Fall Fishing Tips: 8 Effective Flies for Fall Trout Fishing

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Fall. The time of year where leaves begin to change, temps begin to drop, and water begins to cool. Fall is a favorite amoungst many and is also known for being a great time to fly fish for trout. With the season shift, fly fishermen also shift with the conditions throwing effective flies for this time of year. If you are primarily a trout fisherman or someone looking to dive into becoming a troutbum, it is important to know when certain flies are more effective than others. In this tips and tricks video, Orvis legend Tom Rosenbauer illustrates his 8 favorite trout patterns for the fall season.

Tom’s Top 8 Fall Trout Patterns:

Lynch’s D&D (Down & Dirty)

  • Great for large brown trout
  • When pulled, this flies dives
  • Best used with sinking or sink tip lines
  • Also great when used with a high sink rate poly-leader with heavy tippet

Cone Head Maribou Muddler Minnow

  • Makes disturbance in the water
  • Can be fished with floating or sink tip lines
  • Cone head allows for a quick sink rate

Griffith’s Knat

  • Midge emergers and dries are very active in the fall and the Griffith’s Knat is a perfect imitation.
  • Midge’s vary in size but smaller flies seem to work better
  • Also imitates small mayflies

Olive Sparkle Dun

  • Vary in size anywhere from 18-24
  • Very abundant hatch this time of year.
  • Popular around the US in multiple different states.
  • Imitates an adult and an emerger

The Killer Bug

  • Basically yarn on a hook
  • Vegetation tends to break up in the fall and scuds and sow bugs tend to move around
  • Very simple to tie and sinks well
  • Perfect for spring creeks

Zebra Midge

  • Resembles generic sources of midge larvae and pupa
  • Sinks well and is effective everywhere
  • Range in size from 14-mid to high 20’s

Hot Spot Pheasant Tail

  • Best tied on a jig barbless hook
  • Rides on the bottom and rarely snags
  • Contains a hot spot collar to key fish in on the fly
  • Usually used along with the euro-nymphing technique

Tongue Head Quill

  • Similar to the Hot Spot PT
  • Skinny profile with a slender body
  • Sinks quickly and resembles a mayfly

Once again, fall is such a great time to hit the water and enjoy what fly fishing has to offer! Fill your box with these 8 flies for trout and you will be set for just about anywhere in North America. Don’t be afraid to ask around to see what is working but large streamers, midge, and mayfly patterns are perfect! Get out and enjoy this time on the water, tight lines!

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