Sorry, I couldn’t resist the cheesy title. October brings shorter days, cooler water, and trout that are hungry enough to devour some spooky-looking flies. But this isn’t just about a playful theme—darker patterns really do trigger aggressive eats that are harder to come by during other times of the year. Below is a collection of streamers, with a few wet flies mixed in, that consistently produce when fall rolls around. These patterns aren’t just for fun—they catch fish.
October Is Great for Fly Fishing
As water cools and clouds return, trout bounce back from the dog days of summer. They feed more aggressively, packing on weight before winter sets in. Brown trout, in particular, are famous for their fall aggression, and summer-run steelhead add to the excitement with strong grabs and acrobatic runs. Fall also brings steady hatches of mayflies and midges, fueling feeding frenzies for resident trout eager to bulk up.
The “Scary Good” Trout Flies
Galloup’s Boogieman – A sculpin imitation that moves serious water. The wool head pushes current, while the mallard flank back helps the fly whip tantalizingly through runs. Big browns can’t resist this meaty snack. Olive is my go-to, but I favor white when targeting hungry bull trout.
Vampire Leech – A deadly stillwater pattern with a hotspot bead and dark, swimmy body. Simple but effective. I once fished a larger version under an indicator on the Deschutes and even hooked a steelhead.
Black Ghost – A classic streamer from Maine dating back to the 1920s. Its slim profile—black floss body, yellow accents, and white feather or marabou wing—still fools fish today, especially in moving water. Northeasterners fish this fly for predators with a slight twitch or a dead-drift.
Undertaker – A timeless steelhead wet fly that earns its place in any fall box. Its fluorescent tricolor butt, peacock herl body, and black hackle/wing keep things simple yet effective. As the saying goes, steelhead will take any fly—as long as it’s black.
The Black & Orange – Forever a fall favorite. This pattern features an orange floss body and black tail. The wet fly version adds a black schlappen throat and wing, while the soft hackle uses black-dyed partridge. Both shine during an October Caddis hatch, but trout will eat them year-round.
Final Thoughts
Streamers excel at dawn and dusk when predators are most active. Leeches remain productive all day, especially in off-colored water. The Black & Orange works year-round but really shines in autumn when dark, contrasting colors take over. The Undertaker continues to hook summer steelhead when swung properly.
Whichever pattern you tie on, remember presentation is everything—match your technique to the conditions and fish with integrity. And when October chills set in, don’t be afraid to tie up something a little spooky.
-T
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