Not only does the fall bring with it a change in season, change in weather, and change in fishing tactics, it also brings a change in the crowd around town. The college kids show back up, most of the tourist families are gone, and things start to settle back into some semblance of routine. Fall brings an entirely new group of people to Montana, folks we call “The Fall Wannabes”
The Fall Wannabes are the folks that are typically older, wealthier, and snobbier than your average person. They flock to the waters of the west in search of the epic hatches and big fish of fall. Typically, they reside in the larger cities, or in areas of the country without native and wild trout populations.
And of course, they know everything.
It doesn’t matter what you try to tell them, or what the current conditions are, they know best. God forbid the locals who live and breathe the fishing culture in the area would be able to give them any advice or tips. Such was the case with two dumbasses in the store last night.
I forget where they said they were from, but the one guy knew everything there was to know about rods, reels, flies, etc. Didn’t matter that everything he was spouting to his buddy was wrong. My favorite part of the conversation was when he argued with me about a Cortland spool fitting on an Okuma reel, and the fact that he needed 200 yards of backing for Hebgen Lake. True, there are some big fish in there, but for God’s sake, these aren’t tarpon we’re talking about.
Another prime example would be the Californian who had just moved here from Jackson Hole after he “ordered my two brides from China. I didn’t want them to be in such a tiny town.” He not only had never fly fished before, but was convinced that his 8 inch rubber bass worms would work in Hyalite Creek.
It doesn’t matter what part of the world you live in, if there is good fishing near by, the Fall Wannabes will be out in force. The best remedy is just to nod your head, say “uh huh” to whatever they blather about, and pray to God that they don’t move to the neighborhood.
The best fishing of the year brings in all types. Might as well enjoy the show.
