There’s still plenty of summer-like fishing to be had, but over the next few months conditions will change dramatically.
Early September can still mean terrestrials and dry-dropper rigs. By mid to late September, lower and clearer water—and increasingly selective trout—make smaller bugs and more subtle presentations the name of the game. In October, brown trout begin staging prior to spawning and then it’s time to tie on the bigger stuff.
Our Q3 selection is built to cover that entire transition. Here's how we're fishing the Q3 QFC Tin:
1. Zonker—Natural
2. Beadhead Woolly Bugger—Olive #8
3. Beadhead Mini Leech—Black #12
4. Hot Worm—Wine #14
5. Beadhead Scud—Olive #16
6. Yakoda H2 Flashback—#16
7. Yakoda Simple Soft Hackle Emerger—Natural #18
8. X-Stimulator—Royal #12
9. Griffith's Gnat—#16
10. Sparkle Wing RS2—Purple #18
Dry-Dropper
Early September still offers some great dry-dropper fishing, and the Royal X-Stimulator is a big, buoyant attractor capable of suspending most of the smaller flies in this assortment.
Royal X-Stimulator + Your Dropper of Choice
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Drop the Yakoda H2 Flashback, Olive BH Scud, Yakoda Simple Soft Hackle Emerger, Wine Hot Worm, or Black BH Mini Leech underneath. Keep your dropper shorter through shallow riffles and pocket water and lengthen it in deeper runs and pools. In deeper water, don't be afraid to run two smaller nymphs as a double dropper beneath the X-Stimulator.
Fall = Small
By mid to late September and through November, smaller flies and more subtle presentations become more important. Longer leaders, lighter tippet, and a stealthy approach can make a big difference.
Griffith's Gnat + Purple Sparkle Wing RS2
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One of our favorite combinations when fish are feeding on tiny bugs near the surface. The Griffith's Gnat rides on top while the RS2 sits slightly below it, covering both adults and emergers.
Griffith's Gnat + Yakoda Simple Soft Hackle Emerger
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Another great option for picky rising fish. Dead drift the Soft Hackle under the Gnat or let it swing slightly at the end of the drift to imitate an emerging insect.
Nymphing
If fish aren't looking up, it's time to get down
Wine Hot Worm + Olive BH Scud
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A great two-fly nymph rig when you need to get down. The Hot Worm grabs attention while the more natural Scud follows behind.
Black BH Mini Leech + Yakoda H2 Flashback
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The Mini Leech gives fish a larger target while the H2 provides a smaller, more subtle option. Dead drift, tight-line, or jig them through deeper runs.
Olive BH Scud + Yakoda Simple Soft Hackle Emerger
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A more natural combination for clear water and wary trout. Scuds live in the weeds,so keep that fly near the bottom and let the Soft Hackle move slightly higher in the water column.
