September Dry Fly Question

[Lance]

Quick question! I'm traveling to VA this upcoming week for work and will be coming back home to Ohio through PA via the the turnpike Friday. I'd like to try to get some dryfly action if possible mid to late Friday afternoon but don't normally get out in mid September often and not sure how realistic that is. I would think terrestrials /attractors should still be in play. Are there any other things that I should be thinking about? Thinking I'd hit myself a lime stoner like Yellow or something.

Thanks!

 

[JeffK]

IMHO, it's all weather related. The low clear water and bluebird skies of late have not helped fishing and next week seems to be more of the same. This weekend has some rain in the forecast, but whether any bump will help next Friday I don't know. It's still a tough time to be a dry fly fisherman.

Of course, always some chance of finding a fish taking ants or beetles. If flying ants are about fishing can be hot. If it is drizzly olives can work. Fishermen are always positive and it is worth a shot. However, don't get expectations too high. Low, clear conditions also mean being careful stalking fish and avoid spooking them and making your first cast count. Generally, need your A game in mid September.

 

[kbobb]

Trout can be tough now, stocked streams may not have many fish left due to harvesting and temperatures this summer.

Smallmouth take topwater/dries/poppers. Just sayin.....

 

[dryflyguy]

Besides terrestrials, I'd carry Iso's, caddis, Cahill's, and BWO's

 

[Tigereye]

Besides terrestrials, I'd carry Iso's, caddis, Cahill's, and BWO's

Ill add Royal Wulff, Adams, and Stimulators all sizes 14 and smaller.

 

[Mikey2006]

How far are you willing to drive away from the turnpike to find fish?

 

[TimMurphy]

Dear Lance,

No need to hatch match, just use a floating bug. Stymie's and Wulffe's will work, as will ants, beetles, inchworms, and hoppers, even if nothing is happening.

Fish aren't very sophisticated. Think of it this way. If you just ate and someone tossed a hoagie or pizza at ya, what would you do? 😉

If your answer is grab it, you're thinking like a fish!

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

 

[Chotty]

I agree with kbobb. Tough this time of year for trout but can be fun chasing smallies.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

about time for slates. Cahill's are still out. I've rarely experienced steady activity with these hatches though. As others mentioned, attractor dries and terrestrials might be your best bet unless you get lucky.
things are so low and clear, might not be the best time

 

[troutbert]

Elk hair caddis is a very good "prospecting" pattern. Size 16 is a good choice.

 

[dryflyguy]

I always start with beetles.
At least until I see something else on the water that may be drawing their interest

 

[Lance]

Thanks everyone. I guess I may be over thinking it a bit. Most of my past experiences with late season dry fly fishing has been on streams with more grassy bank areas so stimmies, crickets and trudes were always my friends. Wasn't quite sure what to expect out of water that was so much more mountain forest in surroundings.

I had narrowed it down to fishing this or the Savage and opted for less of a detour for more time on the water.

 

[Dave_W]

I always start with beetles.
At least until I see something else on the water that may be drawing their interest

I'll second this. ^

Terrestrials are my go-to searching pattern in the typically low and clear waters of Sept/Oct and a beetle is tough to beat.

JeffK mentioned ants - it's pretty rare and tough to predict, but ant "falls" in the fall can be great fishing. They'll bring up smallies too.

 

[JimKennedy]

Saw some on the Yellow Breeches on Sunday that were sampling milkweed fluff, bits of tree detritus and the occasional insect, all as if it were some sort of hatch coming off. Finally caught one on a green honeybug suspended about 18 inches below a caterpillar fly on a streamer hook.

In short: fish whatever you want. If they're hitting on the surface this time of year, and you don't spook them, they'll hit your fly, or at least give it a look (can't speak to whether you'll hook 'em; I struggle with that). Hedge your bets: fish a dry with a small dropper.

 

[tjsingle]

Ants, elk hairs, BWO, and midges are good bets. I have lots of luck with small midge patterns over the weekend.

ISOs as well if your on a waterbody with them.

 

[Tigereye]

Had some luck recently with a #16 brown and white bivisible. No insect activity to speak of. Fish were under foamy patches. Shade, overhead cover, and collection spot for floating food morsels.

 

[rrt]

Size 14 Adams dry fly.

 

[salmo]

Considering your possible routes have you considered hitting the Savage River? It’s a tail water outflow.

 

[Kevin82]

Try some ants. maybe an uncle if ants dont work 😉 the beatles are good too.
Just go for a walk. keep expectations low and you'll have a good time.

 

[dryflyguy]

If the Beatles are no good, guess you can try The Rolling Stones…