Higher water

Hi Folks, it has been nice seeing water in our rivers. The rain produced by the Tropical Storm earlier in the week was much needed. It puffed up our streams and brooks and turned the trout fishing on the in the small to mid sized water. In addition, the cool down associated with the storm has provided us with cool nights and cooler water temperatures. I guided all week on moving water with the exception of one boat trip for smallmouth. Water temps. on the brooks I fished were 59 to 62 degrees. With the water up the bigger fish showed themselves. I had clients land several 14” to 16” wild brown trout on dry flies. Not to mention several large brook trout and wild rainbows. The higher water makes the larger fish more comfortable in exposing themselves to feed. Fly patterns this week have been #12 green bodied Stimulators, #10 Rubber Legged Royal Trude, #18 peacock caddis, and a #10 Orange bodied Stimulator. Lots and lots of green bodied grasshoppers everywhere currently. For hatching insects I have seen micro caddis #18-#20 coming off and still #22 Tricos early am as well as a few remanent #6 Hex’s hatching in lakes. Pretty much all of the fish we are catching have been on the surface. We had one day of sub surface fishing for bass on the rainy Tuesday. We swung a tandem streamer rig with an #6 olive bunny bugger and #10 white zonker. Really effective method. Otherwise, we have been popping up the bass with crease flies and popping bugs. We could still use more rain. Hopefully we will stay in a cool weather pattern for fishing. I will be mixing it up all week with the fishing between big strong smallmouth and wild trout in smaller water. Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy