Fall is on a roll, though recently the Southern Tier is enjoying a nice stretch of 'Indian Summer'. Nights are definitely cooling down and daytime highs barely squeak into the 70's. This, in turn is beginning the process of turnover in many ponds and cooling lakes, rivers and streams.
With fall comes a bevy of local fly fishing events. Fly shops, in particular, are eager to re-energize anglers for the fall fly fishing season. Following is a run-down:
As covered here previously, the West Branch Angler is holding its Fall Fest 2.0 on Saturday, October 5th. This event features a fly fishing gear sale, fly tying demonstrations, fly casting lessons, and a BBQ to boot! Keep in mind, one can attend some or all of this event and still get in some great fall fly fishing on the West Branch of the Delaware.
A&G Outfitters, profiled here before, is once again offering FREE steelhead fly tying lessons. The sessions start on Thursday, October 10th at 6 pm at the shop and will be held every Thursday after that up to and including October 31st. If interested, RSVP to the fly shop: 570-489-1650. And due to popular demand, A&G is offering another Steelhead trip to the Salmon River. This trip is scheduled for December 4, 5, & 6 and includes instruction, free lunches, 2 nights at the Double Eagle Lodge, tackle accessories, and rods and reels available for use, all for the $350. Space is limited - contact the fly shop if interested.
And finally, a fly shop not previously covered - The Beaverkill Angler - a full service fly shop located in Roscoe, NY will be holding 'Troutoberfest 2013'. This is just one of many events the fly shop offers for fly anglers. Stay tuned for details in the next week about this great fall event.
Fishing reports are generally very good, depending on the species pursued. Following is a summary:
- The largemouth bass and panfish bite is definitely slowing down. It is still there, but activity is slowing with cooler water temps. Those anglers set on catching some late season bass are best to concentrate efforts at the end of warm days.
- Smallmouth bass fishing is better thanks to dropping river levels and improvements in water clarity. As of this writing, the upper Susquehanna (Windsor), Tioughnioga, Chenango, and Chemung rivers are all fishable. Clarity is great on the upper Susquehanna and getting there on the other rivers. Where there is still murk to the water, use dark colored or bright colored flies. Keep in mind that even at this time of year, dry flies or nymphs can produce well. October Caddis have been coming off in the evenings and the bass will rise to these flies, sometimes to the exclusion of all other offerings.
- Salmon fishing continues to be good to excellent. The Douglaston Salmon Run reports that wooly buggers and egg-sucking leeches are the ticket right now for salmon, while single egg patterns are best for steelhead and browns.
- Trout fishing is reportedly good in most local waters. Browns are not quite there with aggressive spawning behavior but the high releases on the West Branch has improved the streamer fishing. Those same high releases have the river flowing on the edge of safe wading, but great for floating. The freestone rivers are low and clear as is the East Branch of the Delaware. Olives, Iso's, Light Cahills, Caddis, and some flying ants are the main hatches right now.
The weather in the week ahead looks like more typical Indian Summer. We should see high temps in the 70's with cool nights in the upper 40's to low 50's. Some rain is in the forecast for Sunday at 40% right now. Remember that 2013 fishing licenses for NY expired on September 30. NY licenses for 2013 are yellow and are effective October 1.
