What Flies Are in Season for Fly Fishing?

Fly fishing is a highly gratifying activity that can be relished all year long, and the selection of flies is crucial for achieving success. Being aware of the current fly season is a vital aspect of fly fishing and can significantly impact your success rate.

Depending on the season, certain species of fish will be more active and more likely to take your bait. For example, during the springtime, when water temperatures are higher, larger trout will be actively feeding on insects such as mayflies and caddisflies.

During this time, it’s best to use large dry flies like Stimulators or Humpys to imitate these insects.

In the summer months, midges and terrestrials such as ants and grasshoppers become more abundant. During this time, smaller dry flies such as Griffith’s Gnats or Elk Hair Caddis are effective for imitating these insects.

When fall arrives, aquatic insects such as Damselflies and Dragonflies become more active in the water, making them prime Targets for fly fishermen. During this time it’s best to use nymphs like Pheasant Tail Nymphs or Stonefly Nymphs to imitate these aquatic insects.

Finally, when winter arrives, fish will begin feeding on crustaceans like scuds and sowbugs. During this time it’s best to use nymph patterns such as Copper Johns or Hare’s Ear Nymphs to imitate these aquatic creatures.

Conclusion:
The types of flies that you choose for fly fishing depend heavily on the season that you are fishing in. During springtime mayflies and caddisflies should be imitated with large dry flies like Stimulators or Humpys while midges and terrestrials should be imitated with smaller dry flies like Griffith’s Gnats or Elk Hair Caddis during summer months. Aquatic insects should be imitated with nymph patterns like Pheasant Tail Nymphs or Stonefly Nymphs during fall months while crustaceans should be imitated with nymph patterns like Copper Johns or Hare’s Ear Nymph during winter months.

Photo of author

Daniel Bennet