September opens the door for everything that is good about the anticipation of a great fall ahead for mountain trout fly fishing. Everything starts to happen in the month of September; the days are starting to shorten-up, late afternoons start to cool down, and fish sense a change in conditions as summer really starts to let go of its grip.
September is our autumn, and this means that the promise of stocked catch and release waters is just around the corner. More information about our state’s delayed harvest (DH) will be coming in October, but just remember that there is an eight month catch and release season not too far away now that starts on October 1st. This day marks the beginning of our fall DH season and offers quite a bit of public water that is stocked and managed for catch and release fishing. More about that in October, but just know that October 1st is not that far away, so look forward to it. But we are in September and you need some information.
Brown trout start to seek their spawning grounds at some point this month, and they really move into our tributaries (up them) to spawn heavily in October. But, they get spunky in September. Both stocked fish and wild browns start to get the spawn itch in September, and when you catch one you will see their pre-spawn colors. Probably some of the most beautiful reds, oranges and yellows you will ever find on a cold-water fish. Take note of these color patterns and skin designs when you move a small or large brown to the net in September. Their colors are starting to come on fire, and this only increases in October.
This means that brown trout start to get their stupid hats on in September. Brown trout are notorious for never ever being stupid, but this prespawn way of thinking really takes them to some places in a river that they would normally not be found. Take advantage of this, and be on the lookout for a brown on the move and in wide open spaces the next time you are fly fishing in your favorite haunt. Don’t overlook the small ones either. They also get frisky in September and start their roaming behavior. Wild browns are often seen in riffles and tail outs of pools where they would never be seen in daylight hours during September.
Now for the September Forecast:
Caddis is the name of game for September. Get very focused on pre-fall caddis flies. The larvae and pupae take on a dark green mucus color (I mean nasty green colors) in lieu of the spring lime green color that we see every April through June.
The caddis flies will be dominant at the end of the day. They will be darker in color, cinnamon and brown, and will be emerging like wildfire late in the day. Plan on swinging soft hackle caddis swimmers in riffles and fast water for the ultimate in action and heavy strikes. Remember, October marks the beginning of our Delayed Harvest, so just a few more weeks left for making that first trip to your local public trout fishery for some C&R fun with the fly rod.
Rob Domico (704-896-3676) is Owner/Operator of Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters in Cornelius, NC where he and his guide staff has provided fly-fishing retail and trip services to clients for 15 years. rdomico@aol.com | Carolinaflyfishing.com, Facebook – madisonriverflyfishingoutfitters
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