At 80 cfs. you can virtually wade all the water in the section below the dam at Pleasant Valley Reservoir. The mild weather has triggered a consistent trico mayfly hatch that begins around 12:30-1 pm daily. Theses tiny adults are like candy to the wild fish and they are keying on this emergence. Small birds nest and pheasant tail patterns #20 are a good call for nymphing in between the hatch. The drift boat season is also proving to be a memorable one. I have not seen numbers of large fish like this coming to net consistently in many seasons. On the down side we have very limited water and are struggling to get the boats down in some sections. Light sinking tips with longer leaders are still the best method for hunting down the bigs. Spruce-A-Bu's, seal buggers, Loebergs, and punk perch patterns have all been productive. I like to use lighter colored patterns on bright days and during mid-day, switch to darker colors for more contrast on the cloudy days, or during lower light periods.
Photos: Pictured Above: The fish'n Holt's strike again! Jake got jaws the rainbow with Jeff doing net honors.
Photo #1: More Bako Boys showing off big trout. Chris hit this super sized hen on a Spruce-A-Bu with Aaron manning the safety net.
Photo #2: The Middle Owens is truly a beautiful scenic river with acrobatic trout like this one Aaron is tight too.
Photo #3: Trevor F. with a bonefide golly whopper! Nice fish Trev!
Photo #4: Long time client and great friend Ronnie Guidone hit a trophy bow on his last drift. The big hen ate a Spruce-A-Bu. Matt Figel with the back stop. Photo #5: Big Sean with yet another photo opp for the Murray's. Nice go'N Bako Boys!
Photo #6: Jimmy Thompsen started his drift trip out with this hook jawed beast smiling for the camera! This fish ripped a Spruce-A-Bu.