Traveling to fly fish is also very common, either with a group, or individually, as when we visit family members that live in good fishing locations. Southern anglers are always looking for different venues and seem willing to expand their fly fishing experiences. In Florida, we are approaching fall fishing when light tackle action is beginning to heat up. There are some great freshwater retreats within a days drive for most Florida residents. The lush mountains, especially further north, are beginning to change into their fall mode, which in itself is a refreshing change from the constant heat and sun.
Most states offer year around trout fishing. It may be necessary to do a little research if traveling to an area for the first time. The internet makes this a snap. Begin a search with the state website, then click on their department of fisheries. License and regional information is easily accessed. If not at all familiar with an area, search the nearest community for a sporting goods/fly shop. Your favorite rod or reel manufacturer will have locations, phone numbers, and websites for stores that sell their products. Contact them and ask questions about places to fish, what are current stream conditions, where to stay, what to bring, supplies they have available, and if they have a guide service. Use them as your local contact while in the area. One friend of mine and his wife, who had very little fly fishing experience, found a full service fly shop that gave them a package that included equipment, instruction and fishing in their private, well stocked stream. They felt it was very cost effective and really enjoyed the day. They were then able to take what they learned and fish a few days on their own with much better results than if they went unprepared. Rigging your rod, type of leaders to use, current fly patterns that are working, where to look for the fish, and how to approach and cast to be most effective are all things that will be new to someone who is not familiar with freshwater trout. Many streams are on private land and access areas may be limited. Public streams that hold fish and are in good condition may be limited and difficult to reach. USGS websites will have monitors on many streams that give stream and river conditions in real time. This information has saved me from driving a distance to discover that my destination stream would have been high and muddy or low with very high water temperatures.
If you are experienced in fishing for freshwater trout, you probably have most of what is required to have a successful outing. Fall trout are beginning to feed more actively to prepare for spawning and a winter when food is not as plentiful. Summer mayfly hatches are waning and the trout will be less selective. Terrestrials, hoppers, ants, and beatles are just the ticket for finesse fishing. Streamers and woolly buggers, weighted or unweighted will take larger fish especially when fishing large streams. Some dams have cold water releases that keep streams and rivers below them in the perfect temperature range for trout feeding activity. Knowing which species of trout are in a stream is also helpful. Brook trout prefer colder water, browns can tolerate warmer temperatures while rainbow trout fall in between.
I’ve given a number of seminars about the transition from freshwater to saltwater, but it just occurred to me that I never did the reverse. Freshwater rivers and streams have definite areas that hold fish on a seasonal basis. Dissolved oxygen, available food, safety from predators, water clarity and temperature, and time of day are just a few of the parameters that must be considered. As the leaves begin to take on a pallet of colors, trout will also become much more colorful.
I have to admit, I love to explore small streams. A topographical map and a compass will allow you to take a hike with your fly rod and spend a very relaxing day in a mystical wilderness. Boots, or waders, are usually not needed as you boulder hop from one clear pool to the next seeking native trout that have rarely seen an artificial. Stealth is the order of the day because these trout are very accustomed to their environment and are always on the look out for intruders. I like to use a three, or four weight, seven foot rod with a leader as long as the rod tapered to 5X. Study each riffle and holding area before making your cast to eliminate drag and make a careful natural presentation. Almost all this fishing is accomplished by casting upstream. Practice your roll cast for accuracy, because in close quarters this will be a necessity for success.
One of the advantages of this sport is that it allows you to continually expand and delve into aspects that make this a constant learning experience. Those of you that have never tried this will be pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it will be. If it has been some time since you fished sweetwater for trout, you will get in touch with your youth. Streams that I fished with my father and friends many years ago offer a trip down memory lane that is unbeatable.
A FFF certified fly casting instructor, Capt. Pat Damico, spends most of his time guiding fly and light tackle trips in the Tampa Bay area. More information is available at www.captpat.com.
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