Normal Fishing Season Ends

Today is the last day October and the normal fishing season ends. Why would I say that? I believe fishing changes after November 1. It’s like the fish gods flip a switch. Hatches wane as fewer fish rise to fewer flies.

Last year the weather cooperated a little more and I was able to get a bonus week of fishing as the temperatures didn’t dip and the forecast wasn’t like this one.

Blue on the chart is rain and pink indicates snow. What does that mean? The hatches are changing too. Every day on the river is different and the hatches are getting shorter, just like daylight hours.

As I continue to fish in November, I might have to consider tying a few nymphs on the end of my line if I want to catch fish!

But let’s not get hasty yet. While I saw one drake on the water last week, the PMDs and BWO hatches were still good.

This nice rainbow took a Sparkle Dun PMD.

You might have read my Fall Fishing at East Lake last week. Well, we decided to give it another try. Bank fishing was a little easier as the wind wasn’t howling like the previous week.

A few trout were still in the shallows. Here is a nice fall Rainbow Trout my wife landed.

Not to be outdone, I was able to land this beauty with spectacular pink colors.

Lastly, a nice Brown Trout.

I’ll be out on the river soon watching for rising trout even if my normal fishing season ends.

(Be sure to check out posts from other posts about changing seasons – Fishing Changes in November and Seasons Change.)

Here are a couple odds and ends that may interest you.

• The annual Pacific Northwest Fly Tyers Rendezvous at the Jackson Armory by the Portland International Airport on Saturday is November 11. I plan to be there tying flies all day, so be sure to stop by and say “hi” if you are in the Portland – Metro area.
• My annual fly fishing and fly tying Christmas List will be coming out soon. If you’d like me to add something on your list, it’s an easy way for your significant other to shop! Just leave a comment below.
• If you don’t tie flies and need something to do this winter, you might like the Old Fly Fishing and Fly Tying Books post I wrote about earlier this year. The post provides a list of FREE books available for you to read online or download.
• Be sure to follow me on Facebook (@RiverKeeperFlies) and/or Instagram (RiverKeeperFlies) as I post a few pictures and thoughts between posts.

I think I’ll hit the vise today.

Enjoy…go fish!