EARLY SUMMER FLY FISHING TACTICS
We’re all looking for bugs and dry fly action right now but often during the early part of the summer season water temperatures are still chilly.
Of course this depends on how runoff has shaped up, daily precipitation, whether you’re fishery is a tailwater or freestone and daily/nighttime temperatures.
That said, one common consideration and tactic to help you catch more trout during the early season never changes. Look for fish in all water types and not necessarily always faster currents and riffles.
Early season caddis and mayfly hatches can be sporadic causing trout to move more frequently to accommodate their needs. In the mornings, when water temps might be a couple degrees cooler, trout may be laying back in runs and pools. And in the late afternoon and evenings they may push up into faster runs and riffles as bug activity increases.
Trout laying back in runs and pools my still be feeding but in a more opportunistic way. Trout positioned in riffles are specifically there to actively feed.
Yesterday on the Kootenai river this dynamic was absolutely evident.
When I shoved off it was overcast, chilly, and there was no bug activity. I decided to start the day with a #12 purple chubby with a #16 Uke’s brown perdigon. We slipped into the first riffled and my angler made a great cast right into the sweet spot. I expected an immediate eat. Nope. Nothing. I pulled hard on the oars to hold for a few more casts and same result. Nothing. I let the boat slide, ferried across to the bank and headed down a boulder garden run with walking speed current and about four feet of depth.
My angler made a cast ahead of the boat and we started to let it hunt. His flies traveled about ten yards and then his chubby disappeared. “Hit it!” I hollered. (I still get very excited with every strike). Sure enough a minute later we had a nice bread and butter 14” Kootenai rainbow in the net. For the next several hours the action was steady in the runs. And for the most part, action was void in the riffles.
At about 2:00 pm a few caddis started popping out of faster currents and riffles. Sure enough, we started getting eats in riffles more consistently than in runs. It was very evident that trout were moving into the riffles and faster currents to actively feed. During the late afternoon and evening I concentrated mostly on fishing riffles and it paid dividends.
By keeping in mind how much trout may move in the early season and by adjusting your tactics to accommodate, you will often catch more fish.
Give us a call anytime at 406-295-4872. And check out our online shop for all Linehan Outfitting and Orvis gear. https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/
Tim Linehan with angler on Kootenai river.
