River Conditions: 6/23/16

Water Clarity: Clear

Water Temperatures:  55-68

Hatches: Golden Stoneflies, Tan Caddis Flies, Hex, Sulphurs, Light Cahils

Suggested Patterns:  Caddis Poopah #16, Hot Wire Caddis #14-16, Dirty Birds #14-16, Taylor’s Gut #16-18, Copper Johns #16-18, Hare’s Ears #14-18, Bird of Prey Olive #16, Kyle’s BH CNC #16-18, X-Caddis #14-18, Light Cahill #14-16, Blond Wulf #12-16, Black Ant #14-18, Lucent Wing Hex, Poly Wing Hex, DeFrank’s Wiggle Hex Nymph,

Things have cooled down a bit over the past few days with the front that came through. Although we got a fair amount of rain yesterday, it seemed to have no effect on the rivers as everything still pretty low. The nights are really saving us right now since the temps are getting down into the low 50’s which has been cooling everything off. The bigger rivers have been fishing well in the morning and we’ve been finding temps between 61 and 63 depending on where we’ve been. It looks like that may change by the end of the weekend. It’s going to be a bit on the warmer side this weekend through early next week. The bigger rivers may all come to a screeching halt during those few days if the night time temps don’t cool off as much. The smaller brooks and streams are all still nice and cool, most of them under 60 degrees. The water is super low on those streams as well but you can still catch fish. The important thing is to step lightly, work your way upstream and make slightly longer casts when you can. Even doing this, you’ll still spook fish but a lot fewer. Be sure to wear clothing that blends in with the surroundings as well. Downsizing flies can also be beneficial during these conditions. #14s and smaller are a little less intrusive to brook trout during low water and can sometimes get more strikes than larger bugs. The Hex fishing has been pretty good as well. Lots of good reports of plenty of bugs hatching with lots of fish actively feeding on them! The fishing should be pretty good over the next few days, make sure you have a backup plan if one spot you plan on fishing is too warm or too low. Lots of dry fly activity right now as well as nymphs. We’ve been doing better in the faster moving pocket water on the larger rivers probably due to the fact that the water is moving in those spots and there’s more oxygen in the water in those types of locations. Good luck to those getting out over the next few days!

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