Hey anglers – Chris here with your fishing forecast for the weekend of August 6th! We hope you had a relaxing long weekend and are gearing up to get back out on the water. Last weekend’s cooler temperatures made for some great trout fishing conditions, and we even saw early signs of salmon beginning to move into the rivers.
But now, summer heat is back, and that means it’s time to switch gears. Here's what to target, what flies to use, and how to get prepped for the exciting fall salmon season ahead.
Trout & Salmon: Time for a Break
With warmer weather returning this week, we highly recommend giving trout and salmon a break. Rising water temps can put serious stress on coldwater species, so now’s a good time to rest those fisheries and let them recover.
That said, the cooler temps last weekend were a reminder that fall fishing is around the corner. Now is the perfect time to prep your gear, check your fly boxes, and make sure you're ready for when the salmon really start showing up over the next few weeks.
What to Fish This Weekend: Focus on Warmwater Species
With the return of stable, warm weather, this weekend is ideal for targeting bass, musky, carp, and other warmwater species. These fish thrive in August conditions, and we’ve got some great recommendations for flies and tactics below.
Best Bass Flies for August
Bass fishing has been open for over a month now, and on many lakes, pressure is building. That means fish are getting smarter — so downsizing your fly selection can be the key to success, especially for fly anglers who have the ability to finesse presentations in ways conventional anglers can't. It pays to have a mix of both lager, louder flies for the days they're feeling aggressive or on less pressured lakes, as well as downsized presentations for when the fish need some convincing.
Loud Flies for Aggressive Fish:
- RIO Shimmy Frogs – These flies have been lights-out for us. They dive briefly below the surface before popping back up, mimicking the erratic swimming action of a frog. Plus, they’re very weedless, making them perfect for fishing shallow structure.
- Drunken & Disorderly (Tommy Lynch) – Great for covering water quickly and making noise to attract active bass.
Subtle Flies for Pressured Fish:
- Squirrel Leeches – Small, snack-sized, and hard for bass to resist. Great streamer option for picky fish.
- Mini Bluegill Bugs – Excellent for calm conditions and topwater fishing in pressured areas.
Get Ready for Salmon Season
Don’t wait until the salmon are already here — get ready now. Most anglers forget to prep until it’s too late, but early preparation means you’ll be first on the water with the right gear when the fish arrive.
Top Flies for Early Salmon:
- Woolly Buggers & Egg Sucking Leeches – Ideal for swinging or drifting under an indicator. Stick with dark colors like black and purple in sizes 2 to 4.
- Egg Patterns – A staple for salmon. Go with bright colors like chartreuse or orange. Use a range of sizes from #12 to #6, adjusting based on water clarity and flow.
Make sure your boxes are stocked – you’ll be glad you did when those fish push in.
Whether you’re unsure about what flies to tie, where to fish this weekend, or how to prep for salmon season, we’re here to help. Get in touch with the shop anytime for advice, tips, or to stock up on flies.
