What is the Best Time of Day to FlyFish for Trout

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Imagine standing on the edge of your favorite creek or river first thing in the morning…

You have butterflies in your stomach as you prepare to cast your fly rod for the first time of the day. There’s so much anticipation leading up to that first cast, you want so badly to start the day off on a high note.

This is how every fishing trip starts, high expectations, and a desire to land fish fast. In this article I will tell you the best time of day to fly fish for trout.

Fly fishing for trout can truly be one of the most rewarding fishing styles out there. It requires the perfect approach, the perfect cast, and an even more perfect presentation.

In order to give ourselves an advantage over the fish, we have to take advantage of the best time of day to fly fish for trout.

No one of these fishing times will guarantee results, but they will most definitely increase your chances.

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What is the Best Time of Day to Fly Fish? 🤔

The best time of day to fly fish is sunrise and sunset.

Fly fishing during an insect “hatch” will produce great results as well. 🐣

A “hatch” is when insects mature into adulthood on or near the water’s surface. During summer months, cloud covered days and night fishing can be advantageous as well.

The best time of the day to fly fish for trout has many variables; from the streamside vegetation, what’s in the environment, the substrate on the bottom of the streams, the water temperature, there’s so much to take into consideration.

Time of Year & Water Temperature 🌡️

Let’s talk about the first rule of thumb, and that is the time of year, or water temperature.

We know trout like cool water, so in the summer months when the water is warm, I find early in the mornings the best. The water’s had all day to heat up in the sun, and the air’s been warmer at night time most nights.

The air cools down a bit and it might just take the edge off the water for the trout. Now, this isn’t the be all and end all, but it makes sense to me to fish first thing in the morning in the summer months when that water is likely to be cooler.

In the cooler time of year, where it’s very bloody cold, early spring or in the autumn, I prefer the warmest time of the day. The reason being, there is not a lot of insect life around.

On the nice calm days when the sun comes out, once things start to warm up, the butterflies start to hatch and they start flying around. It can take quite a while for the warmth in the air to stimulate the ecosystem. So, in the cooler weather, like in the autumn, try fishing in the warmer times of the day when the warmth from the sun has had time to wake up all the little insects, and get the insects flying.

Once the insects start flying, both the birds and the trout go after the insects. The warmth from the sun stimulates the environment, stimulates the ecosystem, and that includes the fish in it.

So in summer, try early in the morning. That’s rule number one.

Rule number two, in the cooler weather, try the middle of the day.

The third rule to live by is, if you’re using earthbound baits, choose any time of the day. By that, I mean bait that comes out of the ground. Cock chaffer grubs, witchety grubs, worms or whatever, if you’re using bait that is dug up out of the ground, you can fish any time of the day.

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Fly Fish During First Light 🌄

Have you ever heard the expression, the early bird gets the worm?

Well fly fishing is no exception. Trout are actually very aggressive predator fish. As the sun first begins to rise, trout actually have better visibility.

This increased visibility allows fish to see and track food easier. These trout have not been able to see well all night (unless it was a full moon) and are hungry.

Another advantage to first light is the increase in temperature. As temperature rises insects become active as well and we know what eats insects.

FLY SELECTION TIP: As you are walking to the waters edge form your vehicle, keep an eye out for what insects may be flying or hopping around.

Are the grass hoppers out?

Are there mosquitoes buzzing your face?

Look for large ants scampering over rocks or flying near by?

These are all clues to what fish maybe be eating.

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Start Fishing Before Sunset 🌚

Be aware that, as the day goes on and the fish have filled their bellies, the warmer and hotter weather will may turn the bite off for a while.

This is normal when fly fishing. The trout typically will not eat all day long if food is plentiful. Just like humans eating dinner, trout need to eat at time dinner too (to be satiated during the night).

The sun is about to set and they will not get another meal until the it comes back up in the morning.

I like to start fly fishing heavily about two hours before the sun goes down. This is when the temperatures start to cool down and once again the insects become active.

Just as we did when fly fishing at sun rise, we want to again observe our surroundings for insects.

Usually this is a great time to use caddis flies, stimulators, or hoppers.

A hatch happens when larvae, usually midges or stones, hatch near the surface and begin to fly around.

“Match the Hatch” During the Hatches 🐣

Hatches are typically very noticeable if you are paying attention. Hatches can occur at any time of the day.

It is vital to always be watching the surface of the water scanning for trout busting the surface (a ‘busta‘). I can’t tell you how many times I have been fishing midge patterns or stone flies when I notice there are hundreds of small flies buzzing the surface.

FLY SELECTION TIP: When you see the hatch start, pay close attention to the size and color of the insects. Do your best to “match the hatch” for best results.

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Fishing with Cloud Cover 🌥️

Cloud cover can be a good thing when searching for the best time to fly fish. The clouds offer protection form the sun, and in turn, lower temperatures.

A slight fluctuation in temperatures can turn the bite on if the weather has been consistently warmer.

Conversely, if the weather has been cold and we get cloud cover, this could cause a negative effect.

Often times when cloud cover presents itself during warmer seasons, I find sub surface flies work best.

Night Time Fishing 🌃

On occasion I have tried my hand fly fishing at night. Although I have not had much success personally, I do have friends that have done quite well.

Night fishing can be effective when the temps have been above normal, and also when you have good lighting from the moon.

The moon plays a huge role in the feeding cycle of fish 🌕 Some species of fish have been known to feed at night more than others, such as trout.

You can find lunar tables for best time of day to fish here.

Closing Thoughts 🏁 Best Time to Fly Fish

Keep in mind that the best time of day to fly fish is when you can. Anytime you can sneak away and get a line wet is a perfect time to fly fish. That being said let’s recap some of the key points we covered in this article.

• While an Insect Hatch is Occurring
• Fishing at First Lite
• Fly Fishing at Sunset
• Fishing with Cloud Cover
• Night Fishing

The most important tip is worth repeating again;

MATCH THE HATCH!

The best time to fly fish is when an active hatch is happening. Keep your eyespealed and on the lookout 👀 Not all hatches are huge swarms of bugs, it may be subtle!