Absolutley flawless brown by Wade Schools this week, looks like it could be a wild fish to me- a holdover at the very least. The spring-like conditions continue straight through the weekend, and anglers are enjoying this unusually mild weather- high of 50 today, 59 for Sunday! Water level is normal for this time of year- total flow in permanent Catch & Release area is a
medium level of 279cfs
(131cfs from dam in Riverton, 148cfs from the Still River). Plenty of good reports in December,
especially from those who know how to nymph and cover lots of water. Dries
& streamers have also been very effective at moments, cooler nights starting Sunday/Monday should increase the morning Winter Caddis hatch. Change
spots and/or
techniques if you are not catching trout, experimentation & covering
water are keys to
success right now. Move around until you find some willing fish. Fish
are still scattered all over the river and not all stacked up in the
usual slower water winter lies they they migrate into when water temps
are in the 30's. I'm finding trout in medium-slow to
medium-fast water in pool heads, deeper riffles, deeper runs, and
softer/deeper pockets. Daily water
temps will vary depending upon distance from
dam, sunshine, daily high, and daily low- they've been averaging in the
low/mid 40's. Normally water
temps would be in the 30's in an average
December. Eventually when temps go into the 30's and stay there
(probably
not until
sometime later in January!), you will see most trout migrate into the
slower/deeper pools & softer runs. Most browns are post-spawn right
now and as such are feeding, but
moving around too, so cover lots of water to find fish.Still availability in our second & final Don Butler beginner tying class this winter- it will be 2 day course, January 9th & 16th, 10am-3pm, cost is $125 per person. Call 860-379-1952 to sign up, class size is limited. See Events/Classes for more details.
Fish are rising in the mornings to Winter Caddis #20-24, in the afternoons Midges #22-32 are hatching, and there are still a few small Blue Wing Olives #22-28 (light hatch. almost over) on milder days -Midges & Winter Caddis will hatch straight through the winter. Ironically, when winter weather normalizes and gets colder, the morning Winter Caddis hatches get heavier. If you are nymphing in the early to mid mornings, try egg patterns, Squirmy Worms & big stoneflies, and pair those up with a smaller nymph in the #16-20 range. Streamers are another good choice in the mornings, but fish them slow & deep, don't rip them in fast like you would in May or October as water temps are colder now and trout are more lethargic, make it easy for them to "catch" your fly. If your primary goal is numbers, go with medium sizes (#6-8), or go bigger if you want a crack at the biggest trout, but are willing to catch less and forgo some of the average fish. Assorted smaller nymphs in the #16-20 range are some of the more consistent fish catchers right now- try Flashback WD-40's, Zebra Midges (black, olive, red), and Pheasant Tails. Caddis Larva in #14-16 too, there are TONS in the river. Also try attractor nymphs in #12-18 (Prince, Rainbow Warrior, Yellow Sparkle Prince, Lightning Bug, etc.).
Other suggested flies include the following nymphs: Yellow Stoneflies #8-16, Black Stoneflies 8-14, Fox Squirrel Nymph #12, Hot Spot Baetis #16-20, Olive nymphs #16-22, Rainbow Warrior #16-18, Tan Caddis Pupa #14-16, Green/Olive Caddis Larva #14-16, Pheasant Tails #16-22, Prince Nymph #12-18. Play with colors on your streamers, lately some of the better ones have been white, olive, and brown. Nothing lighter than 2-3x on your streamers (for average sizes streamers), and go heavier if you are tossing big ones. 5x fluoro is a good average for your nymphs, and 6x-7x tippet for your dries (depending upon size). Long tippets help with both dries & nymphs: it will give you "S" curves to get a drag-free float with dries, and it will sink faster with less weight when nymphing.
Our apartment is now closed for the season, and will be available again starting in April 1, 2016.