We’re heading into the second-last weekend of summer, which means fall is right around the corner. This is the time of year to get out and enjoy some of the best fishing conditions of the season. There are fewer bugs around, dry flies are still producing, the fish are feeding well, and the weather can be about as comfortable as it gets. You can spend the day on the river in a T-shirt, enjoy some great fishing, and make the most of these last few weeks before things really start to feel like fall.
This weekend, we’re thinking about trout, with plenty of salmon opportunity as well.
Salmon and Migratory Trout
If you haven’t noticed, it’s been another wet week around here. That rain is continuing to push more salmon into our rivers, and every additional rainfall event can create another opportunity to find fresh fish moving in from the Great Lakes.
As we’ve mentioned in recent weeks, most of the salmon activity is still concentrated in a handful of select rivers, with many of the better opportunities currently to the east of Toronto. That said, other rivers are starting to warm up as well, and we’re seeing more fish beginning to move into those systems.
Along with the salmon, there are also some early steelhead and migratory brown trout showing up. These fish can be mixed in with the salmon and are absolutely worth targeting if you’re on the right river at the right time.
The rain is particularly important at this time of year. Fresh water entering the system can trigger fish that are staging in the lake or at river mouths to move upstream, so it’s worth paying attention to both the amount of rain we receive and where it falls. A good rainfall event can change the fishing very quickly.
When the rivers have some colour in them, don’t be afraid to adjust your fly selection accordingly. Lower visibility makes fish less wary and gives you an opportunity to fish larger, more visible patterns.
If you’re fishing eggs, mix in some larger patterns and brighter colours. The same applies to streamers and worms. Larger pink or chartreuse patterns can be particularly effective when the water is dirty, simply because the fish have a much better chance of finding them.
The Last Weeks of Trout Season
We’re also getting right into the final stretch of the regular inland trout season in Zones 16 and 17 and the surrounding southwestern Ontario waters. This is one of our favourite times of year to be on the rivers.
Brown trout are particularly interesting right now. They are fall-spawning fish, and as the season progresses they begin moving into that pre-spawn period. That can make them increasingly aggressive, particularly as water temperatures cool and their behaviour begins to shift toward the upcoming spawning season.
Add some rain and slightly reduced visibility to the equation and you have a great opportunity to go looking for bigger fish with bigger flies.
This is the time of year when I’d be perfectly happy breaking out some of those big articulated streamers, flashy baitfish patterns and larger brown-trout flies and covering water looking for a reaction. You’re not necessarily trying to imitate one specific food source. Instead, you’re taking advantage of fish that are becoming more aggressive and are willing to move farther for a substantial meal.
It can be a really fun way to finish out the trout season.
Pretty well all of our rivers are in play right now, although conditions will vary from river to river. The Grand is still a little warmer, so there is a narrower window to target trout there and even then only in particular spots.
The Credit, on the other hand, is generally in a very good place, particularly on the cooler days we’re expecting. Depending on conditions, you can spend a full day on the river and enjoy some of the last really comfortable trout fishing of the season.
And while we often focus heavily on fall conditions once September arrives, there is still plenty of summer character left in the fishing. Dry flies can still be productive, there are fewer insects and anglers around than there were earlier in the season, and the fish can be feeding aggressively.
Fishing Salmon in Higher, Coloured Water
If salmon are your target this weekend, the rain is once again working in your favour.
When additional water enters the river, it can add colour and reduce visibility. For salmon that have just entered from the lake, this can make them considerably less cautious. They are already dealing with a completely different environment as they move upstream, and a little bit of colour can give you an advantage.
The key is to make sure your flies are still easy for the fish to find.
In clearer water, you can get away with smaller, more subtle patterns. Once the river starts to colour up, don’t be afraid to go bigger and brighter. If you’re fishing eggs, carry a selection of colours and sizes. The same goes for streamers and worms.
A larger fly with stronger contrast can be much easier for a salmon to locate in dirty water, particularly when the fish are fresh and aggressive.
The important thing is to match your flies to the conditions rather than sticking with the same patterns regardless of what the river is doing.
Get Out There Before Summer Is Gone
This is one of those weekends where there’s a lot happening. We’re getting into the final weeks of the regular inland trout season, salmon numbers are building, early steelhead and migratory browns are appearing, and the weather is starting to transition toward fall without quite giving up summer yet.
If you’re thinking about trout, this is a great time to get out and enjoy the last part of the season, particularly if you want to target some aggressive brown trout with streamers. If salmon are more your thing, keep an eye on the rain and river conditions, and be ready to take advantage when the water comes up and colours over.
As always, if you need help figuring out where to fish or what to fish this weekend, get in touch. We’re happy to help you put together a plan.
We’ll see you on the river.
