Forecast: 73℉, 8 mph wind, partly cloudy, 68% humidity
Stream Conditions: clear/normal levels, water temp was 58℉
Insect Hatching Activity: Trico! There was other hatching activity, but nothing else mattered beyond the Trico.
As we gazed out upon the intimate Driftless valley on this beautiful July morning, our gaze immediately became fixated on this pillar of cloud that was suspending above the gin-clear and pristine spring creek. It almost instantly reminds you of the historical biblical passages throughout the Pentateuch where God manifested Himself as a pillar of cloud to come upon the Israelites, to communicate to them and guide their steps for all who chose to exercise their free will in obedience to His call and His direction. In the case of this morning, the pillar of cloud represented an absolute prolific and abundant Trico hatch that led us to numerous wild brown and brook trout in a matter of minutes. The Driftless Trico hatch is truly a wonder to witness, regardless of whether or not you trout fish. It represents yet another layer of extreme complexity and diversity in and throughout the created spring creek ecosystem. The Driftless Trico hatch only occurs in the morning hours of the Summer beginning in July. As one can imagine, trout lose their inhibitions during these thick hatches; as long as a very tiny emerger/adult pattern is properly presented, many wild Driftless trout come to hand in short order. It’s one of those things that you just have to fully experience in order to fully grasp and appreciate; the picture alongside this stream report provides a little glimpse into this phenomena (see the little white specs against the tree canopies).
