The weather more than anything dictates how the fishing will be this time of year. I had a good fishing client who used to joke that he wanted to book me for every day in September but we would only fish the cloudy days. Looking out my window right now I see clouds and I know today would be a good day to be on the water. The clouds help the fish feel more comfortable as it’s harder for prey to see them from above, anglers and Osprey alike. This means they feed more aggressively, chasing streamers and rising to dry flies. The cloudy weather also produces much better may fly hatches. You can expect good afternoon hatches of both Blue Winged Olives and Mahogany Duns.
If you’re fishing all day I would start out with a hopper/dropper rig or streamers. If you’re in a driftboat have the angler in front start with their favorite foam hopper pattern trailed by a BWO nymph. The angler in the back should throw streamers. You’ll be learning a lot about what works this way. If all goes well sometime just after lunch you should be able to throw small dry flies in riffles, foam lines, and soft water banks. On the heavy water banks may fly nymphs and emergers will pull fish.
The forecast is looking perfect this weekend for some excellent fall fishing on the South Fork of the Snake River. When you’re on your way to the river swing by our Swan Valley Fly Shop for the Fall Sale. We have select items up to 40% OFF, it’s a great time to gear up. The fly shop is open seven days a week from 8:00 – 5:00.
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