It was a bummer to have the river blow out as soon as the weather got good, but not a big surprise with the amount of rain we got. The river is still on the drop which typically offers some of our best fishing. The Teanaway upstream is still up, but is clear and has been fishing great. Below the Teanaway is still dirty, but fishable. Probably 2-3 feet of visibility which should keep getting better every day.
In the higher water, expect to see fish concentrated in inside corners, seams, and structures. This is a great time to throw some streamers and look for a big fish, but with skwala’s expected in the next week or so the nymphing will be very effective. Pat’s stones and worms will be the main bugs until we can throw some dries.
We recommend nymphing fairly shallow with no split shot. We find fish in surprisingly shallow water this time of year, so make you throw some casts in before you wade past your knees.
Flies
Nymphs
As I mentioned before, focus on shallow, long drifts on inside corners, structure, seams and buckets. Don’t worry too much about tippet size, we throw a lot of 2X and 3X this time of year.
1.) TJ Hooker – Brown/Black, Tan/Brown, Black – Size 6-12
2.) Pat’s Stone – Olive/Brown, Tan/Brown, Brown, Coffee/Black, Black – Size 6-14
3.) Jigged Pat’s Stone – Brown/Black, Tan/Black – Size -12
4.) Squirmy Worm – Red, Pink Size 10-12
5.)BH Gummy Worm – Size 10 San Juan Worm – Pink, Red – Size 8
6.) San Juan Worm – Pink, Red – Size 10
7.) Frenchie – Size 18-14
8.)Napoleon – Brown – Size 18-14
9.) Holo Point – Size 14-18
10.) Beadhead Pheasant Tail – Size 18-14
Streamers
Especially below the Teanaway in dirtier water, streamers will be a great way to find a big fish. You can throw trout spey or single handers with a sink tip. Again, just cover as much water as you can and play with the presentation until you start to find what the fish are looking for.
1.) Slumpbuster – Natural, Black, Olive – Size 8
2.) Sculpzilla – Olive, Tan, Natural, White, Black – Size 8-4
3.) Sparkle Minnow – Olive, Sculpin, Black, Pearl, Oil Slick, Smoke – Size 6-8
4.) Muddler Minnow – Size 6-8
5.) Woolly Bugger – White, Olive, Black, Brown – Size 6-12
We are currently still closed on Sunday’s but that will change soon. Just keep that in mind when planning your shuttle this weekend. If you would like a shuttle for Sunday, just give us a call today or tomorrow (Saturday). Please remember, Bristol is now closed to the public, but you can slide a raft in at the Teanaway of highway 10. Ensign is also still snowed in, hopefully it will melt in the next week.
As usual, if you have any questions give us a call! (509)674-2144