HomeWaters

World-Class Fly Fishing

On the Water: Falling Forward

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A nice steelhead caught last fall as the leaves were full of color in Erie. Well done Tom!

While fly fishing at HomeWaters recently, it’s easy to sense that fall is fast approaching. Cooler temperatures and crisp air serve a reminder that summer is winding down.

Many of you know that I am a four seasons angler, which means that I enjoy spending time on the water during each season of the year. As we are “falling foward”, let’s talk about a few reasons we have to look forward to the fall fishing season.

1. Fall Weather- Cooler temperatures in the fall make it a refreshing time of year to spend outdoors. Even after a cooler summer like we had this year, the crisp air of the fall stills brings about a unique feel. Fall is the perfect time of the year to take advantage of great fishing, and extra time on the water before the seasons change again.

2. Fall Foliage- The only thing that could rival the vibrant colors of the trout, would the fall foliage in our area of central Pennsylvania. Being out on our water as the leaves are turning is something that I think every angler should experience first hand.

3. Steelhead Season- In addition to the fall trout fishing at HomeWaters, we also welcome the start of steelhead season on our Erie beats during the fall months. Steelhead are a thrill to land as they fight hard, make long runs, and leap through the air. The opportunity to catch steelhead in the fall is something that I look forward to every year.

It’s not to early to think about your fall trout and steelhead fishing trips. Before we know it the fall fishing will be in full effect.

If you need to get your days on the water this fall set up, talk to Joel and he can help you out.

Fly Fishing Gear: Selecting a Rain Coat

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A nice brown caught in Spruce Creek on a rainy day last week.

A nice brown caught in Spruce Creek on a rainy day last week.

Over the last week there were several days that we spent on the water during the rain, which has me thinking about rain coats. Fly fishing during the rain can be quite comfortable, but you have to come to the water prepared for the elements.

In today’s world, there is no shortage of viable options for a rain coat. However, there are still a few items worth discussing when selecting a rain coat for a day of fly fishing.

One of the most important parts of a rain coat is selecting the right size. When it comes to a rain coat for fishing, it’s a good idea to consider a few sizes larger than normal. During the colder months, it’s important to have enough room to fit extra layers of clothing underneath. Having a jacket with plenty of room to spare will also give you the ability to wear your raincoat over top of your vest or pack, which will keep your gear from getting soaked.

Other features that I look at when selecting a rain coat for fly fishing are pockets and a hood. Having a large hood that fits over a hat brim helps keep water off the head, which is much more comfortable.

It’s also nice to have a few pockets on the front of the jacket to keep items that are frequently used easy to reach. Since I keep most of my gear out of the weather under my coat, I slip items such as forceps, split shot, a few spools of tippet, or a small fly box in the pockets of my jacket.

Over the last couple rainy days the fishing has been very good. If it’s time to add a new raincoat to your fly fishing arsenal, talk to Joel in the fly shop and he can help you out.