The nights are getting cooler, and the sun is sinking lower on the horizon. Fall fishing is upon us! The Clark Fork has been slowly cooling down over the past couple of days, and its flows have seen a nice mid-September bump. It's about time for the big browns to begin making their way into smaller waters before heading to their redds.

With the heart of September passing us by, we're starting to see the beginnings of our favorite fall hatches. October caddis and BWOs will be the mainstays from here until the first snowfall. Mahoganies haven’t been reported yet, but you can bet that the fish will be keying into them any day now. Large rust Goddard caddis, BWO Film Critics, and Parachute Mahogany Dunns should be your fly choices for the end of September.

With the cold, overcast weather we've been seeing lately, it’s time to start switching to streamer rods. As the fish begin their journey up the tributaries, they are switching into predator mode and are eager to attack whatever you throw in front of them. Since it’s fall, a Sparkle Minnow or Yummy in yellow or JJ should be the key to finding those colored-up, angry trout in skinny waters. Jigged streamers are also great for searching deeper pools or larger, faster runs.

You can’t walk along the riverbanks without realizing just how effective nymphs are right now. October caddis larvae are crawling on the river rocks, much to the delight of the trout. You can either swing wet flies or use the traditional bobber approach. And for those who prefer Euro-nymphing, don’t worry—it’s just as effective as ever. Any large, orange-bead-headed nymph will work well, along with classic patterns like Pat’s Rubber Legs and TJ Hookers.