This weekend brings a great mix of opportunities across southern Ontario, with salmon and other migratory species beginning to spread through more river systems, trout fishing continuing to improve, and bass still providing excellent late-summer action. With cooler nights and plenty of rain throughout August, conditions are lining up extremely well for the transition into fall.
Salmon and Steelhead: It's Basically September
One of the biggest things I want to emphasize this week is that August 26 is no longer "early" to be thinking about salmon and steelhead.
There's sometimes a misconception that because it's still technically August, we're still several weeks away from the fall migratory season. That's simply not the case.
We're getting right into it.
Earlier in the month, we were talking about early salmon and migratory trout showing up in a handful of select river systems. Now, we're seeing those fish spread into many more rivers, and that trend is going to accelerate as we move into September.
The biggest factor is water temperature.
We're starting to see significantly cooler overnight temperatures, with lows around 12°C this Friday night in much of southern Ontario. That's a substantial drop from the temperatures we've experienced throughout the summer, and those cool nights can have a dramatic effect on river temperatures.
We've also had a very wet August. While there's not a tremendous amount of rain immediately ahead of us this weekend, the ground and river systems are coming into this period with plenty of moisture already in them, and there's more rain in the forecast for next week.
That's exactly what we want to see heading into the migratory season.
More rain and cooler temperatures mean more suitable river conditions and, eventually, more fish moving out of the Great Lakes and into our rivers.
Why Fish Now?
If you've been waiting until September to start salmon fishing, there's a very good reason to get out there now instead.
The fish we're seeing at this point in the season are fresh, aggressive and incredibly strong.
These early fish have only recently entered the river system. They're still bright, powerful fish that haven't spent weeks fighting current or dealing with angling pressure.
You also have another major advantage right now: fewer anglers.
As the season progresses and fish numbers increase, more people will begin targeting them. Right now, however, you can potentially find some excellent fish without dealing with the crowds that will arrive later in September.
Of course, not every river is going to fish equally well right now. Some systems receive their first fish considerably earlier than others, and there are definitely some standout rivers at this point in the season.
If you're looking to get out for salmon or other migratory species this weekend, it's worth getting some local information before choosing where to go. Stop by the shop or give us a call and we can point you toward the systems that are currently producing.
Trout Fishing Is Getting Really Good
While salmon are getting most of the attention right now, trout fishing is also excellent.
And it's only going to get better as we move into September.
September is probably my favourite month of the year for trout fishing. The water conditions are typically excellent, daytime temperatures are comfortable, and the bugs are considerably less annoying than they can be earlier in the season.
We're also getting into one of the best combinations of conditions for dry-fly fishing.
The big change we're seeing right now is that many rivers are no longer limited to a short morning window.
For example, on the upper Credit, recent water temperatures have remained below about 17.5°C, meaning we're getting into conditions where you can comfortably spend the entire day targeting trout.
That's a huge change from earlier in the summer when we were carefully watching temperatures and often had to be off the water by late morning.
Now you can head out in the morning, fish through the afternoon and really enjoy a full day on the river.
Of course, continue carrying a thermometer and checking temperatures throughout the day. Conditions can vary from river to river, and even from day to day. But overall, we're heading in a very positive direction.
Dry Flies and Terrestrials
Dry-fly fishing continues to be a major part of the game right now.
On rivers like the Credit, Isonychia are definitely worth paying attention to. These are relatively large mayflies and can provide some excellent dry-fly opportunities when they're active.
Terrestrials are also still an excellent choice.
Ants, beetles and grasshoppers remain important food sources for trout as we move through late summer, and they're particularly useful when you're not seeing a major hatch happening.
As we get deeper into September and temperatures continue to fall, we'll also start seeing more Blue-winged Olives.
That means it's worth starting to think about your smaller mayfly patterns as well. We can get some very good BWO activity later in the season, particularly when cooler weather and cloudy conditions create the right combination.
So if you're tying flies for the next month, now is a great time to make sure you've got a good selection of both terrestrials and smaller mayfly patterns.
Bass: Time to Downsize
Bass fishing isn't going anywhere just yet.
In fact, late August can be a really interesting time to target them.
After a full summer of fishing pressure, many bass have seen plenty of large streamers, poppers and conventional lures. Water levels are also generally getting lower, and fish can become considerably more cautious in clear, shallow water.
That's where downsizing can really pay off.
If you've spent the summer throwing a 7- or 8-weight with big flies, this could be a great opportunity to try something different.
Grab a 6 weight, step down your tippet and start fishing smaller flies. Small streamers, crayfish patterns, nymphs and even smaller dry flies can all be extremely effective.
It's also just a fun way to fish.
A smaller rod and lighter leader can make a 1-2 pound bass feel like a completely different fish, and you'll often find that downsizing gives you access to fish that have become wary of the larger presentations they've been seeing all summer.
This is particularly effective on clear-water fisheries where bass have had plenty of opportunity to learn what looks suspicious.
As always, if you need help figuring out where to go or what to fish this weekend, get in touch with us at Drift Outfitters. We'll be happy to point you in the right direction.
