Fly Fishing Ontario in the Fall

My favorite time of year to fly fish Ontario is late summer and early fall. The rivers and streams are quieter as most people have gone back to work and the waters seem to be extra clear.

The fall hatches in Ontario involve smaller insects that you typically find in the spring. Fishing with tiny flies keeps some fly fisherman away, but don't let it intimidate you. The fish have the same appetite in the fall as they do earlier in the year. This simply means they need to eat a larger number of these tiny insects.

Because the water can be so clear in the fall, becoming a stealth angler is extremely important. I like using a long light leader in the fall. One that is tapered to 7X. This will fool most fish in the stream and the leader will easily thread a fly of size number eighteen.

When using a fly of this size, you need to be careful when you set the hook. These flies are tiny and setting them with exuberance can cause you to lose many fish (and flies).

One of the reason’s I love fly fishing Ontario this time of year is because the fish seem to be “smarter”. I know that sounds crazy, but these fish have been avoiding fly fisherman all season. They are still around for a reason. When I land a brown trout or brook trout in the fall I always let them go. I just can’t find myself to keep a fish during the spawn and I know they will be there for me in the spring.

If you have never taken a fly fishing trip to Ontario in the fall, you are selling yourself short. Come north and see what you are missing.

Thanks for reading.

Good fishing.

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