Fall

Fall Trout In Southern Ontario

fishfinder
leaf-reel

Fall in southern Ontario is a great time.  Although the end of September brings the end of resident trout season, this time of year can be one of the best for finding big browns.  Brown trout, and brook trout both spawn in the fall.  These species take on some amazing colours as they prepare to spawn, and they also begin to feed heavily knowing that a long, cold winter is just around the corner. Generally speaking, you want to use big flies for big browns.  These fish don’t get big simply by feeding on tiny nymphs and flies.  They get big eating such things as mice, frogs, smaller trout as well as any other baitfish that may call the same

Spring Wiggler Steelhead and Salmon

admin
spring-wiggler-steelhead-fly

The Spring Wiggler has been one of my main flies for steelhead and salmon.  I’m not sure if its because it does a good job of imitating Hexagenia nymphs, but I know one thing….it works and it works well.  I remember a day out on a local stream in November.  It was cold and very bright.  This fly managed to bring 4 coho salmon and one migratory brown trout to hand that day. The Spring Wiggler fly pattern is also an excellent choice for resident trout fishing in Ontario. [singlepic id=21 w=500 float=center] Hook size 10 nymph hook Thread 6/0 any natural colour Tail and Overbody squirrel tail Body tan dubbing Hackle Short Cock Hackle Head thread Weight optional

Black Stonefly Stimulator

admin
black-stimulator-fly

Around the end of March, black stoneflies begin to emerge on rocks in streams.  This is also the time that steelhead begin to enter rivers in the spring to make their annual pilgrimage to their natal, headwaters streams.  Although most fish won’t be looking up for their food just yet, often they can be teased with a well skated dry fly. Black stone flies will be present through June and even beyond in many places, so keep a few of these patterns in your fly box all season long. [singlepic id=40 w=500 float=center] Hook various sizes of stimulator hooks Thread black 6/0 Tail stacked elk hair Abdomen Hackle black dry fly hackle Ribbing gold wire Body black dry fly dubbing

Golden Stonefly Stimulator Fly Pattern

admin
stimulator

Once the end of May and the beginning of June are here, my go to fly pattern for large trout is the golden stonefly stimulator pattern.  These are big, bushy flies that have many uses.  Not only will they imitate large stoneflies well, but they also imitate grasshoppers, beetles, bees and even small mammals such as moles that may fall into the river.  Keep a good inventory of these bushy fly patterns in your fly box all summer long. [singlepic id=38 w=500 float=center] Hook various sizes of stimulator hooks Thread brown 6/0 Tail stacked elk hair Abdomen Hackle Red Cock Ribbing gold wire Body yellow dry fly dubbing Wing Stacked Elk Hair Thorax Orange dry fly dubbing Hackle grizzly Head