Summer flies by

I WAS helping out with some “flies of the month” suggestions for rivers and stillwaters recently, which is a fairly broad question.

- BY LOUIS FEROX

In theory, we have a multitude of patterns available to us and the changeable conditions dictate a lot of flexibility. In practice, we all have some bias, a stack of practical experience and a fair idea of where to start.

July is the month for the evening rise, probably the most regular mealtime trout have.

Even on apparently perfect fishing days, flies may not hatch in the morning or afternoon but there will usually be a rise of some sort in the evening.

My friend reckoned he'd get away with a yellow owl in August or a Montana if he really needed to, that might be sarcasm or just a reluctance to change flies.