the demanding, ever changing conditions that our New Zealand rivers throw at us.

In 2006 Chris became one of the first New Zealanders to successfully pass the internationally recognised Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructors examination and has since taught many thousands of anglers to up their skillset.

For more in person and on river fly fishing advice and upskilling why not book Chris for a day or three?