More rain fell in the last week. We are not back to great water levels, but we bought another month and have increased our potential to fish most afternoons and evenings. Temps in the upper 70’s or 80’s might change that, but for now, assume water temps won’t be your excuse for a poor outing.
Two weekends ago, we could do no wrong. Double digit fish to the net after the second or third riffle. This last weekend, we had to work hard to have half of that success. That’s why we call it fishing.
Small flies are the ticket. Other than terrestrials, all the bugs in and on the water are no bigger than 16 with most in the 18 to 20 range. Use your favorite small Mayfly, Caddis and MIdge imitations near the bottom. I noticed some Blue Wing Olives above the water Sunday evening. There was another report of the BWO on Monday evening. I did not fish the BWO, but one of the other guides did with good success for 45 minutes. I fished a Partridge and Orange with a bead fished below an Elk Hair Caddis and turned a poor outing into an average outing in the last 40 minutes of daylight.
Flies to Fish in the coming weeks:
Nymphs: Copper John, Prince, Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, (#20 to #16) Caddis (#16 to #14) Midge (Narly, Zebra, Brassie…and all the other varieties) (#20 to #16)
Dries: Griffith’s Gnat (#20 to #18) Caddis (#18 to #14) Blue Wing Olive (#20 to #16) Always consider a soft hackle/emerger in tandem with the dry fly.
Terrestrials: hoppers, beetles, crickets, ants and anything else that looks ‘buggy’.