RE: Targeting fall browns
2010/10/18 13:28:13
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I used to frequently fish some larger non Great Lakes rivers in the fall for big browns. I had 2 complete opposite tactics that I would use.
The first was using large streamers and covering as much water as possible searching for aggressive fish. Large numbers of fish were not the norm with this style of fishing, however lots of obnoxiously large browns have come to my hand with #2-6 sculpins and bunny leeches.
The method I used more commonly was nymphing. Most of the rivers I fish are tailwaters and it was tough to be a small egg pattern with a #20-22 brassie or midge larva as a dropper from the egg. Small nymphs worked equally as well at times. High sticking the nymphs through the heavy water at the head of the runs was always my favorite. You need to be deliberate in your presentation and often subtle changes in flies, weight, leaders, ect will be what dictates your success.
From about now until the end of November proved to be the best time. It was always better for me pre-spawn vs. post-spawn.