Lots of beginners over the last two weeks and lots of rain too. The beginners have all caught fish, some more than others and the rain seems to be having less and less of an impact on our streams. Both good trends (except for the extra rain part). More tonight. .6” in the rain gauge now and still raining. I’m trying to make a judgement call whether someone should drive from Omaha in the morning to fish with me tomorrow night. Given how well our streams have responded lately, I’m inclined to give him the green light.
My beginner duo today was a Father’s Day Special, daughter taking father out for his Father’s Day gift. Pretty tough morning for the first couple of hours. Would have landed some earlier, but some line management issues allowed too much slack line which resulted in lost fish. I normally don’t sway from the nymphs with beginners, but we switched out to the dry fly near the end of the morning and glad we did.
It’s very challenging to cast a dry when the sport is new to you. Nymphs are relatively heavy and somewhat aerodynamic, whereas a dry fly is virtually weightless and not designed to cut through the air. A proper back cast and loading the rod on the forward cast are crucial. Jill figured that out in the end and was rewarded with multiple browns rising to her Elk Hair Caddis.
Flies to Fish in the coming weeks:
Nymphs: Copper John, Prince, Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear (#18 to #12), Caddis (#16 to #14), Midge (#20 to #16). Buy some small weight if you are nymphing!!
Dries: Caddis (#16 to #14), March Brown (#12), Griffith’s Gnat (#20 to #18)
Emergers: Any emerger/wet fly/soft hackle to match the dry flies above. Fish it with the dry.
Sreamers/Buggers: If you are looking for big fish or if the water is a little off color.
Fishing report by Kent Kleckner of Bear Creek Anglers in Decorah, Iowa.