Fall Fishing Tips · Fly Guide · How To · Sep 20, 2023

Transitioning Tactics: A Guide to Fall Fly Fishing and 5 Flies to Make Your Autumn Angling Unforgettable

Fall is a season of change with vibrant colors painting the landscape and cool winds whispering through the trees. For fly fishers, it’s a magical time to be on the water. The fish are aggressively feeding before the long winter ahead, and conditions can be perfect for some incredible action on the rivers and streams.

Unlike the summer months, when lighter flies and subtler tactics may prevail, the autumn season calls for a distinct approach. Water conditions shift, and the food menu for fish diversifies, necessitating a change in tactics that can vary considerably from those employed during the summer months. In this post we will delve into these unique aspects of fall fly fishing. We'll explore the essential tactics you'll want to adapt for autumn angling and highlight five indispensable flies that promise to elevate your fall fishing adventure into a memorable experience.

Tactics to Keep in Mind: A Seasonal Comparison

1. Find the Food

Fall: With the approach of winter, fish are in full-on feeding mode to build up their energy reserves. They'll be found in places rich with food—think riffles, deep pools, and undercut banks where aquatic life is abundant.

Summer: During the summer, fish are spread out more and can often be found in shallower water, where they have cover from vegetation and structure. However, they might be more selective in their feeding due to the abundance of available food.

2. Use Stealth

Fall: Autumn often brings clearer waters, especially after the algal blooms of summer have subsided. This makes trout and other species more sensitive to disturbances. Utilize lighter tippets, approach cautiously, and make delicate casts to avoid spooking the fish.

Summer: The often murky or algae-filled water in summer may allow you to get away with heavier tackle and less stealthy approaches, although it's never a bad idea to be as discreet as possible.

3. Watch the Water Temperature

Fall: As water temperatures drop, fish metabolism slows down. They might not move as much but are more likely to bite if you present an irresistible fly. Be vigilant about water temperatures and adjust your tactics, perhaps slowing down your retrieve or focusing on deeper pools where fish are likely to be.

Summer: In contrast, higher water temperatures in summer mean fish are more active but also more stressed, particularly trout. You'll often find success during cooler parts of the day like early morning or late evening.

4. Pay Attention to Hatch Patterns

Fall: The insect life will be undergoing a shift, with mayflies, caddisflies, and midges still prevalent but in different varieties than those in the summer. Adjust your fly choices to match the local hatch.

Summer: Summer hatches can be prolific, but the types of insects will differ. Terrestrials like grasshoppers and ants can be particularly effective during the hot months.

5. Adjust Your Casting Techniques

Fall: With leaves falling and sometimes cluttering the water, you may need to adjust your casting to avoid snags. Roll casts or bow-and-arrow casts can be more effective in these conditions.

Summer: The more open canopy and less debris in the water usually allow for a wider range of casting techniques, including standard overhead casts.

By understanding these nuances between fall and summer fishing tactics, you can adapt your approach to make the most out of your time on the water, no matter the season.

Top 5 Flies for Fall and How to Use Them


Woolly Bugger	Parachute Adams	Egg Patterns	Flashback Hare's Ear	Zonker

1. Woolly Bugger

When to Use: This is a great all-around fly that works throughout the fall season, especially when fish are less selective.
How to Use: Cast upstream and allow it to drift naturally through the current, mimicking the movement of a leech or small fish.
Why It’s Great: The Woolly Bugger's versatility enables it to simulate a wide range of food sources. This makes it a go-to fly in the fall when fish are feeding aggressively to build energy reserves for the winter.

2. Parachute Adams

When to Use: Best for clear days when you see fish actively rising to the surface, indicating they're feeding on airborne insects.
How to Use: Aim for a natural drift over the target area, typically where you see fish rising.
Why It’s Great: The Parachute Adams excels at simulating midges and mayflies, which continue to hatch in the fall. Its design allows for a natural float, making it irresistibly lifelike to fish.

3. Egg Patterns

When to Use: Use this fly during spawning seasons in the fall, especially when you know fish like trout and salmon are laying eggs.
How to Use: Cast into deep pools and runs, allowing the egg pattern to sink close to the bottom.
Why It’s Great: Fish focus heavily on eggs as a food source in the fall due to the spawning season. This fly taps into that natural feeding behavior.

4. Flashback Hare's Ear

When to Use: Ideal for days when fish are less active on the surface, typically when the weather is cooler.
How to Use: Employ a sink-tip line to ensure the nymph gets down to where the fish are holding in deeper pools and runs.
Why It's Great: The Hare's Ear Nymph is a versatile fly that mimics a range of aquatic life stages. This makes it particularly effective in the fall when fish are less choosy about their diet.

5. Zonker

When to Use: Best used when targeting larger, more aggressive fish, which are more common in the fall as they feed to prepare for winter.
How to Use: Cast across the current and retrieve the streamer in quick, short strips to simulate the erratic movement of a wounded baitfish.
Why It's Great: In the fall, predatory fish are keen on chasing bigger meals like baitfish. The Zonker Streamer excels at triggering these aggressive feeding behaviors.

By understanding when and how to use these top 5 flies, along with why they're particularly effective in the fall, you'll be well-equipped for a successful fly fishing season.

Anglers have the opportunity to experience some of the year's most rewarding outings on the water durning the fall season. Adjusting your tactics to suit the seasonal behaviors of fish can make a significant difference in your success rate. Whether it's adapting your approach to stealth and water temperature or selecting the perfect fly to match the fall hatch, there's a unique thrill to mastering the art of fall fly fishing. So grab your rod, tie on your chosen fly, and head to the river for an unforgettable fall fly fishing adventure.