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| The Redfield boat ramp, lots of water. |
It's officially a heat wave, three days in a row over 90 degrees. That make 8 days this summer so far over 90, last year we had 28 days over 90. It's all relative cause 90 with humidity is HOT. It wont last long, we're past mid-July and that means in about 7 weeks we'll be chasing salmon around the river again, can't wait. The next full moon in August will bring us to with in two months of the salmon runs peak. We have had good rains up to this point in the Salmon River water shed. I took a drive up to Redfield two nights ago and the reservoir is in great shape, nice and full, at least full pool.
The local streams on the other hand are getting low. The Salmon River is running 650cfs at Pineville and the release is 500cfs. Pretty nice flows for the middle of July. It's sure to help the summer run steelhead live a little more comfortably. The smallmouth fishing in the river is still nice, lots of cooperative fish. Also, Oneida Lake is starting to turn on for smallies. Drifting in 8'-10' of water working the edge of rock piles, shoals or under water points gets the smallies. If the are weeds near by, all the better.
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| Late evening brown on a brown x-caddis. |
I've fished the Mad River and Fish Creek this past week, LOW water. The trout are feeding after dark due to the heat. I have had a few takers before dark, few being the word that best describes the action. But a few are better than none. The old traditionals, BWO sparkle dun and hi-vis Adams are not doing the job. The picture shows a brown that fell for a brown x-caddis #12 and all the trout in the past week have been on that fly. They take it hard, probably hungry by late evening. All these trout are strong and healthy.
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| Still a few drakes hanging around. |
There are a few Green drakes hanging around. Not much of any thing else on the water though. I am anticipating the Hex hatch to start in about 4 weeks here on the local streams, always a highlight of summer for me.
The Hex hatch marks the transition for me from stream fishing for trout to Salmon River fishing for the fall/winter season. My drift boat is all ready to go, no last minute prep this year. Now I am prepping rods, reels and line. Check the fly boxes, boat gear and terminal tackle.
Salmon trips have been booking nicely and late Sept and 2/3 of October is booked. Looking forward to fish with some old clients and a few new ones this year. If you are interested in booking a guided trip this fall for salmon or steelhead give me a shout, I'd be happy to accommodate you if I can.
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Tight lines.
