Had a fun evening nymphing some really fast pocket water for a little while after work last night, with my buddy Billy OC. Pictured is the best fish of the evening, a solid, colored-up 'Bow that put up quite a scrap in the fast water. No light tippets necessary! We were above the Catch & Release area, in the upper river, and we didn't see many bugs in the fast water until late, probably 8pm'ish, and they were mainly smaller Tan Caddis and small Sulfurs. We are getting into summer mode now, meaning the best fishing will typically be early & late in the day, especially if you want to fish to rising trout n the pools. FYI if you
are nymphing with a 2 fly rig, make sure one of your nymphs is small, as
in #18-20. This time of year when flows are normal (say 300cfs or
less), the trout really key into smaller nymphs, as that is what is
mainly available. The execeptions would be Isonychia & big
Stoneflies. Also, nymphing the broken, faster water will greatly
outproduce nymphing the softer, slower runs. Same is true if you are
prospecting/blind-fishing with dry flies during non-hatch periods,
target the broken riffly water. Don't skip the shallow bank water,
especially if it is in the shade. 6" of water can easily hold a 15-20"
trout in the summertime. River remains in optimal shape , with 288cfs (medium to medium-low, just about perfect & very wadeable) through the Catch & Release area and water temps are mid 50s to mid 60's, making it fishable at least downstream as far as Collinsville currently. Temps are lowest near the dam up in Riverton, and morning water temps are lowest of all. Needhami's averaging a #22-26 are on the water (a small brown mayfly) from 7am to 1pm (approximately). Needhami Spinners dropping from previous day's hatches come first, then the duns in the later morning. There are still Winter/Summer Caddis #22-24 in early/mid mornings with Tan Caddis in #16-20 hatching sporadically from mid/late morning through the day, and they are back on the water egg-laying in the evening (they hatch best in riffled to faster water). Isonychia are lighter than they were but still hatching late afternoon thru early/mid evening, they are running about #10-14 and hatch in the faster, choppy water (pool heads, riffles, faster runs, pocket water). Sulfurs averaging a #18 are on the water in the evening with spinners at dusk- they are very sparse in the Catch & Release section and are hatching best upriver (I've seen them hatching well into August close to the dam) above the Still River up to the dam. Blue Wing Olives #20-24 are hatching in the late afternoon through evening (as well with spinners at dusk). Ants & beetles in various sizes are fooling fish in the daytime, including Mini Chernobyls in #12-14.
Currently effective nymphs include: Hot Spot Nymphs #14-20, #10 Tungsten Caroten Jig, Wade's Clinger Nymph #14-16, Olive nymphs #16-20, Yellow Sparkle Prince #14-18, Sulfur Nymph #16, Rainbow Warrior #16, Caddis Pupa & Larva in both tan & olive/green #10-18, Jig nymphs #10-16, Pheasant Tails #16-20, Isonychia Nymphs #10-12, Fox Squirrel Nymph #10-14, Prince Nymph #10-18, and Golden/Brown/Black Stoneflies #6-12 are all working well at moments. Streamers are effective in the early AM and again toward dark- look for either low light or murky water for best results during this time of the year on the Farmington. Mice, Rats and giant Streamers are working at night.
-Torrey