Forecast: 78℉, 3 mph wind, partly cloudy, 69% humidity
Stream Conditions: clear/normal levels, water temp was 58℉
Insect Hatching Activity: Caddis, Blue-Winged Olive, Midge, Crane Fly, Terrestrials
The Driftless summer continues to shine bright. As per usual, we targeted the headwater sections of streams this morning/afternoon. These sections of the spring creeks were running a cool and consistent 58℉ which promoted very happy and very aggressive wild brown trout. It was easy to identify from the active and artistically designed cedar waxwings that there was a variety of insect hatching going on; combined with an extreme abundance of nymphs tucked underneath each of the thousands of rocks on the streambed. The spring creek ecosystem was alive with many spring creek feeders as well as spring creek emergences coming right out of the ground. No matter how many times you fly fish these streams, it never ceases to amaze just how incredibly complex, diverse, and unique that they were created and designed under. Stealth, like always but especially during this time of year, was key when approaching the gin-clear spring creek today. The arsenal of terrestrial/tiny nymph combination as well as pupa patterns dead-drifted without an indicator all produced very well while bringing to hand many thick and beautifully painted wild Driftless brown trout.
