Dry Flies

Sorry for the delays in repots the past three weeks.  I've just been out straight and finally have a minute after this mornings drift boat trip.  Fishing has been good this week, yesterday I had two clients each hook browns on the last cast. I'm not sue I've had lost cast doubles before.  

Aside from two weeks ago's high water and cold temps, which slowed the fishing down for my clients, fishing has been consistently good for a while.  There have been plenty of dry fly opportunities mostly early and late, but have had fish taking dries sporadically throughout the day as well.  There was an insane flying ant hatch last Friday and it seemed just about every fish was eating on top at dark.  Fish have been eating a variety of dries including ants, hoppers, caddis, and grey adams among other things.  The fish have not been extremely picky either.  during the any hatch we had a large hopper and a small ant off the back and each fly got about the same number of eats.  If you're fishing a small fly thats hard to see or its getting dark, try dropping the smaller fly off the bend of the hook of a bigger fly like a hopper or stimulator.  

When fish are not rising consistently I've been running a dry dropper with clients and had the most takes on size 14-18 dark or red colored mayfly imitations as well as caddis larvae.  I find that fish key in more to smaller flies as fall progresses so don't be afraid to throw  small #20 PT and copper johns.  Ive also seen a few October caddis. a large orange caddisfly that hatches in the fall.  A larger orange larvae or orange wet fly will get takes.  The fish are very spread out on the bigger rivers and can be found from pocket water, to fast riffles, to long flats.  I like to hit those long flats for rising fish in the evenings. There are still a ton of stocked fish in the rivers thanks to the cool summer.  Typically in this area most die by mid summer leaving only wild fish in the fall, so there are definitely plenty of fish around.  

I've heard a few reports of salmon being caught though I haven't been after any yet.  I imagine the next bigger rain event will bring a lot of fish up the rivers. Ill wait until after this warm spell ends next week to try my luck.  Early on the fish are more likely to take swung streamers, with my favorite being a black ghost.  

You'll need to watch water temps from this afternoon through next week.  The big rivers were 68 yesterday afternoon and 66 this morning and I imagine they will push over 70 in the afternoons they next few days.  

I'm almost completely booked through October but have plenty of dates once September ends.  You could try me regarding september, as I may be able to get a short evening or morning trip in.