Best Time To Fly Fish For Trout - Full Calendar Guide

What Is the Best Time to Go Fly Fishing?

It can be challenging to know the best time to go fly fishing and what fly fishing flies to use, especially when you are new to fly fishing. While it is not impossible to catch fish at any time of the day, knowing a few facts can help you fish a lot smarter.

Here is the short answer before we get into the month-by-month. The best trout fishing runs from March through October, and the best hours flip with the season: fish the middle of the day in the cold months and the cool edges, dawn and dusk, once summer heats up. The reason it works is temperature. Trout are cold-blooded, so the water thermometer tells you more about when they will eat than the clock on your wall ever will.

As a general rule, the best time to go fly fishing is:

• January - Warmest Part of the Day
• February - Warmest Part of the Day
• March - Warmest Part of the Day
• April - Warmest Part of the Day
• May - Warmest Part of the Day
• June - Evenings
• July - Dusk, and Dawn
• August - Early Morning
• September - Dusk
• October - Midday
• November - Midday
• December - Midday

Many additional factors come into play, such as weather, water temperature, and even the color of your flies. Knowing about all of these factors will help to make your fly fishing experience more enjoyable.

Can You Fly Fish All Year Round?

We are often get asked if fly fishing is a sport that you can do year-round. Many people are looking for an activity that can get them outdoors and enjoy all that nature offers.

As a general rule, you can fly fish year-round. March through October are going to be more productive with longer windows of opportunity. November through January will be limited to the warmest part of the day, with less productivity.

Of course, there is more to catching trout than just knowing when the majority of hatches are taking place. In order to be successful at fly fishing for trout, you need to know the type of flies to use and when to use them.

There is one big exception that flips this whole calendar on its head, and it is worth knowing about: tailwaters. Those are the rivers that run out of the bottom of a dam, and because the water coming off the bottom of the reservoir stays cold and steady all year, the trout stay active when the freestone streams nearby are iced up or blown out.

A good tailwater will fish in January and stay comfortable right through a July heat wave. So if you want dependable water in the shoulder months, or a backup for when the weather goes sideways, find the closest tailwater and get to know it. Spring creeks work the same way, holding a steady temperature all year long off their groundwater.

Fly Fishing for Trout In the Fall and Winter

The best time of day to go fly fishing for trout can be dusk or midday. The fish eat more, and there are many bugs in the water, so the fish can't resist getting some food.

September

September is often a great time to fish because the days get shorter and cooler, and the trout are starting to show some activity. The best time of day to go fly fishing is at dusk. This is an excellent time to use yellow midges, mayfly, caddis stonefly, and terrestrial flies with a hint of red.

Learn More - Click Here for the Top 15 Flies for September

October

October is arguably one of the best fly fishing months because it's when brown trout season peaks. You can use red, midges, mayfly, caddis at around midday to catch trout. Eggs and worms can also be used.

Learn More - Click Here for the Top 20 Trout Flies for October

November and December

November through to December is often an excellent time to fish trout from streams and rivers because the water can be cool, still, and clear at this point in the year. In November and December, the best time to go fly fishing is midday. The best pattern during these months are going to be midges and mayfly nymphs. Red eggs and worms are also good choices.

Learn More - Click Here for the Essential Midge Patterns for Fly Fishing

January

January is often a slow time of year for fishing because many fish are still in their spawning beds. In the cold of January, red midges are a good choice, whatever time of the day you decide to fish for trout.

Learn More - Click Here for the 15 Best Trout Flies for January

February

The best time during February is going to be the warmest part of the day. In February, you can use green midges, stoneflies, eggs, and worms to catch trout.

Learn More - Click Here for the 15 Best Trout Flies for February

Winter Fly Fishing - What to Expect

Do not let anybody tell you winter is the offseason, because it is not. The bite is slower, and the windows are shorter, but winter trout are catchable and the rivers are wide open and empty. The trick is to fish small and fish slow. Cold-water trout will not chase, so you want your fly drifting down deep in the slow water where they are holding, right in front of their nose.

Midges do most of the heavy lifting in winter, often in tiny sizes, and a well-presented nymph will out-fish just about everything else. Skip the early morning, go out when it is warmest, usually late morning into mid-afternoon, and lean on those tailwaters below the dams. Their water holds a steadier temperature than a freestone stream all winter long.

Fly Fishing for Trout In the Spring

Always choose the warmest part of the day to fish for trout in the spring. When you start getting toward the tail end of spring, you can start fishing earlier, but trout are like me without coffee; they are not in a rush to get up and going until it's right for them.

Spring is when the calendar really opens back up. As the water climbs out of the winter cold and into the mid-40s and 50s, the trout wake up, spread out, and start feeding through more of the day. The most reliable spring hatch you can count on is the Blue-Winged Olive, and it loves exactly the kind of gray, cool, drizzly afternoon most folks would rather skip.

A little cloud cover and light rain can flip on some of the best dry-fly fishing of the whole year, so watch the forecast and pick the warmer, overcast days over the bright blue-sky ones. Early spring still fishes best in the warmest part of the afternoon. By late spring, once the mornings warm up, you can get out there earlier.

March

March offers various opportunities in fly fishing for trout because it's when the water starts to warm up and fish start to get more active. This is an excellent time for trout fishing in streams or rivers because these species can be less susceptible to cold currents this month.

In March, try to go fishing in the warmest part of the day, using green midges, mayfly, stonefly, eggs, and worms.

Learn More - Click Here for the 15 Best Trout Flies for March

April

April offers many opportunities in fly fishing for trout. This is due to the warming of temperatures. This provides trout with the right habitat. Again, it is best to choose the warmest part of the day for fishing. Use green midges, mayfly, terrestrial, eggs, and worms to ensure that you catch as many fish as possible.

Learn More - Click Here for the 15 Best Trout Flies for April

Fly Fishing for Trout In the Summer

The best time to go fishing is during summer is in the early morning and late afternoon. Hatches typically seem to be more active, and when the hatches are dynamic, so are the trout. Midday during the summer can be hard fishing. I always like to take more extended lunches and enjoy the surroundings before getting too serious about hitting the water.

May

May is good for catching trout when the day is at its warmest. Yellow flies are the best to use in this season, and you can even use yellow worms. For best results, use yellow midges, mayfly, caddis, stonefly, and terrestrial.

Learn More - Click Here for the 15 Best Trout Fly Fishing Flies for May

June

June offers plenty of opportunities when it comes to fly fishing for trout! The cool water will be the most productive because trout can still be found in spawning beds and along river bottoms. Also look for early morning and evening hatches.

Learn More - Click Here for the 15 Best Fly Fishing Flies for June

July

July also offers some great opportunities when it comes to fly fishing because the weather will be warmer and trout are still active. The best time to catch trout in July is dusk and dawn. Yellow, worms, terrestrial, stoneflies, caddis, mayfly, and midges all will help you catch tonnes of trout.

Learn More - Click Here for the 15 Best Fly Fishing Flies for the Month of July

August

August can be a fantastic time for fly fishing. But make sure to check your water temperatures. Anything over 68 degrees puts extra stress on the trout. Head to the high country or fish early in the morning before water temperatures rise.

This is also a great time to fish from the shoreline of a lake. As you did in July, use yellow midges, worms, terrestrial, mayfly, stonefly, and caddis to lure the trout so you can get a good catch.

Learn More - Click Here for 20 Tips on Fly Fish Alpine Lakes

The High-Country Window (July to September)

Here is a move that saves a lot of summers. When the valley rivers get too warm and stressed to fish responsibly in July and August, go up. The high-country and alpine lakes and streams sit up at elevation where the water stays cold, and the trout stay eager well into the heat of summer.

The season up there is short, roughly July through September, once the snow finally melts out, but the fishing can be flat-out spectacular. The fish see less pressure, and they are usually more than happy to eat a well-placed dry fly or a terrestrial.

Bring a hopper or an attractor pattern, be ready to hike a little, and enjoy some of the prettiest, coolest water of the year while everybody else is down in the valley sweating it out. It is also the responsible call. If the low-elevation water is pushing past the high 60s, heading up high keeps you fishing without putting the trout at risk.

Should I Fish In the Morning or Evening?

As you can see, the best time to fish can vary a lot based on the month and the season. As a rule, though, to be on the safe side and to catch as many fish as possible, it is best to pay close attention to how fly hatches are happening on the water.

In early spring, the rule of thumb is that the flies will start hatching in the warmest parts of the day. However, it is often difficult to predict when the flies will hatch when the weather is not very consistent. Try to be on the water when a lot of flies are hatching, since this means that it will be easier for you to catch much more trout.

Matching Your Fly To What Is Hatching

It is important to know the type of fly that you need to use to attract trout. It can be frustrating to see trout grabbing for everything but the fly you are using. This video will help you understand the basics of fly fishing entomology and help select the correct pattern on the water

Fishing for Trout at Night

If you have never fished for trout during the night, it is something you should definitely try. You will often catch some of the biggest fish at night. When fly fishing at night, it is best to get near slow-moving water since it will be easier to see where you will need to mend your line if necessary.

Make sure that you have a headlamp with red lighting to help preserve your night vision. You will also need it to safely release the fish back to the wild.

Learn More - Click Here to Learn How to Fly Fish at Night

Fly Fishing Gear for All Seasons

Whether a beginner or an experienced fisherman, you always need to ensure that you have the right gear. If you find that one type of rod is not working well for you, then do some research on what would work best for you and the kind of trout that frequents where you are fishing.

You'll also want to invest in life cycle fly assortments for seasonal hatches that will be successful for your next adventure! Flies can cost very little or a lot, depending on what type you are buying (small nymphs or large streamers). This is why you need to ensure that you make the right choices when choosing flies.

Get Ready for Your Next Fly Fishing Adventure

Fly fishing can be done on any day that you can find a river or stream. The trout will be biting and waiting for your bait at all times of the year. Don't let the weather stop you from having an outdoor adventure! Just be sure to choose the right time of the day and the right fly pattern to catch the fish you want.

To ensure that you're always prepared for catching fish, ensure that you invest in top-quality fishing gear. This way, you can always be sure that you won't be going home empty-handed from any fly fishing expedition that you go on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to fly fish for trout?

For most trout water, October is tough to beat. Brown trout season peaks and the fish feed hard before winter sets in. That said, spring, summer, and fall all fish well, and the best month really comes down to your local hatches and water. If you want the widest windows and the most forgiving conditions, aim for March through October.

When do trout feed most actively?

Trout feed most actively when the water sits in their comfort zone, roughly the low-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit, and especially when a hatch is coming off. Because they are cold-blooded, feeding slows way down when the water is very cold or very warm. Watch for rising fish, bugs on the water, and birds working the surface. Those are your signs that the feed is on.

Can you fly fish for trout in winter?

You sure can, and you will usually have the river to yourself. Winter fishing runs slower, so fish small midges and nymphs, drift them deep and slow, and head out during the warmest part of the day, usually late morning to mid-afternoon. Tailwater rivers below dams are your best bet in winter because the water stays steady and fishable.

What is the best time of day to fly fish for trout?

It flips with the season. In the cold months, fish the middle of the day when the water is warmest. In the warm months, fish the cool edges, early morning, and the last hour before dark. Spring and fall are more forgiving, with late morning through early afternoon fishing well most days.

Are early morning or late afternoon better for trout fishing?

In summer, both beat the midday heat, and each one has its moment. Early morning gives you the coolest water of the day, while late afternoon into dusk brings the evening hatches and lower light that pull the big fish out to feed. If you can only pick one when it is hot, dusk is hard to beat. In cold weather, skip both and fish midday instead.

What water temperature is best for fly fishing trout?

Trout are most comfortable and feed best when the water is roughly in the low-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. Once it climbs past about 68 degrees, trout get stressed, and that is your cue to move to cooler high-country water or give them a break for the day. A small stream thermometer is one of the cheapest ways to fish smarter.

What seasonal conditions produce the biggest trout?

Low light and cooler water tend to bring the biggest fish out to feed, which is why dawn, dusk, overcast days, and the pre-spawn stretches in fall and spring are prime time for a trophy. Night fishing in summer is another proven way to tangle with the largest browns in the system.

Do you need different flies for different times of year?

Yes. The calendar above breaks the go-to patterns down month by month, but the short version is: midges and nymphs through winter; Blue-Winged Olives and mayflies in spring; caddis, terrestrials, and stoneflies through summer; then midges and mayfly nymphs again as fall turns cold. Matching your fly to the season, and to whatever is actually hatching, is the whole game.

About the Author

Matthew Bernhardt, a third-generation Coloradan, grew up at the forefront of the state’s fly-fishing revolution, enjoying time on the water, side by side with experienced guides and lifelong anglers.

By combining his passion for fly-fishing with input from other experienced fly-fishers and guides and his fine arts degree from Colorado State University, Matthew spent five years carefully developing the Drifthook Fly Fishing System, built to help every angler catch more trout.

When he’s not spending time with his wonderful family, you’ll find him out on the water catching MONSTER trout, and he anxiously looks forward to the day when his kids are old enough to join him there.