What Is the Best Time of Day for Fly Fishing?

Fly fishing is an activity that has been around for centuries, and it’s a great way to spend time outdoors. It can be done in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and even the ocean.

Different times of the day offer different opportunities for catching fish. Knowing when to go out and what type of fish you’re Targeting will help you decide what the best time of day for fly fishing is.

Early morning is a great time for fly fishing because the water is usually coldest at this time and fish are less likely to be spooked by your presence. Additionally, cooler temperatures mean better oxygen levels in the water which makes it easier for fish to feed more actively. The morning light can also make it easier to spot where fish are likely to be located.

The afternoon is another popular time for fly fishing. With higher temperatures during the afternoon, baitfish become more active which attracts predators such as trout and bass.

During this time, you can use streamers or poppers that imitate these baitfish in order to get their attention. Additionally, with longer hours of daylight during the warmer months you have more opportunity to Target various species of fish.

Late evening can also be an excellent time for fly fishing as many species of fish become active at dusk or dawn when insects such as mayflies hatch from the water’s surface. This provides a great opportunity to use dry flies which imitate these insects in order to attract hungry trout or bass.

Nighttime fly fishing can also be effective if done carefully since many predatory fish become more active at night when their prey has a harder time seeing them in the darkness. If you’re Targeting these species then using glow-in-the-dark lures or streamers may help increase your chances of success.

Ultimately, there is no one “best” time of day for fly fishing; it all depends on what type of fish you’re trying to catch and what conditions are available during different times of day. Experimenting with different times throughout the day will help you determine which times work best for your particular location and type of fish.

Conclusion: The best time for fly fishing depends on what type of fish you’re Targeting and what conditions are available during different times throughout the day. Early morning, afternoon, late evening and nighttime can all offer good opportunities depending on what type of baitfish or insects are active at each given period. Experimenting with different times will help anglers determine which times work best in their particular location.

Photo of author

Lindsay Collins