RMR: Chasing Fall Flows: When Rivers Get Better, Not Worse
As summer fades into autumn, most anglers and boaters stow away their gear and reflect on productive spring and summer trips. But it doesn’t have to be this way. As summer winds down, so do the crowds. Even the most popular rivers have a small fraction of their summer traffic after schools get back in session. Seasonal weather changes bring cooler nights and increased precipitation. Rivers that became too warm for trout fishing came back online, with flows that haven’t been seen since early summer. And getting on the water at daybreak isn’t quite as dauting of a task in the fall as our northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun. With fall being a transitional season, you can still experience summer-like conditions on one day, and then drastically different conditions the next. It is a season to “chase fall flows”, which means to watch for optimal weather, river stage, and water temperatures to line up. Rocky Mountain Rafts are built to handle these changing conditions. Flows that are on the high and low end of can be tough on a raft, but RMR’s tough PVC rafts with welded seams can handle it all.
Cooler Weather, Better River Days
Cooler fall weather can make a long float or a multi-day float much more comfortable. You won’t need to spend as much effort prepping for hydration, sun block, and the rigors that come with paddling in the heat all day. By October, mornings are cool, and that invigorating sensation coupled with the smell and sight of colorful leaves provides a stimulus that can’t be found anywhere else. The cool temperatures and more overcast conditions that persist throughout the fall will extend your productive fishing hours further into the day. So often we have all experienced great fishing conditions that come to a grinding halt as soon as a blazing summer sun comes up over a hill. The more dramatic daily temperature swings will necessitate brining more gear, as you shed and add layers of clothing throughout the day. RMR offers many different rafts that are built for storage and comfort. Models ranging from the 12’ Roll-Cast to the 13’ 2” Double-Haul offer storage areas and tie down points that allow anglers to bring as much as they need.
Chasing the Flows
As mentioned above, “Chasing Fall Flows” is an important concept. In the spring, flows are generally higher. Precipitation raises the water levels temporarily, but the baseline water height of the rivers is higher than in the summer. Fall season flows are building off of low water levels that often are the norm in late summer. Those first few fall precipitation events can hit hard, but they often drain quickly through the watershed. Its not until November that rivers build themselves back up as a result of increased precipitation, decreased evaporation and decreased water uptake from plants. With all of these variables in flux throughout the fall season, boaters and anglers would be best served to monitor an outlet like the National Water Prediction Service. This service, and many other apps can give accurate predictions a few days out, allowing you to plan for the conditions.
Conclusion
Fall is probably the most overlooked time of year for boating and angling. All of the best aspects of spring and summer fishing are still available in the fall along with more positives. If you still want to fish in tee-shirt weather, but would rather not fight crowds of people, all the while enjoying the glory of autumn leaves, don’t skip this fall season on the water. As always, RMR has what you need for any and all river conditions. Check out our website for any and all rafting needs ranging from new raft purchases, accessories, replacement parts, merch, and more.
