A fly angler in waders stands in the river with his line cast

Tips for Planning Your Fly Fishing Expedition: Timing

Planning Makes the Difference.

Fly fishing can be tricky, but with the proper preparation, you can set yourself up for success. Planning will guarantee a better outcome for your next fly fishing expedition. I’ve experienced both kinds of trips in my life: planned and non-planned. Without fail the unplanned outing was full of the unexpected, to put it mildly. Experiences were missed. Foodless hours and days make the time pass like a grueling crawl. Whereas with fully-planned outings, I was able to not only enjoy everything I wanted to experience but usually found time for more. It’s all about optimizing your time and experience with research.

When Should I Cast my First Line?

One of the main things you should consider while researching your trip is maximizing catch potential. Are you angling for trout? If so, you’ll find that it is a year-round fish. However, a successful trout expedition will depend on the season, time of day, temperature, and weather. 

Season and time of day go hand-in-hand. If you trek out to a river on any late spring morning, you may find trout hard to find. A good rule of thumb is to be ready to cast from dawn until a few hours after sunrise. Late afternoon until a few hours before sunset is the second-best option for catching trout. 

Cool temperatures are best, and if it’s raining, that’s even better. Experienced anglers will venture out into the rain because that’s prime feeding time for trout. At night, feeding is less prevalent, which is why trout are very active in the morning, trying to get their grub. Just before sunset is prime time for insects, which will ensure trout activity. 

Time of day, weather, and season are certainly important factors. Equally important to anglers are current, cover, and cuisine. Also known as, “The Three Cs.” Trout will need current to bring their food, cover for safety, and cuisine for their diet. Without these three necessities, you will not find trout.

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