We’ve been getting nothing but good reports from East Lake in the past week, and it should be as good a time as ever to head south for East’s famously consistent Callibaetis hatch. The past week has brought about some of the first consistent bug activity we’ve seen, and the fish are hungry gorging themselves on the stillwater mayflies. The hatch typically grows in strength throughout the morning, peaking around midday and in the early afternoon on most days. You’ll know when the fish are keyed in on the hatch, throw flies to rising fish or find an area of heavy activity and put your fly in the middle of the action. Cripple patterns have been most effective during the early stages of the hatch, and adult dry imitations have been working well as the hatch peaks. Various Callibaetis patterns have been producing fish, other mayfly patterns like tiltwings and parachute adams have also been getting the job done! If fish are rising when the hatch isn’t on using an ant or beetle pattern has been a great way to find fish with dries when the fish aren’t keyed in on Callibaetis. Fishing chironomids, callibaetis, and balanced leeches under an indicator has been effective when fish aren’t looking up.
Suggested Dries: Hackle Stacker Cali #14-16, Thorax Cali #16-18, Last Chance Cripple #14-16, D&D Cripple #14-16, Tiltwing Mahogony #14-16, Parachute Adams #14-16, Foam Beetle #16, Paracricket #14-16, Foam Black Ant #14-16
Suggested Nymphs: Dark Assassin #16-18, Bird’s Nest Hare’s Ear #16-18, Soft Hackle Cali #14-16, Red or Black Ice Cream Cone #14-18, Yankee Buzzer #14-16, Red or Black Zebra Midge #18, Olive or Black Balanced Leech #12