Fly fishing in autumn is often chastised as so tricky it’s not worth pursuing. It isn't hard to follow the logic to this conclusion. Fly fishing in autumn is different. The tricks of the trade applied through spring, summer and even in some winter fisheries, can rarely be applied through autumn. Save the early weeks of March, where you can enjoy the visual exhilaration and simplicity of hopper fishing (see Extra Terrestrials for some more grasshopper filled stories!), the requirements of autumn are markedly different to the rest of the calendar. But, like anything, with a few helpful tips, and a few tweaks to approach, gear and method, you can soon be capitalising on some wonderful fishing others would willingly pass by.

The catch 22 of autumn 

Autumn brings with it a change of flaming foliage and shorter days. The distinct chill that sneaks in is at first welcomed. Relief from those 30 + degree days, for both angler and fish. Just as much as the air temperature cools, the water temperature returns to tolerable levels. The fish respond in turn with an uptick in feeding activity. However, cooling conditions negate the favorable hot, humid environment that brings the best out of insect activity. Nymphs looking to progress through their  life cycle, emerge from a riverbed crevasse, make the dash to the surface and hatch into a Dunn or Caddis are less likely to take the leap. We welcome the cooling temperature of autumn, but curse the interconnected lack of  insect and trout feeding activity. 

Read more about fly fishing in New Zealand during autumn in New Horizons.

The sweet spot

Whilst the weather is often mild, almost bland, the fishing conditions of autumn are more variable and  susceptible to even the slightest changes in the weather compared to it’s three seasonal associates. During the other ‘shoulder season’ of spring, the remnants of winter rains and snowmelt drive high flows, making everything in the water more resistant to changes in the weather throughout the day. The fishing is generally consistent through spring. Off the back of summer, typically with low rainfall, the water levels in autumn are low, clear and can rise and fall in temperature quickly. The low light, dawn and dusk periods often drive cooler water temperatures and low insect activity. But as the sun reaches its apex, the mid-morning and mid-afternoon warmth drive favorable water temperatures and bring the bugs and fish out to play. This is our ideal autumn zone. Fish are active, happy to eat and the bugs are still willing to hatch and unintendedly present themselves to the opportunist trout. During autumn enjoy a sleep in, enjoy being off the water well before dark, and cash in on more time to tell tall fishing tales rather than creating them.

Flies to fish in autumn

When it comes to what type of bugs, and therefore what flies to throw, it varies significantly. As the last of Summer hangs on, it is common to stumble across red letter grasshopper fishing. Big bushy flies, generally those classically associated with  summer, are awesome at getting the job done. As the cooling sets in, tiny, delicate size 16 and 18 mayflies and midge patterns are a necessity. With low water levels, generally in gin clear conditions, the fish are also spooky and seem to only have eyes for food that perfectly matches the traditionally smaller mayflies hatching during this period. If you find a ‘sipper’, a fish cautiously eating off the top or the surface film, you can’t go wrong with a 14ft leader, 5x tippet and a size 16 Klinkhammer. Same goes for nymphs, keep them small in size and profile. Conversely, as we move towards winter and the fish enter their pre-spawn fury (especially the Brown Trout), fishing large vexing streamers can pester the trout into aggressive eats. The aquatic equivalent to small man syndrome at the pub after a few rums. Funnily enough, it can be equally satisfying watching the aggressive behaviour bring its perpetrator undone in both scenarios. 

Not wanting to fuel too much excitement for fly fishing during Autumn, we want to implore you not to put the cue in the rack too early this season. Enjoy the journey of learning to stalk wary fish in gin clear water, and casting a 14ft leader with nothing but a microscopic size 18 Adams. Enjoy the journey of putting in a thousand casts with a huge streamer only to ferociously hook that 6lb brown trout on the last cast of the day. Enjoy the opportunity to relax as the coffee brews, the eggs and bacon cook and not be rushed to get on the water. Autumn, when well  fished, is the angler’s season for fly fishing.