Forecast: 66℉, 12 mph wind, Sunny, 44% Humidity
Stream Conditions: clear/normal levels, water temp was 54℉
Insect Hatching Activity: Baetis, Caddis, Midges, Terrestrials
Well, the regular trout season is coming to a close and the final week is upon us. Today certainly didn’t feel like a day in the last week of the season with warm temperature rebounding from a frosty start. In some ways I always get a bittersweet feeling knowing the season is going to end, but this year was different. As we started midmorning there were sporadic rises here and there and a few fish taken with a nymph; and then it began, a baetis hatch. I believe it was baetis based on the time of year, but the wings weren’t light blue, but a light brown size 18. As the party began, everybody showed up. There were Warblers plucking them from the sky and streamside rocks to dimpling and slashing trout everywhere prime feeding spots presented them. This volcanic eruption lasted about an hour and then slowly subsided with hookups still frequently continuing. A couple events made this day very memorable; the first was just being there at that specific time witnessing natures cycle in its’ full glory around the sport we all love and secondly was gently handling our catch with some trout now with plumper bellies laden with eggs. Bittersweet no more. Spawning season is coming with the promise of a new class of wild trout. Hope springs eternal!
