It's a great time to get out right now if you haven't been lately. The local waters have been fishing well, while we are still in waiting for the higher stuff to turn on yet.
On the Thompson, the fishing has been pretty good. Been using a lot of smaller stuff with a lot of success. Early on, look for the hatches. Olives, and midges are still dominant while the stones are starting to show up slowly. Below the dam has been great. We had one day about a week back that was just on fire with olives. When you are not seeing the hatches, try some midges on top and below, as well as some smaller Baetis patterns. I have liked the absolute original BWO lately. No post. No fluffy stuff. Just the way it was first (or close to) designed. Sometimes I think they (the trouts) see all the same stuff up there (below the dam) that all the guys talk about. Look on a local report page-that is what the flies are seeing. So get creative, or in this case, get simple. Another example of some weird stuff that you know they aren't seeing is a purple RS-2. Tied one on for a client and sure enough, it got some action.
As for the canyon, the trout are really coming to life after a long cold winter. Some great hatches of both Baetis and Midge has made for some awesome conditions. From Sleepy Hollow park up, their has been great action. Baetis, Attractors; both on top and below, and small midge has brought a lot of em' to the net.
Either way, a couple of general rules up there on the Thompson right now. Keep it small, keep it simple. Get creative though. How can you match the hatch with something they haven't seen a million times in the last three days. Don't forget the old standards in your box, not just what the guy at the shop told you about the latest and greatest pattern.
If you are looking to stay a little closer to home, try hitting up Boulder Canyon. The flows out of the dam have recently dropped to sub 100 CFS; and while you drive by it it looks pretty low and not great...but it is. Same stuff here, nothing fancy. Throwing attractors on top when they aren't rising and matchin' the hatchin' when they are. Watch the water temps, and the water. Look for those bugs. Once those bugs turn on, so do the trout. Otherwise, make it funky with some attractors.
On top, BWO's have been killing it. A Callibaetis color RS-2 (always catches fish) has been lights out when the Baetis have been coming up. Something about that Callibaetis makes em' crazy. Granted, this is not what is hatching, but I think the brownish hues in the dubbing are more representative of their true pre-emerger state. But just awesome fishing with these things. When the trout aren't rising, throw some attractors. All kinds of stuff has been working on top including Chubby Chernobyl's, H&L's (one of my standard favorites), and Royal Wulffs. Just keep it small. It's amazing to see a trout reject something 15 passes by and then take it the same thing when you make it 2 sizes smaller. So picky sometimes. On the bottom, again I like the RS-2 (always catches fish) and attractor nymphs including Rainbow Warriors and Poison Tungs. Blue Copper Johns have been killing it too.
I have been fishing above the falls for the most part as it has been really variable down below. Clear one day and running like crazy and muddy the next; especially after the rainy evenings.
But again, keep it simple. Don't forget the old standards.
Tight Lines
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