Fall makes an early entrance

The weather this week took on a fall-like look with highs in the 60s, drizzly days and foggy mornings. Some trees are starting to take on red colors, especially those in wet areas. The cooler weather has helped stream temperatures retreat from the upper 60s into the lower 60s, good news for the fish. The inch of rain we received, however, has not done much for the smaller streams which continue to trickle north toward Lake Superior.

Hoppers remain the go-to fly for brook trout as they are looking up for that meaty meal even on rainy days. Larger rainbows and browns have been hard to come by, despite near-perfect streamer and nymph weather.

I fished with Tom this week and found clear evidence of that fishing report. Our morning resulted in a lot of water covered with streamers and nymphs for little reward, our mid-day garnered many nice brook trout on hoppers, and our late day on skinny water found us challenged by small brook trout that would only eat size 20 Adams Parachutes. Fortunately Tom was a superb caster and quick study who endured the lulls and relished the mid-day flurry of activity. 

The next month promises to provide a rainbow of colors courtesy of the trees and the brook trout, both of which will soon be sporting their fall colors.