There’s something special about fly fishing in the fall. The crowds thin out, the air cools, and trout seem to shift into a new gear as the seasons change. Whether you’re chasing cutthroat in the Rockies, browns in the Midwest, or brookies in Canadian streams, a few universal adjustments can make all the difference this time of year.
Watch the water temps.
Trout thrive when rivers cool into the 50s, and their feeding patterns often expand beyond just the early morning or late evening bite. On many rivers, the best window is late morning through mid-afternoon, when water temps hit that sweet spot.
Match the fall menu.
While summer hatches taper off, fall brings reliable blue-winged olives, midges, and caddis. Terrestrials like beetles and ants can still work until the first frosts. And don’t forget streamers — as trout bulk up before winter, they’re looking for protein.
Get below the surface.
Fall trout often feed subsurface, making nymphs and egg patterns highly effective. Swinging soft hackles or emergers can tempt even pressured fish that ignore big dries.
Think streamers.
Brown trout especially get aggressive before spawning. Vary your retrieves to see what they’ll chase — sometimes a slow, deep presentation works, other times a quick and erratic strip triggers a strike. Adjust your colors too: light in clear water, darker in stained conditions.
Respect the spawn.
Browns and brook trout spawn in fall. If you see cleared gravel beds (redds), give them space. The action often happens just downstream, where trout stage to feed on drifting eggs and dislodged nymphs.
Stay stealthy.
Early fall often means low, clear water, so approach carefully and downsize your tippet. Later in the season, when rains raise flows, you can get away with heavier rigs and bigger flies.
Follow the fish.
As fall progresses, many trout migrate toward tributaries and spawning areas. In tailwaters, consistent flows keep hatches going longer, but freestone trout may move upriver or into smaller creeks.
Don’t overlook lakes.
Stillwaters come alive in autumn. Trout cruise drop-offs and shoals, feeding aggressively before winter. Streamers, leeches, and chironomids all have their moment here.
Fall fly fishing is about adapting — watching water temps, shifting tactics, and respecting the fish as they transition into spawning season. With these adjustments, you can make the most of crisp autumn days on the water, wherever you’re casting in the U.S. or Canada.