River Conditions: 7/20/16

Water Clarity: Water Temperatures:  59-70

Hatches: Sallies, Sulphurs, Light Cahils, Hoppers, Caddis Flies, Tricos

Suggested Patterns: Iron Sally #14-16, Anderson’s Bird of Prey #16, Yellow Softy, Pheasant Tails #14-18, Copper Johns #14-18, Kyle’s BH C-N Sprflash #16-18, Bob’s Softy   Red and Copper, Hare’s Ears #14-18, Light Cahils #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis Olive #14-16, More of Less Hopper #6-10, VW Hopper #8-14, Bionic Ant #14-16, Black Ant #16-18 Zonkers #6, Montana Mouthwash #6,  Muddler Minnows #6-10, Wooly Buggers Olive #6-10.

The cooler temps yesterday, last night and today have really turned things around. Some of the larger tribs have cooled down significantly and are fishing great. We’ve got lots of trips out and it seems like everyone’s getting into em! Getting some reports of Tricos starting to hatch on several different streams with plenty of fish responding to them. Tomorrow is going to be hot and then we’re going to be getting some rain over the weekend which is much needed. That’ll help bring up water levels and continue to cool them off. A good flush of water always makes the fish happy this time of the year. We’ve been doing very well lately on hoppers, both the VW hopper and More Or less hopper, both these flies have quite a bit of foam on them which makes them a bit more buoyant than a more traditional hopper like a Dave’s Hopper. The beauty of the buoyancy is that you don’t have to worry about dressing the fly with Aquel prior to fishing or top ride after catching a fish. The more traditional patterns tent to become water logged after a couple fish which means you’ve gotta tend to them to get them floating again. They also work great as strike indicators! Been selling lots of felt soled boots too, lots of anglers are making the switch back over. Most of the guides here did and the difference between felt and rubber is night and day. You can actually stand with felt soled boots! The Winooski is chocolate milk right now not that it really matters since it’s around 70 degrees, the Lamoille is a little off color right now and cooler but still on the warmer side of things. The fishing should be pretty good on the mid sized streams over the next couple of days so call in sick from work and get out there!

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