Stream Report 7/27/2023

Forecast: 73℉, 5 mph wind, partly sunny, 65% humidity

Stream Conditions: clear/normal levels, water temp was 57℉

Insect Hatching Activity: Midge, Terrestrials and Caddis

Well, it's one of those days that I figured it would be best to get an early start fishing before the day heats up. As I type this, the thermometer says 91, but this morning at 7:00 it was in the low 70's. Walking through the dew filled grass to the stream, my glasses kept fogging up with the excessive humidity - not ideal for tying on flies. Once I finally immersed in the stream, the cool water and solitude made the long walk so worth it - so refreshing and quiet. There were a few very subtle rises, but nothing that would indicate a significant hatch of any sort, so I decided to tie on a prototype "heavy hauler" size 14 dry fly to be the deliverer of the precious size 18 midge dropper that would be doing all the heavy lifting. Was I ever wrong! The midge did account for several trout, but time and time again, the trout were hitting the heavy hauler prototype so much so that I just took the dropper off altogether. They were taking it by the banks, they were taking in the still water, and they were taking it in the riffles. What they thought it was, I'm not real sure; but I was sure that they left no doubt that they really, really wanted it. Even when it was barely floating, they were taking it. So, I guess you now know where you'll find me, spinning feathers to create this now new permanent fly box resident. Teaching old dogs to do new tricks had this fella doing a few backflips today.