By Zach Lazzari

Late season fly fishing means cold water temps, shorter days and slower pace on the water. Anglers can expect freezing temps, and the fishing will shift into full winter mode. This crossover season is often difficult as the fish adjust feeding patterns and holding zones based on the unpredictable conditions. Although the weather can swing from full blown sun to raging blizzard, the late season is a great time to power through the elements and chase down a trophy trout.

Gear Up

If you plan on fishing for more than an hour or two, bring a full pack and throw in some layers and gloves. You might be wearing short sleeves one minute and a winter coat the next. This is especially important on float trips and hike-in trips where you are hours from the vehicle. I’ve had a few trips turn miserable because I underestimated the weather.

The late season can deliver BWO hatches and midges that call for light tippet and small flies. That said, if I have to choose one fly rod, it’s a 6-weight. I use a floating line most days and carry a short sinking head for streamers. On some days however, it’s a sink tip and streamers all day with a 6 or even 7-weight rod. In this case, you are rolling the dice on a big fish. The floating line system is more versatile and makes it possible to transition between dry flies, nymph rigs and streamers but the sink tip is aggressive and worth the effort when a big fish moves.

Read the Temps, Find the Fish

Water temps dictate where the trout sit and how they act in the late season. It’s an odd time of year because you may still find fish holding in a shallow riffle but they will also drop into deep, slow tailouts. It’s not always dependent on the water temperature in the exact moment either but more on the temperature swing and consistency. A sudden, dramatic drop in temperature will essentially shock the fish and push them into slow water while a gradual decline will keep them more active in a variety of water types. When the temperature dips below 50-degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to shift your focus towards the slower stuff and protected pockets where the trout aren’t expending much energy in their holding patterns.

Calories are the Key 

Calories are critical, especially for brown trout in the late season. The spawn is taxing and the bigger browns are especially prone to attack a large calorie source regardless of water temperature or condition. This is why a dedicated sink tip is worth the time. You aren’t likely to catch a high numbers but a brown trout that is seeking a calorie rich meal to recover energy might strike when it wouldn’t otherwise. If the streamer game isn’t happening, dead drift a big stonefly nymph with a trailing general attractor nymph through the tailouts until something connects. I typically don’t switch to a dry fly game unless I visibly see fish eating on the surface.

Recommended Rods

For late season nymphing with the option to throw streamers or even an occasional dry fly, look no further than the all-around performing JXP 6-weight. This rod has the backbone to deliver heavy rigs, yet enough finesse and senstivity to play big fish on extremely light tippet.