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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Fly Fish America - September 2007 Issue - Index

dominant species and they grow big, often reaching
20 inches. In the fall they are very active,
taking hoppers or stimulators with abandon.
For the bigger fish, woolly buggers in black or
olive are your best bet. The Sixth Water drains
rugged and beautiful mountain country with
limited access, so be prepared to bushwhack.
Unfortunately, this pristine area-along with the
neighboring Diamond Fork-is threatened with
oil and gas development, so this treasure could
be lost or severely damaged within the next year.
To research this threat, and Trout Unlimited's
efforts to reduce it, see www.tu.org and look up
the Public Lands Initiative.
VERMONT
As the days and nights cool, and the weather
enters more stable fall patterns, the trout fishing
in Vermont begins to really sparkle. The
Winooski, which is often too warm in high
summer, becomes viable, with enough insect
activity to make it a prime destination. Fish are
active, getting ready to spawn later in the year,
and bulk-up on food supplies. Some of the
tributary streams provide great fishing as well,
but there is a move afoot to protect some of the
spawning tributaries as has been done in other
parts of the state. For more information contact
Green Mountain Troutfitters (802-644-
2214; www.gmtrout.com).
VIRGINIA
The streams flowing out of the Blue Ridge to
the west and east are usually native brookie
streams in their headwaters, then eventually give
way to wild or stocked rainbows and browns.
According to the folks at the Albemarle Angler
in Charlottesville (434-977-6882; www.
albemarleangler.com) the Rose River, Rapidan
River, and Stony Creek are worth a visit for a
potpourri of trout fishing for all three species.
They recommend using Murray's Mr. Rapidan,
parachute Adams, royal Wulffs, and elk hair
caddis to pull up the fish. The usual suspects in
the underwater fly menu include the GRHE,
prince nymph, and beadhead woolly buggers.
Smallmouth bass are available on the upper
James River near Scottsville. Murray's Fly
Shop in Edinburg is the place to visit farther
down the Shenandoah Valley (540-984-4212;
www.murraysflyshop.com) for info on local
trout and bass opportunities.
WASHINGTON
West side salmon, east side trout: Late summer
into early fall is the peak of river fishing
throughout the state. Flowing off the east side
of the Cascades the Yakima River (Gary's Fly
Shop, 509-972-3880) is pulled off agricultural
irrigation, water levels drop and clear, and some
of the finest dry-fly fishing of the year erupts for
wild trout-mostly rainbows, a few cutts, and
very few bull trout and brookies. The combination
of excellent water conditions, great hatches
(October caddis, Baetis, blue-winged olives,
pale evening duns) and spectacular scenery
morph the Yak' into 70 miles of trout dream
stream. East of Spokane, the Spokane River, the
extreme upper reaches of the Columbia, and the
Pend Oreille are also low and primed. Contact
Spokane River Fly Shop at (509) 467-3893.
On the west side pink, coho and chum
salmon (arriving in that order from September
through November) surge into every significant
river. Expect low water and sight fishing for
the most part with sink-tip and intermediate
lines, short leaders, and lots of thinly dressed
attractors, single-egg patterns and cerise-chartreuse-purple
yarn ties trimmed with Mylar or
Krystal Flash. Contact Patrick's Fly Shop at
(206) 325-8988.
WEST VIRGINIA
Trout fishing in autumn is not only good, it is
beautiful too, as the trees and brook trout go to
their colorful palette. Try the North Branch of
the Potomac River, Shavers Fork of the Cheat
River, and Seneca Creek for trout. Suggested flies
include attractor patterns such as stimulators,
royal Wulffs, and parachute Adams on top; and
white marabou muddlers, and woolly buggers in
olive and black for subsurface offerings. If the fall
is colder than usual, switch to weighted nymphs
and go low and slow, but keep an eye on the
water for hatching insects during warmer spells.
Willing smallmouth bass are in the North Fork
of the South Branch of the Potomac from Cabins
to Petersburg. Use Clousers and woolly buggers.
For a great place to stay and fish out of, I suggest
Harmon's North Fork Cottages & Cabins
(800-436-6254; www.wvlogcabins.com) on the
North Fork of the Potomac's South Branch.
WISCONSIN
There's still time for some great trout fishing in
Wisconsin before the season closes (check the
Wisconsin DNR site for the latest regulations).
Take advantage of late-season hatches and rising
trout in the southwest corner of the state on
rivers like Timber Coulee, the Blue, and Castle
Rock Creeks. Look for smaller mayflies like tiny
Baetis along with a few terrestrials to make up the
major surface activity. Nymphs and streamers
fished deep also work well when the fish aren't
in the mood to show themselves. Lake and river
fishing for smallmouth bass, pike, and muskie
is another great way to close out the year. With
winter knocking on the door, these warmwater
species put on the feed bag and offer some of
the best fishing of the year. For more information
on all these great late-season opportunities,
stop by and see Tony Mort or Todd Opsal at
the Orvis store in Madison (608-831-3181;
www.orvis.com).
WYOMING
The Salt River flows north near the western
border of the state. While it offers excellent
fishing for browns, cuttbows and Snake River
cutts, its tributaries have caught my attention.
If you like small, easily fished streams full of
eager native Bonneville or Snake River cutts,
read on. Salt Creek runs along Hwy. 89 south of
Afton. It is mostly in an open meadow area with
a few willows. Crow Creek is farther north off
Hwy. 238 and quite similar. Stump Creek is still
further north off Hwy. 237 and equally productive.
McCoy Creek, up near Palisades Reservoir,
runs through a beautiful valley. All these streams
originate across the Idaho border and fish equally
well on both sides of the line. Cutts love dry flies,
even in fall with few obvious hatches to key on.
Last September I combined a small stimulator
with a beadhead brassie to take many trout and
the occasional whitefish over several days. I never
had to change patterns. Fish are not big-mostly
in the 8- to 12-inch range-but are plentiful,
beautiful, and willing.
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