Spring — Hatches & Rising Flows
At‑a‑Glance
- • Water: Snowmelt/precip; clearing trends unlock bites mid‑day (≈50–55°F).
- • Hatches: BWOs (16–18), March Browns (10–12), early caddis (14–16), midges; stones moving.
- • Gear: 9′ 5‑wt; WF floater; add Type 3 sink‑tip for streamers.
- • Leaders/Tippet: Nymphs 4X–5X fluoro; Dries 5X–6X mono; 12–14′ leaders.
Tactics
- • Nymphing: Two‑fly rigs — tungsten anchor (Perdigon/PT) + BWO/caddis emerger; focus softer inside seams.
- • Dries: Overcast afternoons; CDC film emergers; long leaders for soft entries.
- • Streamers: Sculpins tight to banks as clarity improves; low‑and‑slow.
Notes
Carry bright + natural nymph colors; warm trends often spark short afternoon dry windows.
Summer — Low/Clear & Terrestrials
At‑a‑Glance
- • Water: Lower, clearer; feed early/late; mid‑day fish tuck into shade/undercuts.
- • Gear: 9′ 4–5‑wt; 12–15′ leaders; 6X for flat pools; thermometer in vest.
Tactics
- • Dry‑Dropper: Foam ants/beetles/hoppers + 16–20 beadhead 12–24″ below.
- • Euro/Sight Nymph: Short drifts in pocket water with slim tungsten flies.
- • Surface: Hoppers (8–12) on wind; ants/beetles (14–18) on glassy banks.
- • Stillwater: Chironomids/Callibaetis under an indicator; small leeches on intermediate.
Ethics
Avoid trout > ~68–70°F; fish dawn/dusk; speed up land/keep fish wet.
Fall — Cooldown & Baitfish
At‑a‑Glance
- • Water: Cooling temps re‑ignite feeding; browns stage to spawn — avoid active redds.
- • Gear: 5–6‑wt; sink‑tips (Type 3–6) for streamers; 4X–5X fluoro subsurface.
Tactics
- • Streamers: Olive/brown/black articulated; vary cadence (twitch/pause vs. swing).
- • Nymphs: Eggs + small mayflies; caddis pupae remain strong.
- • Dries: Cloudy BWO days — low‑riding emergers.
Notes
After cold fronts: downsize + slow. Watch for lake‑run migrations in bigger rivers.
Winter — Deep/Slow Windows
At‑a‑Glance
- • Water: Stable/cold; fish stack in deep, slow holes; best window mid‑day.
- • Gear: 4–5‑wt; indicator or Euro rigs; 5X–6X fluoro; warm layers/studded boots.
Tactics
- • Nymphing: Small midges, Baetis, eggs; shot or 3–4 mm tungsten beads.
- • Dries: Midges (18–24) in calm sun; 6X–7X.
- • Streamers: Small sculpins; slow swings/short strips, near bottom.
Safety
Shelf/anchor ice hazards; keep fish submerged longer for recovery.