This trophy brown was caught Friday afternoon
by Jason Miano on a nymph. Not measured, I'd estimate it somewhere in
the mid 20" range, a fish that would be better measured in pounds- I'd
have to very conservatively guess it at 5 pounds, give or take, could definitely be a pound or two heavier
than that. He also landed a 19 incher. People are literally bringing me
big fish pix faster than I can post them! Good problem to have. While
nymphers catch more than their share of big fish, a lot of hefty trout
have been getting landed on dries lately, especially Isonychia patterns.Today (Sunday) will be low 90's (ouch!) with a mix of sun & clouds. Normally the Needhami's, a small chocolate brown Mayfly, would start hatching by early July, but they just started up in the Catch & Release section, with reports of a heavy hatch Saturday. Normal time frame is about 7am to 1pm- first the spinners (normally), then the duns. Size range is typically #22-26.
Thursday I saw plenty of #10-12 Iso's (Isonychia) hatching, heaviest from about 4:30 to 7pm, and fish in the fast water everywhere were making explosive rises to them. This is probably my all-time favorite hatch, it fishes well with dries, nymphs & wets, and it gets big fish feeding on top in the daylight, often in fast, shallow water. Just like with other hatches, hotter days will push things later, and mild/cloudy ones will make things happen earlier.
We just put out a bunch of closeout Hardy & Scientific Angler fly lines on the sale table, check 'em out before they are all gone.
The river is 325cfs from the dam in Riverton, 372cfs through the Catch & Release area- this is an excellent, medium level. Water temps have been cool, enabling you to fish from the dam all the way down to at least Unionville. Depending upon distance from dam, time of day and daily weather, water temps have been running high 40's to low 60's. Winter/Summer Caddis #18-22 have been a moderate hatch early morning to 11am, with adults on the water in the late afternoon and evening. Blue Wing Olives (BWOs) have been a major hatch in the evenings, averaging a #18-20, with smaller ones on the water at moments too. Have a #18-20 rusty spinner ready to match the BWO spinners right before dark (unlike the olive duns, the spent adults change to a rusty color). Sulfurs are hatching well upriver, but getting lighter as you go downriver. Ants & Beetles are working well during the day. Streamers are effective during low-light conditions (early & late or cloudy/rainy days), play with color, size & presentation for best results. You can also try pounding shady banks with them in the daytime- look for cut banks, downed trees, overhanging limbs, big rocks, etc. -Torrey
We will be adding lots of closeout, demo, and used rods to the website this week as time permits. Believe it or not, another tackle season is upon us and new products trickle in starting around the end of the month so we have to make room and clear out the old. All of the clearance items will begin appearing today on the Used Gear & Specials page.