For many bass anglers, now is the time of year when their tackle is packed away and they kick up their feet, biding their time until the spring. Unless you’re a fan of ice fishing or drifting for steelhead, fall typically signals a long waiting period.
Fall doesn’t have to mean the end to fishing season. Fall fly fishing can actually be the most exciting. Here are four great must-visit rivers.
RELATED: 5 Tips for Fall Fly Fishing
Green River – Utah
Divided into three segments, the beautiful Green River is a favorite travel destination for fly anglers. This time of year, the river becomes less crowded, so you’ll have almost no trouble settling into a good spot. The A Segment of the river is shallow, so be sure to bring your waders. Segments B and C are a little deeper, so you’ll have to bring a float tube to fish these segments. Bonus Tip: Bring some streamers and target the C Segment if you’re on the hunt for big fish.
Bighorn River – Montana
The Bighorn River has been a mecca for fly anglers for years, due largely to the fact that it boasts thousands of fish per mile of its waters. With this in mind, though, covering as much of this water as you can will be your top priority. Most fly anglers fishing the Bighorn due so in the form of 15 to 20-mile trip downriver on a float tube, beginning near the dam and heading east from there. During the fall months, smaller flies tend to work best, such as nymphs.
Colorado River – Arizona
The Arizona stretch of the Colorado River is one of the most beautiful spans of river that the West has to offer. The fact that it’s absolutely generous when it comes to producing trout throughout the year doesn’t hurt either. The waters are crystal clear and there are thousands of fish to be had along every mile. Keep in mind, though, that it’s difficult to access on foot, so you may need to look into hiring a local guide.
Upper Colorado River – Colorado
The 60-plus miles of the Upper Colorado boasts some of the best float and wade fishing in the country. There are numerous access points along this stretch to provide you with several options for targeting trout. During fall you’ll want to bring plenty of streamers and midge patterns to draw strikes from the brown and rainbow trout you’ll find here.
Photo credit: Flickr
