The first cool nights have arrived, Labor Day has passed, and fall is beginning to settle in. The season may not have officially changed yet, but the changes on the water are already underway.
One of the first things I watch for each September is the shift smallmouth bass make from feeding heavily on crayfish to chasing baitfish.
Smallmouth Bass Follow the Baitfish
On the Mohawk River near my house, the outward migration of juvenile herring has begun. I have already spent some time fishing it, and the bass that were difficult to find during the summer are beginning to show up around the creek mouths.
The young herring often hold near these creek mouths overnight as they migrate. Smallmouths know it and stake out the surrounding water, waiting for an opportunity to feed. I have had some decent fishing so far, although I don’t think we have reached the peak of the migration yet.
A big river like the Mohawk can feel intimidating to a fly angler, but you do not have to cover the entire river. Concentrate on creek mouths, nearby flats, current seams, and other places where baitfish gather. Getting on the water early—before the sun climbs high—can also improve your chances of finding actively feeding bass.
My favorite flies for this time of year include the River Herring and Smallmouth Panny Popper. When I want to fish a streamer, I reach for the Jerk Fly or Trilobal Minnow. You can find these flies and instructions for tying them on the Rob Streeter Outdoors YouTube channel.
This can be some of the best smallmouth fishing of the year, so get out and give it a try.
The Fall Minnow Bite
The same seasonal change occurs in lakes and smaller rivers. As fall approaches, smallmouths begin focusing more heavily on minnows because they are often the best available food source.
This is the time to carry flies that imitate the size, shape, and color of the local baitfish. Watch the water carefully. Nervous minnows, surface disturbances, diving birds, and sudden splashes along the shoreline can all reveal where bass are feeding.
Low Water and Adirondack Trout
September also brings changes to our trout streams.
I have fished several Adirondack streams recently, and the water has been low. The trout fishing has been difficult, which is typical for this time of year. Stream levels are often at their lowest during September and October, making trout spooky and challenging to approach.
If streamflows improve, these waters may be worth revisiting. Move quietly, keep a low profile, and make careful casts from a distance whenever possible.
We are also approaching the brook trout spawning season. Before spawning, adult trout can become more active and aggressive, giving anglers an opportunity to encounter some larger fish. Their fall colors are also beginning to appear, making them some of the most beautiful fish of the year.
This is an important time to fish responsibly. Handle brook trout carefully, keep them in the water as much as possible, and avoid walking through or fishing directly over visible spawning areas. Protecting these fish now helps ensure healthy Adirondack trout populations in the years ahead.
Lake Ontario Salmon
If the smallmouths and trout are not cooperating, fall also brings the salmon run to the Lake Ontario tributaries.
This is popular fishing, so you should not expect much solitude. However, it offers the opportunity to connect with a powerful king, or Chinook, salmon.
These salmon have left the lake and entered the tributaries to spawn. Although they are no longer feeding in the same way they did in the lake, they can still strike a fly out of instinct or spawning aggression. Streamers swung near fish that are staging or moving through deeper runs can sometimes bring a solid strike.
Tributary fishing is what you make of it. The easiest access points will often be crowded, but wading away from those areas may give you a little more room. Look for deeper runs and travel lanes that salmon use as they move upstream, then work on presenting your fly naturally in front of them.
These are strong fish and can be difficult to land, so make sure your tackle is ready—and be prepared for a serious fight.
Keep Fishing Through the Change
Fall is nearly here, but that does not mean the fly-fishing season is ending. It simply means we need to adjust to the best opportunities available.
Follow the baitfish for smallmouths, watch the flows on your favorite trout streams, or make a trip to the Lake Ontario tributaries for salmon. The water is changing, the fish are changing with it, and some of the most memorable fishing of the year may still be ahead.
Visit the Rob Streeter Outdoors YouTube channel to see the flies I use for September smallmouth bass and learn how to tie them.
Keep a tight line, my friend.