I just returned from a great trip to Montana filming some new fly fishing shows and a new DVD related to still water fly fishing techniques. The cooler days here are most welcome.
September to November fishing days are my favorite times here on the White River system. The Trophy Browns have fattened up and are now on the upstream urge to find the zones that they will settle during the spawn period.
If there is any time that you can nail that trophy of a lifetime, it is now as those fish travel. Browns instinctively know that the colder winter periods reduce the food base within the system and feed hard both during the day and night time periods.
They also become very aggressive to lesser forms of life at this time, being territorial by nature, and any interference by other fish within that zone will result in a attack to ward them off. Smaller fish may well be eaten, and that's a clue for suitable flies to use at this time.
Streamers, large surface fished flies and wet flies are all on the cards to promote a trophy fish to take your offering. The majority of these fish will be found tucked up close to shorelines. Females holding eggs dislike fighting the current; so they look for slow shallow zones, moss beds and structure. Males will be on patrol looking for a female with which to pair. You never know where you may nail one of those guys. In fact, this week l have seen more than 50 Browns caught by my fisherman---many in the 15 to 22 inch range.
Either dry line or intermediate lines are in my book the way to go here, regardless of the type of fly you use. In fact one of my deadly tactics is to use an intermediate with a large dry such as a hopper, stonefly, or stimulator cast to the shoreline. The fly will float for a good while until downstream drift and the line will cause the fly to sink at which time you strip it back to you. Takes may come as the fly remains static or when you strip the sunk fly, as a rule within 6 feet of the retrieve. I lost a monster last season fishing this way, due to shoreline vegetation. l do not believe the fish are fussy so far as the fly you use either. We nailed 21 fish Monday fishing this way, and a bunch more way downriver Wednesday, including some better Bows.
Over and above that, we will see as a rule more surface activity from all species. Midges, micro caddis, BWO and terrestrials will all be evident during this month on the water.
So expect good top water action during the day, particularly early and late. In fact, the last two hours of fishing can be unreal after the blue sky of the day departs or days when we have good cloud cover.
No surface activity, then ring the changes. Outside of trophy zones double up with both dry and nymph, fished dead drift mode, both surface to bottom. Within trophy zones, use generics such as PTN, GRHE, Chironomids, caddis larva, and flies of that nature. Streamers and soft hackles fished across and down are also good tactics at this time of the year.
Both BSD and Norfork typically fish well at low water with chironomids, micro soft hackles, scuds and sows. l am not an egg man myself; but egg flies are also a good option of choice along with SJ Worms for high water.
Given the number of Trophy Browns and fish over 20 inches l have seen this year, expect some very good fishing. Trophy Bows over 20 inches are hard to find these days; but there are fish of that caliber out there, although few and far between.
Tight lines guys.
Davy Wotton.
