By Jimmy Harris
I don’t know about other anglers, but I enjoyed about as much of summer as I could stand this year. Seriously, in October, we were looking at the hottest days of the year. No, I take that back. They were the hottest days of all time! I’m sorry but when the streams are low, it’s 98° and the sun’s beating down on me all day, I can frequently talk myself out of going fishing. Oh, I’m still fishing a couple times each week, just not out there on a daily, or even every other day, basis. If I’m not having fun, I’ll find something else to do.
But we all know anglers are the ultimate optimists. After the toughest of days on the water, we’ll make just one more cast thinking, “This could be it!” And if it isn’t, then we’ll make one more cast. That’s optimism!
All complaining aside, fall is here now so let’s talk about how to make the best of it. First of all, there is a lot of activity in the animal world right now. Bucks are getting stupid going into the rut. You can quail hunt without watching every step for a snake. Squirrels and rabbits no longer have wolves under their skin that gross you out. It just feels good!
In the fishing world, we’re looking at some of the best times of the year for anglers. Delayed Harvest streams have re-opened in Georgia and North Carolina. Brown trout are beginning to think about spawning, and stripers and hybrids are back on the surface on area lakes. While the shoalies are no longer hitting topwater, they can still be caught by going deep as they put on weight to get them through the winter.
So, what’s your approach? Early in the season, the Delayed Harvest streams will find most of us throwing stuff like Woolly Buggers with an egg on San Juan Worm dropper. If our timing is good and the weather cooperates, we may bump into a Blue Winged Olive hatch. Stripers and hybrids on area lakes can be found busting threadfin shad at the surface. A small minnow imitation fly like a Clouser or Cowen’s Somethin’ Else fished on an intermediate line just below the surface will get more strikes than topwater. Always keep an eye out for the birds.
Shoalies and other river bass are in deeper water now, so you’ll need to get your fly in front of their face. A full sinking line, short heavy leader and weighted flies like Craig Reindeau’s Harry Fodder bounced along the bottom will still work.
This is my favorite time of the year to be on the water. I hope you’ll find opportunities to get out there too.
Jimmy Harris is the owner of Unicoi Outfitters Located in Helen, GA.