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Ah, September. The days are getting shorter, and crisp mornings remind us that autumn is quickly approaching. It’s streamer season for trout anglers in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s time to prepare your fly box accordingly. If you’re unsure which streamer patterns to load up on this fall - you’re not alone. Streamer selection can be one of the most confusing topics for new and even veteran anglers. Luckily, this article is just for you. Below, we’ll discuss some of our favorite streamer patterns for September, why we like them, and when you should fish them. Like any fly selection, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to streamers, so read on to learn about some of the most effective streamer patterns for fall trout fishing.

Sculpzilla

The Sculpzilla was introduced by Ray Chang in the early 2000s, and was one of the first widely popular articulated streamer patterns. As its name suggests, the Scuplzilla’s wedge-shaped profile imitates a Sculpin. It features a heavy cone head to sink quickly, a hen saddle collar to represent pectoral fins, and a zonker strip tail that wiggles and flutters in the current. The Sculpzilla’s deadliest feature is its octopus stinger hook, which seems to hook more fish than any other stinger hook I’ve fished. This is a fantastic pattern for fishing in swift, high-gradient rivers where flies need to get down quick to be seen. If you know there are Sculpins present, you’ll definitely want a few Sculpzillas in your fly box this fall!

Learn how to tie the Sculpzilla HERE

Baby Gonga

The Baby Gonga is the little sibling of the larger Double Gonga streamer pattern, invented by innovative tyer Charlie Craven. This smaller articulated pattern sinks quickly, and is easy to cast thanks to its clever use of polar fiber as the head material. Although it is available in a variety of colors, my best success with the Baby Gonga has come in the tan color, which mimics a juvenile Brown Trout extremely well. If you’re headed to a river system that has predominantly Browns and not much for Sculpins or other baitfish, the Baby Gonga should be a go-to pattern, especially in September when the Browns are getting more territorial.

Sparkle Minnow

Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow is all about FLASH. There’s nothing subtle about this gaudy streamer that’s designed to reflect as much light as possible. I’ve had the most success with the Sparkle Minnow on bright, sunny days when many anglers wouldn’t even consider throwing a streamer. The key is to strip this fly fast, forcing aggressive fish to chase it down and commit to attacking it. It’s also a great choice for tannin or stained water conditions, as it can still be seen when light penetration is lower. Lastly, it’s one of the most fun streamer patterns to fish because you can see it very well, contributing to a more visual experience. For bright September days, tie on a Sparkle Minnow and give hungry trout a meal worth chasing down.

Learn how to tie the Sparkle Minnow HERE

Slumpbuster

A simple pattern from legendary tyer John Barr, the Slumpbuster is little more than rabbit strip, flash, and a conehead on a hook. Because of its simplicity to tie, it’s become a popular guide fly for Trout, Bass, and even many saltwater species. Depending on the color, a Slumpbuster can imitate everything from a baitfish or Sculpin to a Leech or a Crayfish. It can be stripped fast or slow, swung, jigged, or dead-drifted. If you’re streamer fishing in a new area this fall, the Slumpbuster is one of the best prospecting patterns out there!

Mini Dungeon

When it comes to well-known streamer fly tyers, Kelly Galloup is at the top of the list. His original Dungeon was (and still is) extremely popular, but its large size can lead to refusals during the fall, when water temperatures are lower and trout are more lethargic. Because of this, Kelly created the scaled-down Mini Dungeon, a 2.5-inch articulated Sculpin imitation. Because its head is spun deer hair, it is easy to cast and can be retrieved much slower than other streamers of this size. The Mini Dungeon is a great option for slower water, or fishing with a sinking line when you want a neutrally buoyant pattern.

Lunch Money

In rivers where baitfish are common, the Lunch Money does a wonderful job of imitating their tall, thin profile. This simple single-hook streamer pattern is a guide favorite for its short list of required materials and ease of tying.  Available in a handful of colors and weights, the Lunch Money can mimic everything from Crayfish to juvenile Trout, Smelt and Shiners. This is a great pattern for anglers who fish upstream of larger lakes or reservoirs, hunting for those giant fall-run Browns!

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