If things go as planned, I'm already on the water today while you read this. The Steelers played Thursday night, so I'm taking a Sunday off from football and spending it on the river. Hopefully I can share stories and photos from today's outing next week.
Flows on Central Pennsylvania streams have been good so far this Fall. We are now entering one of my favorite times of the year to fish. Cooler nights signal it's time for the adult browns to move back into the feeding lanes in preparation for the upcoming spawn. Bug activity also picks up as the October Caddis begins to emerge.
The fall is not only one of the most beautiful times of year to be on the river, but it can also be one of the most productive.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
This Week's Tip
Give Trout Something to Find
Once fall leaves begin to sink, a clean drift can become hard to come by. Your fly may be moving through the water alongside leaves and other debris, and a size 18 Pheasant Tail can get lost in the mix.
When that happens, I’ll try a larger nymph or one with a brighter hot spot. An Eggstacy egg is another option. Its color and fuller profile give trout something to pick out among the leaves. I’m still fishing the water where I expect them to hold, but I want my fly to be easier to notice.
If a dead drift isn’t drawing attention, I may add a little movement by lifting the fly at the end of the drift or giving it a brief twitch. Fall is also a good time to fish a streamer. You’ll still catch some foliage, but when small flies seem to disappear, try giving the trout something they can find.
Reading Water
I like water with some muscle. Strong current, rocks, and pockets are part of what draws me to nymphing. I love the energy of water splitting around a boulder and coming back together downstream, and the challenge of finding the calm in the chaos.
But when you’re looking at a jumble of currents, it isn't always obvious where to make your first cast. This week’s article takes a closer look at riffles, runs, and pocket water, including the subtle features that give me a starting point. I share how I choose a target, work upstream one lane at a time, and use each drift to figure out what to adjust next.
I use UV Wader Repair to fix pinholes and small leaks in my waders. It’s simple to apply and takes much less time than waiting for Aquaseal to cure. Just apply it to the damaged area and expose it to sunlight or a UV light. It cures in seconds and stays soft and flexible. For small repairs, it’s a convenient way to stop a leak and get back on the water.
As a Firehole Outdoors Ambassador, I trust their products for the flies I sell and the flies I fish. The hooks are laser-sharp, and their tungsten beads are top quality. I use pair 516 Euro Nymph/Perdigon hooks with Slotted Tungsten Stones in a variety of sizes to make sure I'm ready for any situation on the river.
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