The North Platte, the “Reef” for short (at least our home waters of the Platte) are synonymous around these parts for some great fishing. Great numbers and some dandies call this section home. Visions of big browns, rainbows and even the cutthroat are big. For those that fish here, normally visons of indicator rigs and technical, precise nymphing come to mind. A bulk of the season, this would be correct, and the most productive way to tap into the full potential of the size and numbers anglers seek. Well, hello fall fishing and out comes the bag of tricks and no more one trick pony.
The Dry Drop
For from a secret technique or the newest greatest thing, the dry drop is a go-to-fall look. Who doesn’t like a dry drop? Fun and easy to cast as opposed to long leader, heavy weight nymph rig chuck and tuck. Dry fly eats and deadly nymphing? Yes please, I’ll take some of that for the day. This time of year can bring noses and pods of working fish, so no need to fumble for the rod change. Acquire a target and go to work. More technical pods, downsize that dry and nymph. Want to run bigger or heavier nymphs, leeches or bugger type patterns? Then the tried-and-true Chubby variations will work.
Bottom line, fall fishing can be great and opens the options and with summertime weeds still around make for more effective way to fish around them. The fish are around ‘em. Have fun out there and get out there.
