The river with the nickname “The Most Beautiful Place to Get Skunked” is doing nothing the rid itself of the moniker. While those putting in the time are catching some insane fish, most everyone else comes back with stories of how pretty the place is. Having said that, we always recommend a venture out the big spring creek. This time of the year access can be the first challenge. As of this week there was plenty of parking along the road as well as at the Hatchery. Remember, it’s only open to fishing from Allingham bridge down. And the road is not plowed below the Hatchery.
There have been sporadic BWO hatches coming off but the usual nymph rigs are the top producers. Take some Hare’s Ears in #16, Olive Soft Hackles in #16 and Pheasant Tails in #18 out there. Find likely looking water, changing the rig as often as necessary to get drifts going the right speed at the right depth, and you’ll have a chance. A lot of people take a couple rods, one with the nymph rig and one with a fast sinking leader to a big streamer. If you hook a small whitefish or trout and see a swimming log chase it, chuck the big streamer through. There are a good number of bull trout in the system spread out from broad runs to narrow, deep slots. If you’re taking a bull trout-specific rod, make sure you’re on heavy tippet with stout hooks. These fish are notorious hard fighters.