|
Through the
spring and summer in central New York, trout inhabiting streams and rivers
are spoiled with a variety of insects to feed upon. There are caddis, a variety of
mayfly hatches, and various terrestrials, including large grasshoppers,
all of which entice trout to feed on the surface. As air temperatures decline and
autumn arrives the insect hatches diminish. There are still hatches, but they
are not as heavy and the insects are much smaller.
Actual Size of the Olive and
Midge |
Autumn
offers an entirely different type of dry fly-fishing. Small olives and
midges dominate the hatches.
Often the hatches are sporadic but steady which can allow the
angler to time the rise.
Presentation is important because there will not be many
other insects on the water, the ones that are there the trout will
take. The water can be
low and clear which requires 6x or 7x tippets and long leaders of
about 12 feet. There is
something about olives; the hatches seem to increase on the most
overcast drizzly days of the autumn, so don’t let the gray dismal
weather deter an outing.
These days are often the most productive.
|
Two productive
flies to fish these olive hatches are:
 Peacock
Midge |
|
| Hook:
Scud hook 12-18 |
| Thread:
olive 8/0 |
| Tail:
none |
| Body:
Peacock Krystal Flash |
| Wing:
Peacock Krystal Flash |
| Thorax:
Peacock Herl |
|
|
|
 Olive
Comparadun |
| Hook: dry
fly 18-22 |
| Thread:
olive 8/0 |
| Tail:
grizzly hackle barbs (split) |
| Body: light
or dark olive dubbing (beaver is good) |
| Wing: fine
olive deer hair |
|
|
Steelhead
Winter Egg Patterns
Fly
Fishing Adventures
My
Grandfather's Water
