Kiss August, 2009 good-bye, and look for the river to host more action as we begin to cool off through September. Evenings and early mornings remain the best times to be on the river until later in September. Streamers will become increasingly important on the lower river when looking for action. So will BWO life cycle patterns. Also for the next month terrestrial patterns will be good choices anywhere on the river.
This is the time of year when cloudy and stormy days will begin producing BWO hatches up & down the river. The flow out of Palisades Dam dropped 800 cfs last Thursday evening. This means riffles will get more light which along with good water temperature will promote insect activity there. With a good chance of cloudy weather for Labor Day weekend, be ready for BWOs emerging from riffles, especially if we have rainy weather. So make sure BWO life cycle patterns are in your fly box. Meanwhile chernobyl and hopper patterns pitched back towards banks and the same done with streamers during evenings will bring action.
The flow dropped last night about 800 cfs down to 8400 cfs. Continue to look for good hatches of Pale Morning Duns during the day. With the bright days we are having I don’t think we’ll see the Blue Wing Olives out like we saw this past weekend in the rain.The blue wings will be more consistent later when the weather really cools off. They’ll be joined be mahogany duns.
The warmer weather should keep the evening caddis hatch going. Its starts around 7 pm. When it gets too dark to see your dry fly swing a caddis pupa, sandy mite or small renegade through the riffles.
Generally best action is found through presenting terrestrial patterns on streams and presenting patterns for gulpers on still waters. Days are shortening and we are beginning to cool in the high country. These are signals to begin thinking about presenting streamers.
Except for gulpers most fish are holding deep. Better days are ahead when we begin cooling off in September.
Spruce moths are providing action on many streams, and gulpers are still going good on area lakes.
No big changes since last report. One specific thought is that the afternoon flav emergence on Big Elk Creek is near its peak. Redfish have migrated miles up the creek, but most anglers chasing them do not walk far.
Wading remains a bit tough with flows out of Mackay Dam at 360 cfs. But flows ae coming down so better days are ahead!
Warm water has slowed action, especially on the lower river. Stick to early mornings and evenings for the best chance of action. Streamers near twilight offer a great chance for late day action on the lower river, in Box Canyon and below Coffeee Pot rapids. If you must fish during daytime terrestrial patterns will be your best bet for action.
Best action will come as we get into September and October. For now be patient and try creek mouths and spring holes.