With the arrival of fall, many of us here at the fly shop have streamer fishing on the brain. As trout pack on calories for the winter and big brown trout prepare to spawn, these fish will be opportunistically looking for big meals. Not only is streamer fishing very effective in the fall, it’s also a ton of fun.
Whether you’re fishing your favorite river, or a mountain lake or reservoir, this time of year offers the opportunity to cast big flies to big trout. But it’s not for the faint of heart. Cold and windy conditions can be the norm during the shoulder seasons. But for that chance to catch a truly big trout, it can be worth the effort – and the frozen extremities.
Why streamer fishing?
As we move deeper into fall, trout are often looking for big meals before the spawn and before winter sets in. It’s the perfect time of year to fish big flies.
Streamer fishing is also a fun change of pace. As we come off a fun summer of fishing dry-dropper rigs and terrestrials, it can feel good to change tactics and do something different.
What’s more, as the weather gets colder, streamer fishing is a style of fishing that allows the angler to cover more water and requires movement. It can get pretty dang cold this time of year, standing in a run and slogging it with a nymph rig. Streamer fishing is a great way to keep moving and keep covering water.
Fly Rods for Streamer Fishing
Like most methods of fly fishing, new streamer fanatics can get started with whatever they have – a standard 5-weight or 6-weight fly rod can get the job done. However, big flies, big fish and fighting through wind will quickly wear out an angler casting a 5-weight rod.
For that reason, we recommend 6-weight through 8-weight fly rods for streamer fishing as a general rule. On small to medium sized rivers, a 6-weight or 7-weight fly rod can be a good fit. But for windy days on our popular mountain reservoirs here in Colorado, reaching for a 7-weight or 8-weight rod will bring an advantage. It will help turn over big flies with less effort, and generally make the experience more enjoyable.
Fly Reels for Streamer Fishing
With the potential to hook into some really big fish on streamers this time of year, a solid disc-drag reel is important. That will allow you to pump the brakes on those big fish.
Larger reels will also aid with quicker line pick up. When fishing streamers, it’s common for anglers to have a lot of slack at their feet. Having a large arbor reel with the ability to pick up slack when there’s a fish on is very helpful.
Fly Lines for Streamer Fishing
Sinking lines or floating fly lines? It’s a tough question to answer because honestly, it depends. When fishing lakes and reservoirs, floating or intermediate lines can have an advantage when weed beds are still present. But later into the fall when the weeds disappear, a faster sinking line may be the way to go.
When streamer fishing on rivers, a floating line is the most versatile option. But if you’re fishing from a boat and you can easily bring multiple rods, it wouldn’t hurt to bring a second rod with an intermediate or heavier sink tip fly line.
Ideally, it will help to prepare specifically for the water you plan on fishing, on any given day. Finding a fishing report on water conditions from a local fly shop or through word of mouth can be very helpful. Then based on the conditions, water levels, or the presence of weed beds on a reservoir, you can make a strategic decision on what type of fly line to fish.
But if you’re interested in a single, versatile option that will help cover multiple scenarios, then consider fishing a floating fly line, along with a standard streamer leader, an intermediate sinking leader, and a fast-sinking leader. Those options, along with weighted and unweighted streamers, can combine to fish a variety of water types without having to carry multiple rods or reel spools.
As a general rule, the lighter the sink rate of the fly line, the longer and the heavier the fly you will need to get into the strike zone. An angler casting a 6wt rod with a full floating line might opt for a 7.5ft 3x leader with a heavier streamer like a tungsten Thin Mint or a Slump Buster. Conversely, an angler fishing a 7 or 8wt rod with a sink 5 or sink 7 tipped line can run a 3 or 4 foot leader with a lighter fly and deliver the fly to the strike zone similarly.
Fly lines can be a confusing topic, so please don’t be shy about asking for help. If you’re in the Denver area or along the Front Range, stop by one of our fly shop locations in Littleton or Denver. Otherwise, give us a call at 303-794-1104. Our team can explain the different options, and help you find the right one for your next day on the water.
Streamer Leaders
When it comes to streamer leaders, there’s no absolute right or wrong answer, and there are many good options.
One good option is to pick up a dedicated, tapered streamer leader like the Rio Big Nasty leader, the Scientific Anglers Absolute Streamer Leader, or the Umpqua Perform X HD Streamer Leader. Especially for anglers who are more accustomed to casting nymph rigs or dry fly rigs, these tapered leaders will offer an easier adjustment to casting a streamer rig.
Some real streamer junkies might tell you to run nothing but two feet of 20-pound Maxima monofilament. And while it’s true that fishing a short, stiff leader is a good approach when fishing big flies, it might be difficult for an angler who isn’t used to fishing these short, stout streamer leaders.
When in doubt, we like to recommend fishing slightly longer tapered leaders for small streamers. Then as the flies get bigger, try adjusting to a shorter, heavier leader. As a general rule, the bigger the fly, the shorter your leader ought to be. And like any new style of fishing, expect it to take some practice.
And as we mentioned above in the section about fly lines, there’s also a place in your kit for sinking leaders, like the SA Sonar Sinking Leaders. This can be especially helpful when you have an unweighted streamer that you want to sink more quickly.
Layering for Shoulder Season Streamer Fishing
Fishing the shoulder seasons on mountain lakes and rivers, requires being prepared for any conditions. And it’s probably colder than you think. Even when the forecast says it’s going to be sunny and mild, mountain winds and unexpected clouds can change things in a hurry.
Plan on wearing a pair of quality, heavy wool socks, a base layer, a fleece mid layer, and sometimes even a third layer under your waders. On your upper body, consider a base layer, a fleece or similar mid layer, and then a puffy vest.
Next, don’t leave home without a waterproof, breathable rain shell that’s Gore-Tex or equivalent. A quality rain shell isn’t only for precipitation. It’s also windproof and will block that heat-zapping breeze.
And finally, remember to protect your extremities. A hat, neck gaiter and gloves are all essentials on cool fall days.
Fly Selection
Streamer fishing often requires trial and error. So, carry a wide selection of colors, sizes and differently weighted streamers. Having some variety is critical. Start by fishing the flies that give you the most confidence. Then be observant, working through different colors and sizes as needed.
In addition to different sizes and colors of flies, also pay attention to different parts of the water column. If you’re fishing heavy flies that are sinking down low and you’re not triggering fish, you might try a light fly that’s more like a baitfish and present it higher in the water column. When it comes to streamer fishing, what works one day could be drastically different the next day. So be patient and be persistent.
Streamer Fishing Approach and Tactics
Sometimes, the right approach is simply a matter of being observant. For example, if it’s sunny you might start by fishing deeper in the water column, as the fish may not want to be as close to the surface. If the water is very clear, try starting with more muted or naturally colored flies. On the other hand, if the water is very dirty, try fishing a flashier pattern, or something with a big, deer hair head that really moves water. Start by adapting to what you can see and observe. Then adjust from there.
Don’t just stand in the same spot. Even though you may have come the week before and caught a bunch of fish in a specific spot, don’t expect the same thing on a different day. As conditions change, so do the fish. If you’re not getting action, keep looking.
In addition to moving and keeping up the search for fish, also think about changing up the way you’re retrieving your streamers. Don’t go and do the exact same thing on every cast all day long. Experiment with how the fly swims. For example, when streamer fishing on a river, you might let the swing engage immediately, moving the fly high through the water column. But on the next cast, put an upstream mend into the line. That allows the fly to drop a foot or two deeper and then let it swing through the same run.
Likewise, when fishing on Stillwater, change up how you strip your streamers and experiment with different rhythms and speeds. Often, an angler will make a few casts in one spot and assume they’ve fished it. But until you’ve covered different depths and tried different types of retrieves, you may be missing opportunities. Changing the retrieve can help you find what triggers the fish to strike.
Like anything in fly fishing, one of the fun things about fishing streamers is experimenting and trying different techniques in different types of water.
Contact Us With Questions
If you have questions or need help getting started, please don’t hesitate to ask. If you’re in the area, visit us at Anglers All fly shops in Littleton or Denver. Otherwise, you can give us a call at 303-794-1104. We’d love to help you feel prepared and confident for your next day on the water!