Rain and cooler weather condition have actually brought great deals of Baetis (Blue Winged Olives/BWOs) and our very first little winter season stoneflies. There are still some sticking around Mahogany Duns and October Caddis around, in addition to a couple of remaining little caddis around. Much of the McKenzie has actually dropped and remains in good condition to wade and drift, the clearness is excellent. The majority of the Middle Fork is off color and high making it less efficient. Fish have actually mostly been feeding subsurface and nymphing has actually been most efficient since late specifically. If the water is high, fish will be discovered pressed towards the bank looking for more calm water. Dries, wets, and banners can all be efficient too provided the ideal conditions.
The huge gamer in regards to water insect hatches is the Baetis household of mayflies likewise called Blue Winged Olives or BWOs. With our cooler weather condition, these mayflies will hatch on overcast days throughout the middle of the day. They are typically discovered hatching in more calm water, and the majority of the time trout will be seen increasing to emerging duns. We are starting to see our very first hatch of little winter season stoneflies. Female October caddis are still remaining around and will been ovipositing, or laying eggs, in the river on cloudy days throughout the day or at nights. Mahogany Dun Spinners can be discovered gathering at night and the fish will key into a spinner fall of them. There are a couple of remaining little caddis that are on their last leg.
Dry fly choice this time of year is mostly based upon time of day and conditions present. If the weather condition has actually been warm, it will take an overcast, rainy day for heaven Wings to come off, and it will take place throughout the cooler part of the day. If the weather condition has actually been cooler, heaven Wings will come off throughout the hottest part of the day. Here are our preferred dry flies for early fall Baetis hatches: Sparkle Flag BWO #18, Morrish’s May Day BWO #18, Parachute Extended Body BWO#18, or a Hatchmaster BWO #16-18 Some sticking around October Caddis can still be seen at nights, and throughout the day if it is a cooler, more overcast day. Attempt these bigger dries to simulate them: Norm Woods Special #6-10, Orange Stimulator #6-10, or aSwisher’s Foam PMX #10 with a dropper. Mahogany Duns are still around, and you can capture a spinner fall in the night if you time it right. Some flies we like are: Tilt Wing Mahogany Dun #16, Extended Body Mahogany Dun #16, Galloup’s OG Bent Cripple #14, or a Rusty Spinner # 16-18 for the spinner fall. Little Winter season Stones are making their launching and little Dark Dry Flies simulate them well: Black Elk Hair Caddis #14-16 or aJ’s Hi Tie Caddis Black #16 Last but not least there are some little caddis spending time from previously this fall. A little Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, or a Swisher’s Dancing Caddis #14 can bring a fish to surface area and is a fantastic browsing approach.
Nymphing will be most efficient this time of the year. In the clearer parts of the river fishing little nymphs is efficient, specifically in the winter season. In stretches where water clearness is below average, in some cases you require something bigger to capture a fish’s attention, so measuring your nymphs isn’t a bad concept. Some bigger browsing nymphs consist of: Mega Prince #8-12, Tunghead 20 Incher #8-12, Sili Leg Stone #8-10, or aDouble Bead Peacock Stone #8-12 Baetis nymphs are extremely active this time of year, here are some store favorites: Jigged TNT Baetis #16, Split Case BWO #18, orBerry’s PCP #16 We are beginning to see the very first winter season stones of the season, which suggests the nymphs are active subsurface in preparation for their development. Fish a little sized 14-16 dark nymph to simulate them like: Black Copper John #14-16, Hart’s Dark Lord #12, or aBead Head Bird’s Nest #14-16 Other reliable nymphs since late are: Dally’s Tailwater Jig #14, X-Heavy Rainbow Warrior # 14-16, Jigged Frenchie #12-14, Bead Head Lightning Bug #16, or a Jigged Hot Butt Hare’s Ear #12-14.
Swinging flies is another method to browse this time of year. Swinging little soft hackles can be lethal when bugs are coming off, the little flies simulate emerging pests. Swinging little banners when the water is high mimics disoriented sculpins and baitfish that are leaving downstream. Include little irregular strips to truly drive the point home that your little banner is a distressed fish. Here are some excellent options for smaller sized soft hackles that are fishing well: Baetis Drymerger #18, Soft Emerger BWO #18, or aSoft Hackle Bead Thorax Mahogany #14 For little banners attempt: Jr Sculpzilla, Tactical Jig Zonker #12, or a Thin Mint #8-12.
Do not hesitate to visit the store or provide us a call if you require anything. Have a good time out there and do not forget your rain shell!
– Simon
