Fall Trout Fishing in the Driftless: Hoppers, Blue-Winged Olives & Streamers
As summer winds down, the Driftless Area begins its annual transformation. Nights get longer, mornings turn cooler, and daytime temperatures settle into the kind of comfortable weather anglers dream about.
The trout notice the change, too.
With cooler water temperatures and winter approaching, trout become increasingly active and feed aggressively. For fly anglers, September and October are prime months for fall trout fishing in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, offering some of the most exciting fishing of the season and the chance to catch big brown trout dressed in brilliant fall spawning colors.
September Trout Fishing: Hoppers, Ants & Beetles
September is a fantastic time to be on a Driftless Area trout stream. Water temperatures begin to cool, trout become more comfortable feeding throughout the day, and terrestrial insects remain an important part of their diet.
Grasshoppers are the featured protein in September, but don’t overlook ants and beetles. These smaller terrestrials can be especially effective when trout aren’t readily coming to larger hopper patterns.
The best conditions for terrestrial fishing are typically warm, sunny and windy days from roughly 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wind can knock grasshoppers, ants and beetles into the water, creating an irresistible opportunity for hungry trout.
One of our favorite fall setups is a grasshopper pattern with a small beadhead nymph suspended about two feet below it. This combination covers both the surface and the water column, making it especially effective when fishing the pockets below riffles.
You may get a violent take on the hopper. Or the indicator-like hopper suddenly disappears as a trout eats the nymph underneath.
Either way, pay attention.
Fall Blue-Winged Olive Hatches
As September progresses, the Driftless Area begins to see fall blue-winged olive (BWO) mayfly hatches. These hatches can produce excellent technical dry-fly fishing from the late afternoon into the evening.
This is when fall trout fishing gets particularly interesting.
You can experience a true smorgasbord of surface activity. One moment, you’re throwing a large hopper and waiting for a trout to smash it. Later in the day, you may find yourself switching to a small BWO pattern and watching for delicate rises.
It’s a wonderful contrast:
Big bugs. Aggressive presentations. Explosive strikes.
Then, as the hatch develops:
Small dries. Delicate presentations. Soft sips.
Fall gives you the opportunity to experience both in the same day.
Streamer Fishing for Fall Brown Trout
As air and water temperatures continue to drop, trout begin looking for larger meals. Baitfish such as sculpins, chubs and small trout become increasingly important, and that’s when the streamer bite kicks into high gear.
Streamer fishing is one of the most exciting ways to target big brown trout in the Driftless Area.
Overcast and rainy conditions can be particularly productive. Lower light makes trout less cautious and often more willing to chase a moving baitfish imitation.
Streamers also allow you to cover a lot of water efficiently. Instead of waiting for trout to rise, you can actively search for aggressive fish and trigger spectacular visual strikes.
There are several ways to fish a streamer:
- Upstream with a fast strip
- Downstream with a strip
- On the swing through likely holding water
- Dead-drifted with an occasional twitch
Streamer patterns can range from small baitfish imitations to large, articulated patterns designed specifically for trophy hunting.
And when a big brown trout comes charging out of the shadows and absolutely crushes a streamer?
That’s a fall trout fishing memory you’ll carry for a long time.
Chase Fall Trout While You Can
The fall trout season in Wisconsin is special, but it doesn’t last forever.
The October 15 sunset closure marks the end of the regular inland trout season, making September and the first half of October some of the most valuable days of the year for Driftless Area fly fishing.
If you’ve been waiting for the cooler weather, aggressive trout and brilliant fall colors, now is the time to get on the water.
Come chase fall brown trout, hopper eats, technical BWO rises and hard-charging streamer fish before the season slips away.