This will be my very first report. In these reports, I am going to be sharing information about what is going on within the stream so that you can fish for trout in a way that is in-sync with what is going on. Right now, the spawn is on! Brown and Brook trout are spawning or have already spawned, so eggs and alevin are likely to be present within the stream. I usually try to limit my fishing in Oct-Nov for this reason. This time period typically, aligned with Fall migration of Striped Bass and Fall trout stockings events. I will often get my trout fix fishing for some stockers in non-reproducing streams.
However, let's think about what is occurring within our streams right now. Eggs like these are in the gravel and will slowly be growing into alevin (egg-yolk stage trout). The pictured eggs are about a month old.
However, let's think about what is occurring within our streams right now. Eggs like these are in the gravel and will slowly be growing into alevin (egg-yolk stage trout). The pictured eggs are about a month old.
As fall progresses to winter the alevin will become fry and will soon be able to get out of the way of a wading fisherman.
If you are fishing right now this is some interesting information. Fish are spending a lot of time and energy on activities other than feeding, so they are hungry! Why not imitate trout eggs and alevin? While I am not a fan of fishing "Cheater Flies," I do not mind fishing an egg pattern in the Fall/early Winter because it is a natural forage at this time of year. I like to think about how the young of the year are progressing and imitate that life stage as I am fishing. The fish are eating eggs or alevin now, will transition to eating the fry, and eventually even some very small parr stage fish.
So, 'matching the hatch' this time of year is less about bugs and more about fish. Dead drifting Egg or Alevin patterns is killer right now. Small streamers dead drifted or small streamers losing the battle with the current are a good bet as well.
Most insect hatches occur in the Spring or early Summer. Adult forms of many of the insects that occur in the stream do not persist as adults for long, they reproduce and die. If the majority of the insect assemblage reproduced in spring or early summer, you can be certain that there is a high abundance of larval insects in the stream. However, with few hatches on the horizon, many of those larval insects will not be readily available for trout. So, if you are imitating insects, I would be mimicking larval/nymph stages of both caddis and mayfly that have randomly lost grip with the substrate. I would focus my fishing low within the water column and try to keep my nymph rig close to the streambed.
Localized hatches are occurring (mostly midges) on warmer days so I would be ready with some small (20+) dark color dry fly midge patterns. These little micro hatches can be a lot of fun if you are set on catching a few fish on a dry fly.
As always, there is no wrong way to fish the river if you are catching fish, but I like to think about what is going on and fish accordingly. When I first started fishing Egg and Alevin patterns I was super excited to add, yet another, lifecycle to my fly box. Give it a go I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
As always, there is no wrong way to fish the river if you are catching fish, but I like to think about what is going on and fish accordingly. When I first started fishing Egg and Alevin patterns I was super excited to add, yet another, lifecycle to my fly box. Give it a go I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Recommended Flies:
Eggs/Alevin, Small Streamers, PT Nymphs, Caddis larvae
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