Too hot for trout fishing? Beat the heat with these 5 summer fly-fishing challenges

For many anglers across Canada, summer is peak fishing season. However, it’s often a different story for fly anglers, especially those who mostly fish for trout in rivers. In many regions, low summer flows and higher water temperatures make trout fishing unproductive and, at times, ethically questionable.

So, what’s the ardent fly angler to do between Canada Day and Labour Day? For me, summer is a low-risk time to experiment with different fish species, places and techniques. If my other options are to ride the couch or accidentally kill heat-stressed trout, I’d rather get some fresh air and take a chance on the unfamiliar. Surprisingly often, I end up discovering enjoyable new aspects of fly fishing in the process. And even when things don’t pan out, I learn a lot from the failures. To help fire up your fly-fishing imagination, here are some ideas for fun summer challenges…