Fall Seasonal Fishing Around Glacier National Park and Beyond
Fall fishing around Glacier National Park are what cold water trout anglers dream of. We tell folks that are inquiring about the fishing options in fall that this is “Pick your poison” time of year. The fishing options are bountiful. You can fish small water, big water or stillwater and the potential of having a banner day are high with all three choices.
The hot sunny days that attract our seasonal tourist have left the valley and there has also been a noticeable change in our fishing season. On our local drainages, we are on the hunt. Not for big game and upland birds like the majority of folks in the valley but for some of the largest trout of the year that are making their way back down to Flathead Lake.
Big Rivers
Both of our big river trip options are fishing great this time of year. Water temperatures are cold and ripe for good hatches and trout on the feed before winter. Locally, we have seen a large push of fish down from the higher drainages into the lower, bigger water. Our guides are finding trout that we have not seen in the summer months on the big river feeding in likely spots.
Dry fly fishing is still the most effective method most days. But, when mother nature decides to show her might with gusty winds or rain, sleet, and snow storms, we have been dusting off the bobbers and getting “down and dirty with good success”.
Dries
Bugs observed on the water have mostly been midges, caddis, and mayflies with the occasional terrestrial spotted fluttering around the banks. With that being said, terrestrial fishing has been the most effective dry flies in the past two weeks. Small ants and beetles have brought some really nice trout up to the surface to feed. One thing we have noticed on guide trips is that the smaller the terrestrial the better which can make seeing the eat hard if not impossible on some days. Our solution. Pairing your small terrestrial with a a larger dry such as a Jakes’ trigger belly or chubby chernobyl. The larger, more visible fly helps anglers identify when the trout are eating the small terrestrial and can increase hookups.
When we have found fish podded up and on the dry fly feed. Anchoring for a short period of time and working the group has been effective. If we are blind casting from the boat a variety of water has been holding fish. Outside banks, structure, inside seam lines as well as foam lines have been observed holding fish.
Jake’s trigger bellies, Repeat Offenders, foam black stones, parachute adams, March browns, and goober midges are all good choices this time of year. Keep em high and dry and don’t be afraid to dangle a nymph below if your in to that sort of thing.
Bobbers
On bad weather days, we have been finding ourselves getting reacquainted with the bobber rigs of high water season. Long leaders (2x-3x), heavy flies, and long drifts have proven to be a tried and true way to get the bobber to drop.
Bright flies such as Rainbow warriors, pink worms, and golden stones have all been productive using this method. It appears that the specific pattern is less important as dropping the flies into the right depth and getting the trout’s attention. Anglers will have to change sink rates with split shots or flies that have different sink rates to dial in their approach.
Small Water
Our small water is back in the game with cooling air temperatures and longer nights spurring a drop in water temperatures. Fall brings a revival of bug activity such as mayflies, caddis, and terrestrials. All are great options to throw this time of year.
Water types holding trout can vary this time of year. Likely holding spots include fast riffles, inside corners, deep runs with structure, and outside banks. With the increase in bug activity trout can be holding in any place that food is present due to current, riparian vegetation, or what stage the hatch is in. For example, seeing lots of mayflies and caddis emerging from the water column? If so, it might be best to target those faster riffles and tailouts. Lots of ants and beetles hitting the water? Targeting banks and structure might be your best option. Be aware of the hatch conditions and adapt your strategy to what the food source is at the time.
Water is at its lowest volume of the year in these drainages so the angler will likely have to adjust their leader setups to accommodate a more technical approach. 3-4x leaders
In specific drainages, migrating brown trout should be pushing up the river system and that leaves the angler a chance of catching a fish of a lifetime if they happen to intercept these large predators moving up the system. We have not heard any reports of these fish being encountered yet but it likely only a matter of time.
Dries
Parachutes maylflies – of all colors. Olive, mahogany, and darker colors seem to be most productive.
Caddis- both large and small in tan and oranges.
Hoppers- Small and large in darker variations.
Ants- Black and cinnamon
Beetles- Black as well as green and dark blue.
Bobbers
Stoneflies: black, brown and yellow have been used. sizes #8-#12
Maylfies: in sizes #12-#16. Color hasn’t seemed to matter.
Worms: sizes #8-#14. Wine and red have been used.
Streamers
Fall is such a fun time to throw streamers in our smaller waters. Target tailouts and undercut banks. We have been chatting with anglers that have been productive targeting waters with a floating line as well as an intermediate sink tip. Type of streamer and color has been variable. Folks have had success with several different types. Throw your favorite streamer and fish it with confidence.
Stillwaters
Stillwaters are also back on the docket now that we have moved into cooler temperatures. Our local cutthroat and grayling lake is fishing well with balanced leeches and nymphs under a bobber. There have also been reports of decent dry fly fishing for grayling with caddis and sedge flies along banks and reed lines. Pike and bass are also a productive species of fish to target in the early fall months. Pike should be moving into shallower water during the daytime and are actively feeding on baitfish and other warm water species around weed lines and drops.
As always folks, stay safe out there and let us know if you have any questions or would like to get out on the water with the best guides around the Glacier National Park area.
