It’s Caddis time on the Lower D and the fishing is getting better and better with each warming day. Afternoon hatches have had some incredible numbers of bugs, and there are plenty of fish keyed in on this summertime staple now that they’ve all digested their last big Stoneflies. The evening is the best time to find fish consistently with a dry fly, but midday cloud cover and tree shaded banks provide plenty of opportunity for the dry fly angler to hunt heads all afternoon. Nymphing has been great as well. There are fish in all of their normal holds but we are increasing our focus on faster riffles and aerated boulder gardens now that summer is really setting in. Always let the drift swing in to the bank when fishing a Caddis pupa, a tight line take is about as exciting as the subsurface action can be. With all of the excitement around the Caddis hatch in can be easy to forget about the PMDs and PEDs that also bring fish to the surface, make sure to have a couple of good patterns in the box for when the fish get picky.
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, Parachute PMD #16-18, Zelon Cripple 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, Bullet Quill #14-18, Frenchie #14-18, Perdigon #16-18, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #14-18, Tan BH Sparkle Pupa #14-18, Olive Soft Hackle #14-18, Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear #14-18, Red Two Bit Hooker #16-20, Red Copper John #14-18, Micro Mayfly #18, Psycho Prince #14-18