Rules to Fly Fishing During the Spawn: Keep it Over-Easy

I'll try to keep the egg puns to a minimum, but "Over-Easy" aptly describes the action to be expected when fishing during or around the spawn; you will catch a lot of fish! Like a bunch of frat boys posturing at a bar before close, trout get aggressive and make poor decisions when they are getting ready to spawn. While this results in fish easily seduced by flashy flies and egg patterns, there are some rules that should be adhered to in order to protect the fishery and the future of the sport.

1. Give Them Some Privacy: Trout will be actively feeding on and keying into eggs throughout the river during the spawn. If you see fish sitting on their spawning redds, cast to some different fish.

2. Watch Your Step: Trout redds, or spawning beds, will be market as lighter patches of gravel swept clear of moss and algae. Keep your eyes open and wade around these spots. Clumsy wading can inadvertently stomp out the next generation of fish!

3. Quick to Hand: Trout expend a lot of energy during the spawn migrating to spawning areas, producing eggs, and protecting their redds. Don't over play fish during the spawn, but bring them to hand quickly and take time to revive them before the release.

4. Everything in Moderation: Your parents assured you that there are "a lot of fish in the sea". Well, the same is true of the river as well. Don't over-fish a particular hole or stretch, but catch a few trout and move on.

5. Think of the Children: I know that this sounds dramatic, but think before you cast. If a particular river or stretch is recovering from a hot summer, drought, or has been stressed by development or agriculture, fish somewhere else and let the trout rebuild their numbers. I promise you the fish will still be there in a month!