Fishing the Water Boatman Fall (by Steve Hahn)

September 24, 2008 at 8:48 pm

Autumn is in full swing here in the Yukon. The yellowing of the foliage and snow dusted peaks tell of the winter slumber to come. The intense smell of fall seems to permeate every aspect of outdoor life. The pungent aroma decaying fireweed triggers an awakening of the senses, anesthetized by the dog days of summer. The season triggers many fly anglers to look to Haines for the annual return of the Coho salmon. Not to be overlooked though is the outstanding corixa or water boatman hatch occurring in our local pothole lakes. Large trout key in on this year end aquatic predator and ravenously feed on water boatman in preparation for the long winter. I never thought much of the stories of success fishing water boatman in the fall, sticking mainly to “ripping and stripping” leeches and attractors in the late season. After seeing very large fish gorging on these water beetles a few seasons ago, I decided to give it a try. Well my divergence from routine was rewarded and I have not looked back. Knowing the right presentation for these insects will reward the ardent fisher with the previously lock jawed leviathans in the northern lakes.

When one thinks of water boatman, an image of the light footed water strider that skims along the surface film of a calm lake or pond comes to mind. This of course is not the case. The family Corixidae is a dweller of both the subsurface and the air….migrating to and from the shallows in the spring through fall. Colloquially known as the water boatman, these air breathing beetle-like insects look like rowboats’ with long appendages protruding from each side as they dive and swim through the water column. With an air bubble nestled in the underside of their abdomen to breath from, these underwater clowns carry their own “scuba tank” allowing them to focus full concentration on hunting scuds, chronomids and plankton. Therein is the boatman’s one weakness to trout…the bubble of air reflects light giving away its location whenever light hits it. Trout lie on the bottom and target the flashes as boatman return from the surface with a fresh air supply.

Up close and personal!

During the fall time females descend to and from the bottom depositing their eggs after mating in the tall grass at the waters edge. Trout key in on this and so can the fly fisher. Simply anchor off of shoals and drop offs and cast toward the shore. The most effective line for this presentation is a type III sinking line with a ten foot section of floating poly leader and a three foot section of monofilament tippet looped onto the business end. This will allow the fly to ride under the surface with neutral density and the fly line to sag underneath it. Let the line and leader sink into position over a 30 to 60 second count. When the line is then retrieved with short strip retrieves, the fly will make a bee line toward the bottom as if to go for cover. The strike will come as the fly is on its hurried descent so be prepared for the set. Often, with polarized glasses you will see the fish break cover and attack the fly. A six to eight pound tippet is a must, as these takes tend to rip line from the hand and have resulted in a few unattended rods being pulled overboard in years gone by. OOPs!

Presentation of the Fly

For those who have not heard of poly leaders, these are five, ten or fifteen foot sections of polyethylene leader material that can be looped onto fly lines to create a high floating to deep sinking section above the tipped. Available in four densities from floating to heavy sink, these reusable devices allow the fly fisher to fish all parts of the water column without the use of lead shot. I sell these leaders and would love to talk further on them but that is a topic for another discussion. I am really impressed with this system and hope to talk more in future articles.

Snowbee Poly Leaders

As for fly selection, the imitation should be no more than ten millimeters in length or a size ten to twelve hook. The pattern should have prominent legs of rubber or other fluid material, a Mylar or glass bead should be positioned toward the rear of the fly to catch light and nylon or foam eyes on the front. Some imitations have a foam shellback to enhance the neutral buoyancy associated with the presentation. They are very easy tie and I have several imitations at my shop that are all Yukon tested.

Various Water Boatman Presentations

The cool winds and vibrant colors mark the end of a flurry of activity on Yukon lakes during the comparatively short northern summer. I love fishing the boatman as it is slow and satisfying. It allows one to reflect on the angling adventures of the past fishing season, while taking in the sounds, smells and feel of autumns caress. Fall is a favorite time of year on the water. There is a slower pace in which to reflect, while targeting large trout on the fly. Try it and you just might become a convert like me. 

Have fun and tight lines.

Steve Hahn owns and operates Headwaters 2 Ocean Troutfitter a retail fly shop and outfitting business run out of his home in Whitehorse. He has fished stillwaters since childhood and continues to be amazed at the amount of knowledge there is to be found. Call him up and he will get you dialed with the latest patterns and equipment for fly angling in the Yukon. Look him up on his website: www.h2otroutfitter.com

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