When fly fishing, there’s a lot for anglers to consider, including their equipment, the area, and the fish species they’re hoping to catch. Anglers must also think about the time, but when is the best time of the day to fly fish?
We’ll help you figure this out with our guide of factors to consider and the benefits of fishing at night!
Factors To Consider When Choosing What Time To Fish
Before you decide on a time of day to start fly fishing, there are various factors to consider.
Species
What species are you fishing? Different fish like different conditions, including time of day and temperature, for hunting their food. For example, trout like to avoid the heat in the summer, so they’re most active at dusk and dawn.
Research your fishing spot and species to see what conditions are ripe for their activity.
Season
The time of the year also profoundly affects when fish are most active. In the dog days of summer, fish like to stay hidden or lower in the water to stay cool. On a cold day in fall, spring, or winter, they’re likely to come out when the sun is at its peak to warm up.
Depth
Are you fishing in a shallow river or deep lake? The deeper the water, the cooler it is, influencing when the fish will be most active. Consider the depth of where you’re fishing when deciding the best time to cast a line.
Benefits of Fly Fishing at Night
Although many people love the feel of the warm sun while they’re fly fishing, the conditions for fishing at night are very advantageous for anglers. Some of the benefits of fly fishing at night include the following.
Bigger Fish
As we mentioned, bigger fish will often wait until dusk or night to come out and grab something to eat, especially in the summer. If you haven’t had any luck during the day, come back later when the sun goes down and the temperature cools to see if your luck improves.
Cooler Temperatures
A day of fly fishing is always a good day, but it can be challenging for anglers to sit out in the hot summer air all day. If you want to relax and enjoy fishing a little more, consider trying at night when temperatures cool off. When the weather is cooler, you can be more comfortable and patient while fishing.
Get Closer to Fish
There’s also a practical advantage to fly fishing at night—the fish can’t see you! You still have to stay quiet and move carefully, but the cover of darkness can greatly help anglers catch fish that would usually see them coming.
The best time of the day to fly fish will depend on many factors, from the calendar date to the water depth. But if you do the proper research, the benefit could be bigger fish to take home!
