River Conditions: 7/22/16

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.

It looks like we’re going to be getting some rain this afternoon. We’re going to get some tomorrow as well! The rivers could definitely use a good soaking right now. Water temps are warm and everything is relatively low. Not too much new to report, if we get a decent amount of rain tonight tomorrow morning might be a good time to be on the river. In streams that hold populations of Wild Browns muddy conditions are when the big boys come out to play. The Dog river is a great example of that. Everyone knows there’s big browns in there but getting them to eat a fly is another task. Muddier water with big sculpin and bait fish patterns can be deadly. Cover lots of water and make sure you fish the fly right up to your feet. Frequently the bigger fish in the rivers will chase down a streamer and not hit it till you’re about to pull it out of the water. A great way to have a heart attack.. If you can stand in the water up to your knees and just barely see the tops of your boots that water’s clear enough to fish. Any dirtier than that and you’re going to have to work the water extremely thorough to find a fish willing to eat. Pulse discs and articulated flies always help with make a bit more noise under the water to attract fish. Some people will even put glass rattles in their flies to make more noise. Good luck to anyone getting out this weekend!!

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