It’s looking like a hot weekend down in the canyon, temps are forecasted into the hundreds with clear skies so bugs will be out and flying. The dry fly action in the late evening has been the most consistent time of day to bring fish to the top. We fish with a size 18-20 tan caddis on 4 and 5x leaders. Cast upstream towards the banks, behind trees and into eddies, retrieve line as your fly floats down towards you, anticipating a quick hook set. As always fishing subsurface will produce the most action when things slow down on top, euro style techniques have been very effective throughout the summer and are exceptional at getting flies down deep quick to where the fish will be. If you are using an indicator fish a split shot or two above your first bug, followed by a small, tan caddis pupa.
Steehead season is just around the corner and people have been catching fish from Macks down. The numbers are looking as predicted with low returns throughout the Columbia basin but there is a fish or two for dedicated anglers putting in the time. Please be aware of water temps, they reached 70 both days at the mouth this weekend so fish early and be prepared to land AND release fish as quickly as possible, do not take wild fish out of the water for any reason, keeping them wet and in the water will greatly increase their chance at surviving your encounter. Early season I like to fish a dry line to a small traditional pattern; GBS’s, Lady Caroline’s, or a Macks Canyon are all favorites, before switching to a bigger fly on a sink tip in the heat of the day.
Suggested Dries: Tan X Caddis #14-18, Tan Cutter’s Caddis #14-18, Tan Henry’s Fork Caddis #14-18, Tan Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, A/C Caddis #14-18, Edible Emerger #14-18, Sparkle Dun PMD #16-18, Tilt Wing PMD #16-18, Brewers Butt head PMD #16-18, Parachute Adams #16-18, Purple Haze #16-18
Suggested Nymphs: Duracell Jig #14-16, Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail #14-16, Jigged Tungsten Hare’s Ear #14-16, Black or Red Two Bit Hooker #18, Frenchie #14-18, Perdigon #16-18, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, Tan BH and non BH Sparkle Pupa #14-18, Olive Soft Hackle #14-18, Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear #14-18, Psycho Prince #14-18.