Fall seems a little early this year, what happened to Indian summer? Fishing on the lakes when the weather turns can be hit and miss so watch the weather forecast. Some of the best fishing can be found during the calm conditions between low fronts. Raw weather doesn’t necessarily mean poor fishing but it is a test of your pain threshold! Layered clothing will save a lot of grief, remember you can always take it off but if you don’t have it with you, you can’t put it on.

Don’t expect fish to feed in one spot all day long. Food items are scattered and not as numerous as in the spring and so trout will move around. If you haven’t seen any action for half an hour it’s time to move. Sunny days will stir backswimmers to fly, but even if you don’t see naturals in the air it’s worth trying a boatman pattern. Fish a sinking line, pulling the fly down with an erratic, jerky retrieve. Hang on tight the takes are often very fast and hard. There are some chironomid emerging and if you find a good sample with the throat pump, match the hatch to enjoy spring –like fishing in the fall. When you see fish cruising the shoals they are looking for shrimp. A pair of polarized sunglasses will help you spot these trout burrowing in the marl. A shrimp pattern or micro-leech hung from an indicator right on the bottom will do the trick. Use maximum stealth to sneak within casting range, let the fly settle and look for side-ways movement of the indicator to tell you when a fish has picked up the fly. In shallow water it’s just like bonefishing, you may catch one or two but spooked fish will move away and so must you.

The hardy fly fisher can have good fishing right up to freeze up, pick your days, dress warm, move around and enjoy the last of the season.