Forecast: 76℉, 5 mph wind, partly cloudy, 60% humidity
Stream Conditions: clear/normal levels, water temp was 60℉
Insect Hatching Activity: Blue-Winged Olive, Midge, Caddis, Trico, Terrestrials
Today marked Day 3 of our Driftless Excursion to explore and discover as many new trout streams and sections as possible. We did quite a lot of trout scouting today which included multiple streams and several sections. One was a true gem. This stream was a trout factory; fertile, cold, and strong spring creek flow rates. Several wild browns were landed. Even though there were numerous riffle/run/pool areas throughout this stream, we focused a fair amount of time on the slower sections to further refine that craft. With these sections, it’s almost like fly fishing on glass. It requires a different mindset, a different approach, and a deeper level of technicalities. A heightened level of stealthiness, very long casts, a very natural fly presentation, and a thin and properly tapered tippet. If any of these elements are off, the spring creek wild trout will know and not succumb. Glass spring creek water is very unforgiving…but it sure can be very rewarding! Today was one of those rewarding type of days on slow glass water sections. It was challenging to keep count. Although different fly patterns produced, the Driftless hopper was king today.
