For most outdoorsmen fall is the time to put away the rods and grab the shotgun or rifle. But for me, fall is the best time of the year to be on my favorite rivers. Think about it. First, I often have the river to myself. This alone is enough of an excuse to be there. I hate crowds and I love having the best runs and riffles all to myself. Second, the conditions are perfect. The daytime temperatures are warm but not too hot, the mornings and evenings are crisp. The trout have broken free of their summer doldrums and are hearing the ticking of the wintertime clock. They know that before long food will become scarce, and now is the time to stalk up for the long, cold winter. To top it all off, the river is usually at its lowest flow of the year, concentrating the fish and making them easy (or easier) to catch.

Why more fishermen don't enjoy all that fall has to offer is a mystery to me. Still, my advice is to go hunting, put the fishing equipment in the closet and leave the fishing to me. However, if you just have to go fishing, here are a few tips to get you started.

Tactics
Fall tactics are about the same as in the summer, but with one big difference. Since water flows are low, rig up accordingly. This means lighter tippets (possibly fluorocarbon material), absolutely drag-free presentations and stealthy wading. The trout will be feeding in shallow water at the bottom of runs and in the riffles and scum lines along the edges of fast water, where they can be spooked easily. Low impact walking, delicate casting and perfect presentations are the key.

Patterns
Pattern selection is easier in the fall and early winter, since there are fewer kinds of insects hatching. Still, the snow fly (midge) hatches can be impressive and can cause the trout to feed aggressively. In general, hatches won't last as long and the insects hatching will be smaller (size 18 to 24). These short-lived hatches don't mesh with the trout's need to feed. In short, the trout want to eat a lot and there just isn't as much to choose from. For this reason, a variety of patterns will work well. On most western rives, Hare's Ears, Prince Nymphs, Zug Bugs and Pheasant Tails will work fine for subsurface activity. Depending on the location, Parachute Adams, and Hoppers (even though they are generally not present this late in the fall), CDC Emergers and Elk Hair Caddis will all catch fish on the surface.

You can have the best of both worlds by tying on a Parachute Adams (or another of the dry flies mentioned above). Off the hook of the Adams, tie on a dropper (12 to 18 inches) and a Midge Larva, small Pheasant Tail or even a Prince Nymph). Use the Adams as an indicator and get to work. Generally I catch more fish on the nymph than on the dry but by giving the fish a choice, I pick up an extra fish or two that wouldn't have been enticed had I been fishing one or the other.

Unique Fall Patterns
In the fall there are two unique tricks that can be the key to turning a good day into a great day. The first is targeting the brown trout spawn. If the river has browns, they will spawn sometime between October and late December. Browns, as well as large rainbows will feed voraciously on the roe as it drifts downstream from the redds. By fishing egg patterns, on a sink tip line, many big trout can be caught. I have found that the Moe Egg Clusters and Singles look great, are durable and sink well. Don't target the spawners. Focus on the opportunistic fish feeding below the redds and you'll catch plenty of monsters without interrupting the spawn or needlessly tiring the spawners.

The other fall technique that can yield large fish is to throw streamers. You won't catch as many fish but the ones you will catch will be bruisers. Strip heavily weighted Zonkers, Muddler Minnows, Leaches and Matuka Sculpins through deep holes with a sink tip. Hold on because when you get a hit, the fish will darn near rip the rod from your hands. This is no time to be fishing light tippets and a three-weight rod. If there are no redds in the area I'm fishing, I wade down the middle of the stream (if it isn't too deep) and cast right into the bank. As soon as the streamer hits the water I strip hard. As the streamer moves away from the bank and toward the middle of the river the trout just pound it. I guess they just can't resist such an easy target.

Favorite Fall and Early Winter Fisheries
Bring your cold weather gear, but hope you don't need it, and head to the Colorado River above Lee's Ferry (Arizona) for some of the best rainbow trout fishing of the year. Look for lots of fish in the 14 to 18 inch range and an occasional fish over 20 inches. This is one of my favorite places with spectacular scenery, wonderful fishing and a great adventure. Hire a guide to take you up the river or fish downstream from the boat launch area. Either way you'll have a great trip.

If you don't mind crowds, even in the middle of the winter, the San Juan River below the Navajo Dam, just out of Farmington, New Mexico can be great fun. I've never fished over rainbows that fight as hard as these fish do. You'll be fishing mostly midge nymphs and emergers (size 20 to 22). Use a dropper and fish a nymph and an emerger for twice the action. Be prepared for rod bending runs, acrobatics and lots of broken tippets (size 6 or 7). The mornings will be cold but midday temperatures often climb into the 40s or even the 50s.

The Green River below Fontenelle Dam (in Wyoming) is a great early winter fishery if the weather holds. On the other hand, it can be just about the coldest and most miserable place on earth if you luck into a Wyoming blizzard. Plan your trip carefully and float the first five miles below the dam. Browns, kokanee and lake trout all run up the river in the fall and the fishing can be stunning for any or all of these species. It can also be fickle and mind numbing. Fish big streamers and hang on.

If you are looking for a more civilized float on the Green River, fish below Flaming Gorge Dam (near Dutch John, Utah). This is a seven-mile float or for those willing to walk, the river can be accessed from the launch ramp at the dam or from the take-out at Little Hole. Here you'll be fishing for rainbows, browns and cutthroat. Early winter is a great time to be on this water as the rubber rafters, youth groups and water fights are over for the year and only the hard-core fishermen are left.

The list goes on and on. Research a new water or head to an old favorite. Either way, you'll soon be hooked on winter fishing. Then you'll be facing the same problem I am. Should I go fishing or hunting this weekend? Or, can I figure out a way to do both?

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