While the half-day hatch windows and effortless dry fly days of fishing East have passed as we’ve moved into the hottest days of summer, there is still excellent fishing to be had for those willing to adjust strategies in targeting fish. There is still a good Callibaetis hatch most days up on East. The hot weather means the hatch is typically shorter in duration, and while there will be fish looking towards the surface it has become quite difficult to fool them with a dry.
For best results, focus efforts subsurface with Chironomid and Callibaetis patterns below an indicator. Fishing water that is 15-20 feet deep and using long leaders should produce good numbers of fish. With the pressure the fish have seen up to this point in the year, it is absolutely beneficial to use fluorocarbon leaders and tippet in the 5X-6X range to maximize the number of takes on any given day. Fishing this type of set up has several challenges of its own, and it is easy to miss fish when flies are suspended far below an indicator. Now is the time we start to see the greatest benefit from out dedicated lake rods, and having a longer rod in the 9’6” to 10’ range is ideal for making effortless long casts and picking up line quickly on the hook set. There are options to fit any budget for these longer rods, which are also ideal for nymphing large rivers like the lower Deschutes or other big waters of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and other states across the West.
For those dedicated to fishing dries, changing up patterns in hopes of finding something the fish have not seen is the best approach. Fishing light tippet and concentrating efforts in early mornings and late evenings when there is less light on the water can also improve chances for getting fish to come to the surface. There are still fish rising up on East, but a delicate presentation and a little luck are typically required to find one willing to take an artificial fly.
Suggested Dries:Tilt Wing Callibaetis #14-16, Almost Dun Callibaetis #14-16, Organza Spinner #14-16, Hi Vis Callibaetis #14-16, Rusty Spinner #14-16, D&D Cripple #14-16, Last Chance Cripple #14-16, Hackle Stacker Callibaetis #14-16, Black Flying Ant #16, Cinnamon Flying Ant #16, Peacock Chubby Chernobyl #16
Suggested Nymphs:Trigger Callibaetis #16, Bird’s Nest Hare’s Ear #14-18, Bird’s Nest Natural Depth Charge #16-18, Soft Hackle Callibaetis #16, Red or Black Ice Cream Cone #14-18, Red or Black Zebra Midge #14-18, Yankee Buzzer #16, Dark Assassin #16-18, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #16-18, Pheasant Tail #16-18, Olive or Black Balanced Leech #10-14