When summer settles over Ontario, the rivers shimmer with promise. You’ll hear mayflies flitting at dusk, feel the cool breath of shaded creeks, and catch the sound of trout rising before sunrise. It’s a season of early mornings and long drifts, when the sun stretches high and the fish feed low.
From quiet northern streams to southern bass waters, fly fishing in Canada offers more diversity than most realize. Right now, Ontario’s summer season is in full swing, with dry fly windows, active hatches, and cool tributaries calling out.
Keep reading to learn how to make the most of fly fishing in Ontario with proven tips, essential gear, and top destinations across the province.
What to Expect From Ontario’s Summer Fly Scene
If you’ve fished through spring’s flood or fall’s chill, summer offers a different rhythm. The rivers run lower and clearer. Algae growth can rise in still waters, but fast-moving fishing rivers, such as the Grand or Credit, stay fishable well into August.
Insect life peaks during summer, and fish respond accordingly. Expect active feeding at dawn and dusk, when the water cools and hatches spike. Midday heat might push trout into deep pools, while smallmouth bass cruise shaded shorelines looking for action.
Regardless of the species you pursue, you must prioritize your gear. Wading into slippery shale beds? Wear Simms wading boots for grip. And always pack Simms rain gear, because July storms can roll in fast, and staying dry keeps you fishing longer.
Must-Have Fly Fishing Gear in 2025
Tackling Ontario’s waters takes the right versatile, durable, and summer-tough tools. Here’s what to trust for this year’s season:
- Rod: The Redington EDC Fly Rod is a compact, all-around performer for travel and day trips. Its medium-fast action is forgiving yet responsive, ideal for everything from creek trout to bass flats.
- Rod weight: For trout and panfish, a 3–5 weight rod keeps things sporting and smooth. For smallmouth, pike, or carp, reach for a 6–7 weight to handle wind, current, and heavier flies without sacrificing control.
- Line: Pair your Redington EDC Fly Rod with the Rio Mainstream Trout WF Fly Line, which loads easily and casts smoothly, even for beginners. It works well across most Ontario conditions and gives good turnover for dries and nymphs.
- Tippet and leader: When switching flies often (and you will), the RIO Powerflex Trout Tapered Leader keeps presentations natural. For quick access to spools, clip on the Fishpond Headgate Tippet Holder; it’s lightweight and almost impossible to break.
- Accessories: Don’t forget your shades! More importantly, don’t forget to secure them. The Cablz Flyz keeps sunglasses tight to your head and out of the river when leaning over a deep pool.
- Footwear: Simms G3 waders grip rocky beds, mossy ledges, and muddy banks — don’t wade without them.
Summer Flies That Catch
To be successful on the water, you’re gonna need the right fly and know when to throw it. Here are five patterns us Ontario anglers rely on all summer long:
Hopper Patterns
When summer heat drives trout to the banks, grasshoppers start falling in. Foam-bodied hopper flies like the Morrish Hopper are deadly when cast tight to grassy edges on rivers like the Saugeen or Bighead.
Stimulator
When caddis are hatching, especially on highland streams or shaded cuts, the Stimulator dances across the surface like the real thing.
Woolly Bugger
This classic pattern imitates baitfish, leeches, or nymphs, depending on how it’s fished. Strip it through deeper runs or dead drift along bottom seams.
Parachute Adams
When trout get picky, this dry fly floats clean and rides low, making it perfect for evening rises on the Credit or Grand.
Clouser Minnow
If you’re hunting bass in warmer backwaters, the Clouser gives just enough jig action to trigger strikes. Cast along submerged logs or rocky shelves.
Presentation tips: Cast upstream and let the current carry your fly into view. Add small twitches to attract interest in still water. And for the love of fishing, always watch your line because many summers snap subtle and fast.
Best Summer Fly Fishing Spots in Ontario
Ontario’s got water for days: lakes, streams, rivers, and backcountry cuts you’d miss if you blinked.
Some days, you’re hiking into a cold, shaded creek with brook trout rising in the riffles. Other days, you’re drifting across a sunlit flat with smallmouth smashing poppers like they haven’t eaten in a week!
Summer’s when it all opens up. Just pick a direction, pack your fly gear, and find your water.
We find the following seasonal hot spots worth exploring:
Grand River (Southwestern Ontario)
Ask around, and most folks will point you to the Grand below the Shand Dam. That tailwater stays cool all summer thanks to bottom-drawn flows, and the trout know it.
They’ll sip midges, chase mayflies, and come up hard for caddis if you hit it right. Your best shot at a dry-fly take is early morning or just before the sun dips. The wading’s easy near Fergus and Elora, and the fishing can be downright steady.
Credit River (GTA & Peel Region)
You wouldn’t think so, with all the traffic and subdivisions nearby, but the Credit River still hides some wild stretches, especially up around Inglewood and Cheltenham.
Cold, clear water winds through maple stands, and come summer evenings, brookies and browns start looking up. They’re no dummies, though. You’ll need a long leader, a soft cast, and boots that don’t make a sound.
Wait for the light to drop, then drift a size 14–18 Parachute Adams. If you do it right, you’ll see heads sipping before you even feel the take.
Kawartha Creeks (Eastern Ontario)
Those warm, skinny creeks feeding into the Kawartha Lakes are prime smallmouth water once summer heats up. They’ll smash poppers in a foot of water, hit streamers like they’re starving, and chase down a Clouser if you twitch it just right near the structure. It’s fast, fun fishing.
Nipigon River (Northwestern Ontario)
Cold, oxygen-rich water keeps the big ones active all summer here. These fish will peel lines and test your knots, whether you’re swinging a streamer through a tailout or skating dry across a slow seam.
Wading here takes respect. The current’s pushy, and the bottom drops fast. Good boots, a tight belt, and trust in your gear aren’t optional.
Ottawa River Back Bays (Eastern Ontario)
While the main channels might seem a bit intimidating, the back bays and side arms of the Ottawa River are prime smallmouth territory. Look for rocky shoals, shaded banks, and current seams where baitfish gather.
Sink-tip lines and weighted flies, such as the Flash Fly Pro-Rigged, come in handy here. These areas can also surprise you with the odd pike or walleye willing to chase a well-placed streamer.
Saugeen River (Bruce-Grey County)
Winding through farm country and forests, the Saugeen River offers different species throughout the summer; trout in the upper stretches and bass downstream. The water stays cool enough in many sections for active morning bites.
Albany River (Far North Ontario)
Remote and wild, the Albany River is a frontier-level adventure for those willing to go deep into Ontario’s north. Accessible mostly by fly-in or long canoe trip, this river system supports trophy brook trout, summer-active pike, and walleye.
Conservation reminder: Always check Ontario’s current 2025 fishing regulations before visiting new waters. Many areas have seasonal closures, barbless hook rules, or limits on catch-and-release to protect sensitive fish during warm months. Responsible angling keeps these waters healthy and open for future seasons.
Fly Fishing Tips from a Wise Old Fisherman
Some tricks only come with time on the water. Here’s what the seasoned anglers say about making the most of Ontario’s summer fly season:
- Fish early, fish late: Trout and bass feed more actively when the water is cool
- Read the current: Dead drifts work best in riffles; subtle twitches excel in deep, slow pools
- Dress to blend: Subtle, earthy clothing helps you avoid scaring off the fish in clear rivers
- Change flies more often: If you’re not getting strikes in 10–15 casts, switch up the pattern or size
- Bring two rods: Having one set up for dries and another for streamers saves time, and sometimes the bite
Centrepin and Fly is a Summer Hybrid
Some Ontario anglers blend fly fishing with the smooth drifts of a centrepin setup. Using centrepin reels, you can run flies like streamers or egg patterns under a float.
This hybrid method works darn well in the Grand or Saugeen systems, where traditional fly presentations might struggle with current speed. It’s not purist fly fishing, but let me tell ya, it sure catches fish.
Where the Fly Lands, the Story Begins
Ontario’s got everything — highland trout trickles, bass-filled rivers, and a dozen surprises in between. Those who do well pack light, watch the water, and stay ready to adjust their approach.
The season’s short, so don’t waste a cast. Know your spots, trust your instincts, and keep your fly box stocked with possibilities. That’s how you make a fly fishing summer count.
