Flyfishing and Flowers! - by Jay Forrest

Billy Trimble’s references to flowers and white bass fishing reminded me of a book given to me several years ago titled The Phenological Fly: A Method for Meeting and Matching the Super Hatches of the West, by Bob Scammel. In this small book of 63 pages Scammel outlines the major hatches of the Canadian and American west, and uses photographs of the actual insects along with the flowers that serve as indicators of the hatch.

Scammel’s book was my introduction to the logic of tying flowers to fly fishing and, in particular, to fly selection. After reading the book one is prepared to arrive at a western river, look at the flowers in bloom, and select the appropriate flies to use – without any special knowledge of or experience with the river.

While warm water fishing and salt water fishing generally lack the insect specific character of fishing for trout, Billy’s comments about white bass and flowers triggered a recognition that our southern fishing patterns could be tied to flowers.

The dearth of wildflowers in late fall and winter coincide with colder weather and water. Our warm water species generally move to deeper water and are less available to us as fly fishermen. Many of us turn our attention to trout. And on the Guadalupe, thanks to the relatively stable temperature of its tailwater flow, hatches are not influenced much by ambient temperature. So flower patterns have little significance.

White bass begin gathering as the spring wildflower season begins and bluebonnets show their color. The run lasts several weeks and is, as Billy Trimble suggests, coming to an end by the time the wildflowers really get going. At the same time, black bass are moving into the shallows to spawn.

But having the wildflowers going and bluebonnets waning is a good indicator that our rivers, lakes, and coast are warming to the point that our warm water species are moving into shallow water to feed. The fish are more accessible and surface action is picking up. Afternoons are typically prime fishing times. As the wildflower season progresses the waters warm and the prime fishing times of day will tend to move earlier in the day. Tailing redfish become prime targets. Matching the hatch will generally mean smaller flies – as young frogs, minnows, shrimp, and crabs are available in numbers.

With the dryness of summer, the grass grows crunchy and the waters begin to become truly warm. Sunflowers begin to bloom. Afternoon fishing often slows to a crawl. Mornings and late afternoons become prime times in either fresh or salt water. Afternoon fishing is likely to be deep if it is to be successful. Flies should be larger to match the hatch as the offspring of spring are growing.

The doldrums of summer continue until September. Asters and fall flowers begin to appear. Fresh water fishing picks up as the waters cool. The coast enters prime time! Both freshwater and salt, the fish can be active all day. They will typically be feeding aggressively and bait will be nearing maturity. Matching the hatch will mean larger flies.

As asters wane and frosts approach, the expanding fishing peaks of the spring will reverse and the warmer waters of afternoon will become prime fishing times. Mornings and dusk are likely to be slow as the fish stay deeper and wait for warmer water in the shallows.

Slowly the wildflowers wane, waters grow colder, the afternoon peaks decline, until a major front chills the water sending the fish deep for the winter – until the wildflowers begin to once again appear.