It Ain't Over Yet

   Well, with high temperatures getting lower and lower, and daylight getting less and less, a lot of people are done fishing for the year. I am not one of those people. Yes, many days heading out to stand waist deep in a stream sounds like a fool's errand, but you're going to be a fool all by yourself. If you'd rather fish without any crowds, this is your time of year. A lot of people are trying to stock their freezers with venison, so they're not on the water. And with the start of gun season next weekend, there'll be even fewer. I'm not sure why so many people think that as soon as the weather starts cooling, the fishing is done. Quite the contrary. They still need to eat. They need to eat every single day; why wouldn't they be eating? Do you go all winter without eating. Sure, their metabolizes slow down so they're not really willing to chase something down, but if you put a fly right in front of them, you're more likely than not to hook into a few. But don't get me wrong, this isn't the time of year for softies; these are trying conditions. Fingers don't work nearly as well, waders inevitably leak and rocks covered in leaves are slicker than shit. 

    I took a client out this weekend for his first time fly fishing, and we had a popular river all to ourselves. We didn't see a single other angler. The leaves were turning from flaming orange and red to brown. There was definitely a nip to the air early in the morning, but the fish were still  eager to take a sucker spawn fly or a small Frenchie. So if you're like me and can't stand to spend all day indoors, head out and keep after 'em. They're ready and willing.