Fishing through the changes of late summer

Let’s start with hoppers.

By now every trout in every river should be geared into taking big grasshoppers, as they have been around all summer and bungled their way into rivers.

That’s been partially true this year – until our recent heavy storms knocked them off, drowned them on land, and kept them out of the water. The fish have remained keyed on them – somewhat.

What they’re seeing now will more likely be a new wave of grasshoppers – young insects ranging from #14 and #12 imitations on up. If the trout you’re prospecting for don’t take that same big mouthful you’ve been throwing, try a smal...