Nymphing: The fish are starting to once again disperse through the river. As a general rule for this time of year, we tend to start deeper in the morning and then shallow up as the day progresses. Try around 5 feet in the AM and periodically check the shallower, faster water as the hatches get fish moving in and eating more. Fly selection is a bit of a smorgasbord; we’re hearing everything from double sowbug rigs at 6’ to short leashing PMD patterns at 2’. I like to split the difference and start with a sowbug/PMD combo, like a Tailwater sowbug to a #14 or #16 Pheasant Tail. Run 3X to the first bug and then go to 4X for the second pattern. A B or BB shot should suffice at current flows. Don’t discount going long and light if the hatch really gets cookin’.
Dry flies: Not many pods out there at press time, but we’re close. With the return of the caddis hatch, a well placed Corn Fed Caddis will get a couple of looks over the course of the day. You can always roll a general attractor (hint: ant pattern) just to see if they’re looking up. Give it just a few more days and we’ll all be out there throwing Rusty Spinners at rising fish. But not quite yet.
Streamers: Drag the long flies through the green-tinged waters of the canyon, or in the upper river at low light. Though we’re looking at largely sun days up ahead, there may be a few pop up storms as we settle into summer. Keep that 6/7 weight handy for those precious moments when the skies pour down and the brown trout feast off of the rip rap banks.
