Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Middle Fork Feather Report 6-20-11








After a few calls from clients about the status of the MF Feather I decided I needed to see how she looked in person as I have been concentrating my efforts elsewhere as of late. The estimated flows below Sloat (1900 cfs) were less than encouraging, but the river looked good although high as I drove over the bridge at Blairsden. The color was typical for this freestone river, tanin stained from agriculture runoff in the Sierra Valley, but visibility was about 3' and there were a few bugs out.I saw little yellow sallies, PMD's, caddis and a lot of small midges. Fishing near where a snowmelt swollen creek enters the river I found a nice pod of rainbows feeding on PMD's.

These lovely wild rainbows were in the 10-12" range with a couple pushing 14" and were confidently eating comparaduns and parachute adams fished on the surface.I also had takes fishing a PMD emerger and a Quigly's Cripple, but the fish were mostly interested in the duns.


Friend and fellow guide Jon Baiocchi, reports that the last two hours before dark have been money with fish rising in the tailouts for PMD's Golden Stones and caddis flies. This is just the start to what is shaping up to be a great summer on the MF Feather River and I expect solid fishing throughout the season as the runoff subsides and the bugs starting hatching in ernest.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Carpenter Ant Fall


By the time you read this it may already be over with, but the annual carpenter ant fall is in full swing at Davis.The fish are looking up and if you use a stealthy approach and a hunter mentality the rewards are fantastic! I landed 2 of 6 hooked yesterday on a big ol' foam ant pattern on the surface including this chunky 3 pound fish. The fall will only last a few days or so, but these fish will remember ants for a bit longer.Get some!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Independence Lake Update


The Nature Conservancy has released its management plan for Independence Lake.http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/nevada/placesweprotect/independence-lake.xml
While it may not please everyone I feel it is a step in the right direction. I still need to work out the details, but I am offering trips to ILake to fly fish for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout in the only lake that they naturally reproduce in California. As soon as I know the availability of these trips I will let folks know.Check back here for more updates.