After a summer spent battling crowds, hot weather, and traffic to catch a trout on blue ribbon waters, autumn brings well-deserved rewards to those who’ve endured patiently. The changing seasons bring many perks to those who persist, and there are plenty of reasons that make late August, September, and early October among our favorite months to hit the water. From vibrant foliage to less crowded waters, here’s 5 reasons why we’re excited about the upcoming season.
Escape the Crowds
There’s nothing worse than a tuber (or a group of tubers) floating through your perfect fishing hole. What’s even worse is when this happens every five minutes! With the kids back in school and summer vacations out of the way, outdoor activities like tubing, kayaking and white water rafting become less frequent occurrences, allowing you to take advantage of less congested traffic.
Catch Fall Colors and Clear Water
Autumn is, in our opinion, the most beautiful time to get outdoors – especially in Colorado as the aspens start to turn. There’s no better way to take in the changing foliage than during a relaxing day of fly fishing. We recommend combining a nice hike, or even backcountry camping with your fly fishing activities, making a Tenkara rod, or another rod that collapses down into something packable a perfect choice. While falling leaves create more debris in the river, low and clear water conditions make it easier to sight fish for trout. Trout are also more likely to spot you, so avoid wearing bright colors and do your best to blend in.
Beat the Heat
Scorching summer days generally mean ideal fishing conditions are found early in the morning and later in the day, once the water temperature has cooled down. However, the consistent and cooler temperatures of autumn days allow fly anglers to enjoy more time with their lines in the river — comfortably. And as the water temperature begins to plummet, trout transition to feeding throughout the day rather than seeking refuge from the mid-day heat. This means that you can sleep in a bit later. Just be aware of your lengthening shadow as the sun travels south. By crouching on the bank and casting farther out, you’ll avoid spooking a rising fish.
Hook Into Sweet Deals
Off-season rates for guides and lodging, especially as we get deeper into fall, help make a fall-time fly fishing excursion a bit easier on the pocketbook. You may find there’s also less competition for recommended local guides, so it’s the perfect time to learn your way around a new river. To celebrate the arrival of fall, we at AvidMax offer up some great deals during our annual Labor Day Sale, making for a perfect time to stock up on gear. During the fall, weather conditions can swing pretty dramatically. Therefore, you likely need a mix of summer time gear as well as baselayers and jackets to keep you warm should the weather turn from warm to cold, and from sunshine to rain or even snow.
Mix It Up With A Variety of Fly Patterns
A colorful, mixed fly box works well in the fall. Whether you like the rush of watching a rising fish take your dry fly, the appeal of a hopper, or prefer to mix it up with streamers, autumn is the season to try it all. Streamers attract angry brown trout looking for a protein-packed snack, and dying insects such as Trico spinners on the water’s surface result in dry-fly activity that mimics the spring hatch. Spawning trout also make the season ripe for egg patterns, if that’s your cup of tea. Just remember, brown trout, who spawn in the fall, have worked tirelessly to create their spawning redds. Tread carefully to ensure that the next generation of browns have the opportunity hatch and thrive.
We’ll See You on the River
Autumn is about change. So while adapting your strategy is key, some of the less appealing aspects of fly fishing — hot days, crowded waters, early mornings — begin to fade away like the last moments of summer. As mentioned earlier, to celebrate the coming of fall, gear up for your next adventure by checking out our Labor Day Sale today. We look forward to seeing you on the water!
