Distinctly Montana Magazine

study a thermometer to be properly prepared. THE TOP TROUT-TAKING TACTICS Now that you are properly dressed and have some good leads on what the trout are consuming, it's time to go get them. Before you wade in, however, note that fall fishing tactics are much different than spring and summer when you finessed flies onto the water's surface. Heavier flies or stream- ers now mean your fly line and rod is moving more mass, so you might want to move up from a 6- to an 8-weight fly rod. Once you have the best rod in hand, where should you cast? Fall is a season when it's best to generally switch direc- tions and fish downstream. Brook and brown trout can of- ten be found in the back of pools as spawning is underway. A best practice is to cast down along the side of a pool and pull the fly or streamer across in a sweeping J-pattern. Cast in an ever widening arch to cover the areas where a trout could be—or be watching from. Hungry trout will move ahead a few feet to grab what they perceive to be a minnow that's spotted them and suddenly turned to flee. And fall you cast into the trout faces. A top tactic is to keep low and concealed as much as pos- sible. Kneel down upstream and on sandbars or behind walls of vegetation. Remember that most trout lie facing upstream to watch for foods that wash by, and they'll be watching you if you move too close. Trout that have been pursued all summer do not want to encounter more anglers—they just want to eat. Now about that catch-and-release...! Michael D. Faw, past Bozeman resident, is Director of Communications at U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance in Columbus, Ohio. Mike is an inveterate outdoorsmen who enjoys hunting, fishing and writing news and views on America's wildlife and conservation. He is an active freelance writer and photog- rapher, the author of two books and the editor of several other titles related to hunting and fishing topics. He is also President of the Professional Outdoor Media Association. s is a season of generally clearer waters, so you'll want to go unnoticed as grouse mtn lodge 44 DISTINCTLY MONTANA • AUTUMN 2011

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