If you've been thinking that August is the time to put the fly rod away and wait for fall, don't. This can be one of the most rewarding times of the year to get out, particularly because many anglers start looking ahead to September and miss some of the great fishing happening right now.
Bass: Take Advantage of the Last Stretch of Summer
Bass fishing continues to be excellent, and this is a great time to take advantage of the remaining summer conditions.
We're getting toward the tail end of the traditional summer pattern. The days are still warm, the water is still comfortable for bass, and we're not yet dealing with the significant cooling that will eventually change their behaviour. If you've been wanting to spend a day throwing poppers, frogs and other topwater patterns, now is a great opportunity to do it.
There is also something particularly enjoyable about this time of year because the weather is generally settled enough that you can spend a full day on the water without worrying about the dramatic changes that come later in the season.
That said, bass patterns are going to start changing soon. As water temperatures begin to fall and the days continue to shorten, fish will gradually transition toward their fall behaviour. For now, though, there is no reason to rush into that transition.
Enjoy the summer pattern while it lasts.
Trout: Don't Assume August Means the Season Is Over
Trout fishing has also been very good lately. I was out this past weekend and found some excellent fishing, and there are still plenty of opportunities available on our rivers.
We've talked quite a bit recently about the importance of fishing small, natural flies in the low and clear water conditions that are typical of August. Dry flies and nymphs remain excellent choices, and if you're dealing with particularly clear water, subtle presentations should still be your first choice.
But we've had some rain recently, and that's something worth paying attention to.
Even when our rivers don't rise dramatically after a rainfall, they can pick up a little bit of colour. That slight stain can actually create some of the best fishing conditions you'll see all summer.
When the water gets just a little bit coloured, trout become less wary. They don't have the same ability to scrutinize your fly from a distance, which gives you an opportunity to introduce a little more colour, contrast or flash into your presentation.
I was fishing in exactly those kinds of conditions recently: low water, but with a bit of stain. Rather than going completely natural, I found that small, lightly presented flies with some colour or a hot spot could be extremely effective.
It's a good reminder that fly selection should always be dictated by the water in front of you rather than simply following a calendar.
If the river is clear, stay small and natural.
If there's a little colour in the water, don't be afraid to add some contrast.
Don't Overlook Small Streamers
The same principle applies to streamers.
This isn't necessarily the time to reach for your biggest, heaviest streamer. Many of our rivers are simply too low to make that approach particularly effective.
Instead, try smaller streamers in the 2- to 4-inch range, particularly patterns with a little flash or colour.
That combination can be particularly effective when the water has picked up some stain. The fish are more willing to chase, but the low water still means you need to keep your presentation relatively subtle.
It's all about matching the size and profile of your fly to the amount of water you're fishing. A big streamer that might be perfect after a major rain event can simply look out of place in a small, low summer river.
Early Salmon and Migratory Trout Are Arriving
The other big story right now is the beginning of the fall migration.
We're seeing increasing numbers of salmon entering our rivers, and we're also starting to see some very early migratory trout. That includes some brown trout and even the occasional steelhead.
It's still very early for these fish. You're not going to find huge numbers spread throughout every river just yet, but that's part of what makes this period so appealing.
The fish that are showing up are fresh, bright and extremely powerful, having recently come in from the lake. And because we're still early in the season, you're also likely to encounter considerably less angling pressure than you'll see once September arrives.
For anglers who enjoy swinging flies, nymphing or simply exploring a river looking for the first fresh fish of the season, this can be a fantastic time to get out.
Every additional rainfall we receive should push more fish into the rivers, so the next few weeks are going to be very interesting.
One important thing to remember, however, is that these early fish aren't evenly distributed across the province.
Some rivers receive their first fish much earlier than others based on their temperatures, flows and connections to the Great Lakes. You can have fish showing up in one river while another nearby river doesn't see its first meaningful push for several more weeks.
If you're specifically looking to target early salmon, migratory brown trout or steelhead, choosing the right river is going to be a major part of your success.
Water Temperatures Are Improving
Perhaps the most encouraging part of the current forecast is the overnight temperature.
We're still seeing warm daytime highs, but overnight temperatures are dropping into the low teens in many areas, with some locations reaching 10 or 11°C.
That's extremely important for our trout rivers.
As the nights get cooler and longer, our rivers have more opportunity to shed heat. We're now reaching the point where some rivers can maintain suitable trout temperatures throughout much more of the day.
In many places, you may be able to fish well into the afternoon, sometimes until 2 or 3 p.m., depending on the river and the specific weather conditions.
Of course, this doesn't mean you can forget about water temperature.
Bring a thermometer and use it.
Conditions can vary significantly between rivers, and even within the same river system. Check the water when you arrive and continue checking throughout the day. As a general practice, checking every 30–60 minutes is a good way to make sure you're staying on top of changing conditions.
The same applies when targeting salmon and migratory trout. Some rivers may be cool enough to fish safely throughout the day, while others may become too warm during the afternoon.
If temperatures climb toward 20°C / 68°F, it's time to stop targeting trout and other cold-water species.
Don't Sleep on August
The biggest takeaway this week is simple: don't write off August.
It's easy to get caught up in the anticipation of September. We start thinking about salmon, steelhead, fall trout and cooler weather, and it can feel like August is simply the waiting period before the "real" fishing begins.
But there is a lot happening right now.
Bass are still providing fantastic summer fishing. Trout are benefiting from cooler nights and rain. Salmon are beginning to enter our rivers, and the first migratory trout are starting to appear.
And perhaps best of all, a lot of anglers aren't paying attention.
If you can get out on the water right now, you may find that you have considerably more room to yourself than you will in a few weeks.
The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and fall is coming quickly. But there are still a couple of weeks of excellent summer fishing ahead of us.
Get out there and make the most of it.
If you need help figuring out where to fish, what species to target or what flies to bring, get in touch with us at Drift Outfitters. We'll be happy to point you in the right direction.
