Forecast: 82℉, 4 mph, sunny, 45% humidity
Stream Conditions: clear/normal levels, water temp was 62℉
Insect Hatching Activity: Midge, Blue-Winged Olive, Terrestrials
The heat of summer is certainly being felt in the Driftless Area. It is this time of year where the Driftless Area continues to outshine other trout destinations due to its water source. Being entirely and constantly spring fed from groundwater aquifers that pumps out pure and pristine spring water at consistent upper 40 degree temperatures year-round, serves as the foundation for the high quality, fertile, and ideal ecosystems for wild trout to thrive all year. During the heat of summer, we focus our attention on those spring creek headwater and intimate shaded woodland sections of watersheds where trout feeding activity and aggressiveness will be prevalent. This overarching strategy for this time of year proved itself out yet again today. As we were hunting for trout, the ammunition of choice was a terrestrial on top trailed underneath by a very small nymph on 12-18″ of fluorocarbon. This combination was lethal as the wild brown trout aggressively chased it in every riffle, run, and pool of the very intimate and picturesque technical spring creek sections that were chosen this afternoon.
