07-31-2017, 09:18 PM
It's been a long time since I've posted!
I've been out a few nights last week fishing the caddis hatch on the lower Provo. This is my favorite time of year, although there are no secrets and plenty of people are fishing.
A few observations:
(1) The water is lower and clearer this year. My theory is that it was scoured a bit during the time when they were letting it reached the flood stage in the spring.
(2) Perhaps related, i feel like the fish are more fussy about presentation and tippet than they have been in the past. I'm using 6x till it is basically completely dark.
(3) There are a few PMDs coming off before the caddis. However I have had fish refuse several PMD patters. I have done better on an #18 BWO. I think I might have more strikes on a #20.
(4) It's worth trying a big attractor after the fish quit rising after dark. There are a few minutes when they will still look to feed but will no longer come up to a caddis sized pattern.
For the record, I've also been up in the Uintas lately, but it's very crowded right now. I need more places that are (a) close enough to a road to carry a heavy float tube but (b) enough out of the way to have some space on the water. I guess I should probably just dig in and prepare for longer hikes?
Hope my fellow fly fishers are making the most of the summer!
[signature]
I've been out a few nights last week fishing the caddis hatch on the lower Provo. This is my favorite time of year, although there are no secrets and plenty of people are fishing.
A few observations:
(1) The water is lower and clearer this year. My theory is that it was scoured a bit during the time when they were letting it reached the flood stage in the spring.
(2) Perhaps related, i feel like the fish are more fussy about presentation and tippet than they have been in the past. I'm using 6x till it is basically completely dark.
(3) There are a few PMDs coming off before the caddis. However I have had fish refuse several PMD patters. I have done better on an #18 BWO. I think I might have more strikes on a #20.
(4) It's worth trying a big attractor after the fish quit rising after dark. There are a few minutes when they will still look to feed but will no longer come up to a caddis sized pattern.
For the record, I've also been up in the Uintas lately, but it's very crowded right now. I need more places that are (a) close enough to a road to carry a heavy float tube but (b) enough out of the way to have some space on the water. I guess I should probably just dig in and prepare for longer hikes?
Hope my fellow fly fishers are making the most of the summer!
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