Fishy Fridays by Confident Angler: One fly fishing tip, one fly to try, and one inspirational post to get you fired up to fish this weekend. π£
Hey Reader,
We're halfway through fall already. Wild, right? I hope you've been having a great time out on the water. This is such a great time to be fishing.
Quick heads up: With Black Friday and the holidays coming up, I wanted to share something that helps support this newsletter and all the free content I create. If you're planning to buy any fly fishing gear (or really anything on Amazon), I've set up an affiliate link that doesn't cost you anything extra but gives me a small commission.
You're watching trout rise. You make a solid cast. Your drift looks good. But they keep refusing it.
Don't dig through your fly box for a completely different fly just yet.
Instead, go smaller on both the fly and the tippet.
I've talked before about changing size first, then shape, then color. That approach still holds. But if you're dry fly fishing, there's one more thing I often change before trying a bunch of different fly patterns: tippet size.
Heavy tippet (say, 3X or 4X) makes a small fly sit weird on the surface. It can create unnatural drag or tiny dimples on the water's surface, sometimes spooking fish. But when you drop to 5X or 6X and pair that with a smaller fly, you get a better presentation.
Try going from a size 14 to a 16 or 18 fly pattern, and step down your tippet size as well. That simple switch has regularly made the difference between putting fish in the net or not.
If you're looking for some good tippet options, I use fluorocarbon for everything. You can make a case for monofilament because it's cheaper and floats better, but I prefer fluoro's strength, even though it costs a bit more.
There are some great options out there, but I personally have the most confidence in Courtland or Rio.
πͺ° One Fly to Try This Weekend
β
Parachute BWO (Size 18β20)Fall means Baetis mayflies (also called Blue Winged Olives), and trout key in on them when water temps drop into the 50s. The Parachute BWO rides a little lower in the waterβs surface film and looks like a struggling mayfly trying to escape.
Fish it on 5-6X tippet in slower seams, tailouts, or soft pockets where trout can sip without working too hard. Keep your drifts clean. If you see refusals, don't switch patterns right away. Just go smaller and lighter first.
My friend Tyson is on a mission to catch every trout species in Idaho. The target in this video was the native redband. We covered a lot of water, and I walked through how I read shelves and tailouts, when to add split shot to get flies down fast, and why snagging sometimes just happens.
Late in the day, Tyson hooked a gorgeous redband. Perfect finish to an awesome day.
P.S. Want to know exactly what to focus on next? Take the free Confident Angler Assessment here. It only takes a few minutes and gives you a clear roadmap to grow your confidence on the water.
Note: Some links in this email may include affiliate links. I only recommend gear I use and trust. If you buy through these links, it helps support Confident Angler at no extra cost to you.