Summer is a great time to target trout with terrestrial flies, such as grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles. These land-based bugs are a prime food source for trout, and using the right summer fishing techniques can lead to some exciting catches.
6 Tips for Summer Terrestrial Fishing
- Look and Listen: Pay attention to the local bug activity. When you notice bugs fluttering around your porch light or hear cicadas buzzing, it’s likely time to switch to terrestrial flies.
- Use a General Terrestrial Pattern: Terrestrials are often a meal-of-opportunity for trout. Use a simple, impressionistic pattern like a Chubby Chernobyl hopper, which can be just as effective as a more realistic pattern.
- Fish Fast: Trout keying on terrestrials are typically aggressive. Make a couple of casts to a likely spot, and if the fish refuses the fly, try changing to a smaller fly.
- Add a Dropper: Use a dry-dropper rig with a hopper as the strike indicator and a nymph or smaller terrestrial as the dropper fly. This can double the effectiveness of your rig.
- Bulk Up Your Gear: Use a rod with some power to handle big terrestrials and potentially larger fish. A 9-foot 5-weight rod can be a good choice for terrestrial fishing.
- Use Heavier Tippet: Heavier tippet like 3X or 2X can help turn over big flies and salvage them when they get stuck in streamside vegetation.
By following these tips and tactics, you can increase your chances of catching trout on terrestrial flies this summer. So grab your fly rod and get ready to target these hungry fish!a
Image/Source: Field&Stream
