Perfect day but no 21 inch cutt today

[riverdog]

It turned out to be a perfect day for fly fishing even if I didn't match the 21 inch cutt from a few days ago. Blue skies with a few hazy clouds and 70 degrees in the mountains this afternoon. My favorite small stream had at least 3 feet visibility in it's upper reaches. Despite the water being a bit high the catching was pretty good. Caught at least a dozen fish per hour the whole time and most where in the mid teens in length. I did manage a 20 inch cutt and 19 inch brown out of the same hole. I've enclosed pics of those 2 fish plus my dog standing above the hole. Now normally a river dog is supposed to know not to run up in front of the hole on a small stream because that can spook the fish. I think she knew there were some nice ones there and ran up to guard the hole for me[]. I ran into 2 others hiking up to fish as I was packing up to hike out. If they see this they can attest my dog is pretty protective of the water I'm fishing when I'm in the middle of nowhere. Any way a great stonefly hatch was underway many miles down stream but I like to drink cafe con leche not fish in it so I skip it.
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[flygoddess]

Beautiful on all accounts DOG. way to go! Thanks.
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[cpierce]

That does look like a really nice day, along with some fish that are beauties . The stream is a little high and off color, but looks very fishable. Nice area! Are you having to hike very far? Much snow on the road/trails?

Thanks for the "pick me up"!
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[riverdog]

I was fishing at 7000- 7500 feet so no snow at all. I hiked up only about a half mile as I knew there where many deeper slower holes up there. The way the stream fished I probable didn't need to bother with even that little hike as most fish (including these 2) weren't just in the slower deeper holes. Usually by mid May the bigger fish leave the upper reaches of this stream. I think the cutts come up to spawn and the browns come to feed on their eggs. I think the spawn is over and maybe because the higher water they feel safe hanging out longer. I'm sure they'll be going down into the hard to access canyon as the water drops.
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[riverdog]

You know a couple of those SE Idaho streams I sent a pm to last year come down real fast. They'll probable be fishable in a bit after this storm is gone.
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[cpierce]

I checked some closer to home and most are still roaring, but like you, I figure more will start to clear up pretty soon. Hopefully by tomorrow!!! [laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh]

I do have a few that I hope to check out this week. One is running high but clear. It is just brushy as all get out, and I am not sure there are many pools. I am thinking - one long riffle.
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