Hi Folks, The fishing has been very good since the devastating floods a few weeks ago. My clients and I have been fly fishing for smallmouth bass and working small high elevation brooks. Water temperatures on the surface in the bass water has been between 74 and 79 degrees. We have been catching smallmouth and some large ones off the top.Water levels are up due to all of the rain.The fish have been in fairly shallow water feeding. We have been hooking bass in 1’ to 10’ of water. However, the best bite has been the last hour of light. Low light is important in top water fishing. We been offering the fish an assortment of fly patterns. I have been tying a lot of foam bass poppers. We have been mixing up the colors. Red/Black blockheads, Fire tiger Sneaky Pete’s, and a variety of chartreuse popping bugs have all produced fish. Crease flies have also been productive. The bass fishing has been consistent with the best time of day being first light and last light. I have made a couple of forays for river smallmouth. Foam grasshopper patterns and large stone fly patterns have prompted some nice surface strikes. Grasshoppers are everywhere currently. Green bodied with reddish Orange legs.Large #8-#10 golden stone flies are now emerging and you can see their empty shucks on larger rocks in the river. The small stream trout fishing has been good! Water temps. have been between 57 and 61 degrees. Water levels are up, but the clarity is fine. We have catching a lot of native Brook trout and wild brown trout. With water levels on the high side, the larger trout have been showing themselves.We have been focusing on the soft water that abuts heavier water. Holes that have downed wood have been producing wild brown trout.I like dry fly fishing small streams. My go to dry fly has been a #12 Rubber Legged Royal Trude. #10-#12 Royal.Green, and Purple bodied Chubbies have also been effective.The strategy in the small brooks is to cover ground. Lots of walking and always working up stream in the clear water. July has turned out to be way more productive than I could have ever thought after all of the rain. I am very grateful. I hope everyone who has been adversely impacted by the flooding is recovering. Terrible destruction. Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.Have Fun, Willy
