Fall Fly Fishing Gear Guide

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As the summer season winds down, fall knocks at our front door bringing blistering winds, colder temperatures, unique river conditions, and ample angling opportunities. Tired of summer crowds and high sun? Skeptical about fishing in windy weather? Fall turns many anglers away from a fly rod and toward skis, shovels, and pumpkins. That doesn’t have to be you. Trout begin spawning, midges and insects populate the river, and fishing for trout in shallow water can be quite productive. Anglers can often find trout feeding on aquatic insects in shallow riffles. Why sit at home when you can capitalize on a great time of the year on the water? Proper layering goes a long way in keeping you dry and comfortable on the water. Here are a few layering suggestions to help battle cold temps this fall.

Layering

One of the largest changes brought on by the fall season is weather; forget about your summer wet-wading tendencies, t-shirts, and sun hats. Water temperatures plummet and streams change drastically. To maximize fall fishing experiences, it’s important to have gear that is durable and warm, high-quality and functional. Proper layering is imperative. Perhaps most important when considering how to stack layers is moisture management. While most waders are “breathable”, on-water perspiration is inevitable. Sweat can cause cold, clammy discomfort if not wicked away from the skin properly. Here’s how to design a layering system that will manage moisture and keep you warm and comfortable in cold weather.

Socks:

Having the right socks is the first line of defense against cold, damp river outings. Synthetics and wool work well. Stay away from cotton socks, they work to absorb and trap moisture and will likely lead to uncomfortable outings on the river. Socks like the Simms Merino Midweight OTC will help regulate your body temperature by wicking moisture, helping you stay nice and dry.

Mid Layer:

A mid-layer should provide insulation while continuing to wick water. Fleece is a great option for breathable warmth and should be included as a mid-layer below and above the waist. We like the Simms Fjord Pant. Depending on the temperature, this layer can be doubled to provide increased warmth. Cotton is comfortable and great for everyday wear but stay away from anything cotton on the river as it collects water and loses its insulating capability when wet.

Outerwear:

Your outer layer should act as a barrier to the elements. Rain, snow, wind and most other fall/winter conditions should be kept out by your outer line of defense against weather. Outerwear takes many forms, however, with proper mid-layer insulation a durable, GORE-TEX rain jacket worn over your waders does the job well and cuts down the fall elements before they can cause discomfort. I like the new Simms G4 Pro Jacket; the G4 Pro is rugged and abrasion resistant, highly waterproof, and sheds the elements, perfect for the fall angler.

Gloves:

Gloves are an important fall fishing tool, too. Similar to the logic of base layers, gloves should dispel water to quickly dry wet hands in cold weather. Foldover mitts are nice if you plan on spending full days casting in cold weather because of the ability to flip the mitt up for casting and down for knot tying etc.. The Simms Wool Half-Finger Glove doesn’t provide the extra warmth of a foldover mitt but is a personal favorite in the moderate cold because of its gripping capabilities and durable wool design.

Flies

Streamers

Fall is a special season for trout anglers, especially those who like to chuck meat. This is when big brown trout look to pack on extra pounds before their annual late fall spawn. Be sure to have a variety of streamer patterns in various colors on hand. Kelly Galloup-style articulated streamers like the Sex Dungeon are some of our favorites to throw. They have good movement, push a lot of water, and trigger voracious eats. If your trout season typically ends as the weather cools, you owe it to yourself to get out and target these pre-spawn carnivores.

Blue Wing Olives

Fall isn’t just for tossing streamers. While the large mayfly hatches of spring and summer’s terrestrials are long in the rearview mirror, surface activity doesn’t wholly subside as the weather cools. Blue Wing Olives play a prominent part in a trout's diet, and a dreary autumn day can produce blankets of BWOs. This is excellent news for the angler looking for some top-water action. While many may dismiss them for their diminutive size, others take advantage of their prominent numbers, uncrowded rivers, and, most importantly, a trout's eagerness to rise to them.

Junk

You don’t have to be an experienced streamer junky or technical wizard to get out and catch fish. Many states restart their stocking programs once the water temperatures return to suitable levels for trout. With a fresh batch of fish in the rivers, fall is the perfect season for newbie anglers. The great thing about these stockers is their eagerness to eat just about anything. Remember, until this point, they have spent their entire lives eating pellets and, subsequently, haven’t learned to act like a trout quite yet. The good news is that drifts can be less-than-perfect, and you don’t need a dual Ph.D. in entomology and Latin to catch fish. Squirmy Worms, Buggers, Eggs, Mops, anything is fair game to these naïve gluttons!

Fly Rods

Steamer Slingers

Trout streamer popularity continues to grow thanks to the likes of Blane Chocklett, Mike Schultz, and Kelly Galloup. Fly rod designs have changed to keep up with the demands of throwing bigger streamers and heavy sinking lines. It’s no surprise that the anglers mentioned above have designed rods built for heavy lifting, like the G. Loomis NRX+ Swim Fly and the more affordable Echo Streamer X. Other favorites include the Sage Payload, Winston Alpha +, and T&T Exocett SS. While six-weights have historically been the go-to for streamer fishing, an ever-increasing number of anglers, especially out west, are reaching for seven-weights. You can read more about picking the perfect streamer fly rod here.

Dry Fly Wizard Stick

For fall hatches like blue wing olives, you need the complete opposite tackle from fishing streamers. These bugs are tiny and require lighter tackle from tippet to line weight. We prefer a moderately fast four-weight for several reasons, including the ability to present flies more delicately, protect tippet, and more precise mends. Our favorite technical trout rods include the Sage Trout LL, Scott G Series, Winston Pure, and Thomas & Thomas Paradigm.

Packs

It’s no secret that weather during Autumn is often unpredictable. While we mentioned the importance of having a waterproof shell, you will want to have a waterproof pack to keep your flies and other essential items dry. The Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Sling Pack has been a go-to for years now. For the lumbar pack angler, Fishpond makes a submersible version too.

Conclusion

These tips will keep you warm and comfortable this fall season. There are plenty of fish out there waiting to be caught, and, in fact, fall often produces some of the largest fish of the season. October brings the famed October Caddis in the western U.S., fantastic opportunities to fish streamer patterns, and sometimes hatching mayflies or a late-season spinner fall. What’s better than a mean brown trout bulking up for spawn, a colored up brook trout, or a chrome steelhead straight in from the ocean? Not much… and certainly not hot chocolate around your wood stove.

Pick your spots, grab your fly box, load it with fall patterns, and get out there on your favorite fall river. The feeding fall trout will make your trip worth it. And with the proper gear, this time of year sure can be worth it.

Questions about products listed here or other products on the Trident website this season? Want more info about fall fishing? Call us at the Trident headquarters at (888) 413-5211 or email us at [email protected].