At a Glance
Autumn
(Mar–May)
Prime dries/emersers; calm margins + glassy evenings. Klinkhåmers, Shuttlecocks, Adams #14–18.
Winter
(Jun–Aug)
Clear & cold; smaller flies, finer tippet. CDC emergers, midges #18–20; slow nymphs.
Spring
(Sep–Nov)
Consistent hatches; active cruisers. Parachute Adams, Klinkhåmer #14–16, light nymphs.
Summer
(Dec–Feb)
Storm gaps & terrestrials. Hoppers, Foam Daddy; dry-dropper along banks & weed lines.
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Flies: Parachute Adams / Purple Haze, Klinkhåmer, Shuttlecock #14–18.
- Rigs: Single/double dry; short dry-dropper (40–60 cm) to #16–18 slim nymph.
- Watercraft: Work edges & channels; watch for subtle sips and bulges.
- Leaders: 9–12 ft with 5X–6X tippet; lengthen in glassy windows.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Flies: CDC film emergers, Griffith’s Gnat, tiny midges #18–20; light nymphs.
- Approach: Slow down; long leaders, thin tippet (5X–6X), precise drifts.
- When quiet: Subtle nymph under a micro-indicator; occasional small bugger.
- Light: Mid-day sun can lift activity—check wind lanes for sippers.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Flies: Parachute Adams, Klinkhåmer, VR Caddis, Shuttlecock #14–16.
- Activity: New weed growth; sight fish cruisers along clean banks.
- Rigs: Dry or dry-dropper; swap to emerger on refusals.
- Wind: Use banks with breeze pushing food—drift naturals.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Flies: Hoppers, Foam Daddy, Stimulator #8–12; search with dry-dropper.
- Timing: Early & late between storm spells; shade lines mid-day.
- Colour: Tan/yellow/orange terrestrials; keep drifts natural near reeds.
- Backup: If water colours up, try a slim nymph or small bugger.
Leaders, Tippet & Setup
- Rod/Line: 3–5 wt with WF floating.
- Leaders: 9 ft 3X/4X; extend with 4X–6X tippet to suit stealth.
- Dry-Dropper: 40–60 cm dropper to #16–18 slim nymph/emerger.
- Floatants: CDC safe gel + powder; carry desiccant.
- Swap cue: Refusals to high riders → emerger in the film.
- Colour rule: Dark day → darker silhouette; bright day → brighter/natural.
Season FAQs
When are dries most reliable?
Autumn and spring offer consistent dry-fly windows, with summer terrestrials firing between storm gaps.
What tippet should I use?
5X is a great start; drop to 6X in glassy water or with tiny emergers. Lengthen for stealth.
Do I need sink lines?
A floater covers 90%. A spare intermediate spool helps in wind or when probing deeper lanes in summer.
Bank-only venues?
Many top stillwaters are bank-fishing only. Check rules; barbless hooks are typically required.
Plan Your Season
We’ll tailor flies, leaders and venues to the day’s conditions—so you learn more and hook more.