The water was the lowest I'd seen it in seventeen years and the lowest anyone had seen in at least twenty-five years. The release I usually see at that time period is between 4,000 cfs & 6,000 cfs. It was 2,700 cfs for the entire trip and the water temperature was never cooler than 62. I'd say the average was 66 and one day it got up to 68 at the release point.
Lots of PMD's and very good cinnamon caddis. The last three days I had Tricos but only the last day two days did the fish feed to them. Every day, except the last day, was 90 degrees or more. The high was 98 degrees. There was a ton of guide boats and even more recreational boaters on July 04 & 05. I could say 250 boats on the Fourth of July and not be exaggerating.
The low and warmer (than usual) water makes the aquatic grass and weeds break off and float down stream in the water column. I lost at least 80% of my 19" and bigger fish to weeds accumulating on the line, then sliding down the leader, and either breaking the 5X or the sheer weight of the wet grass would pull the hook right out of the fish's mouth.
But I still managed a bunch of fish. Only one fish less than 15" in ten days and only two 16" fish. All the rest were 17" - 19" with about half a dozen 20" and two that went 21.5". I went solo this year so only have a few pictures actually holding fish. Often I was too far into the river to walk all the way back and take a picture of the fish. But here are a couple. Enjoy!
Lots of PMD's and very good cinnamon caddis. The last three days I had Tricos but only the last day two days did the fish feed to them. Every day, except the last day, was 90 degrees or more. The high was 98 degrees. There was a ton of guide boats and even more recreational boaters on July 04 & 05. I could say 250 boats on the Fourth of July and not be exaggerating.
The low and warmer (than usual) water makes the aquatic grass and weeds break off and float down stream in the water column. I lost at least 80% of my 19" and bigger fish to weeds accumulating on the line, then sliding down the leader, and either breaking the 5X or the sheer weight of the wet grass would pull the hook right out of the fish's mouth.
But I still managed a bunch of fish. Only one fish less than 15" in ten days and only two 16" fish. All the rest were 17" - 19" with about half a dozen 20" and two that went 21.5". I went solo this year so only have a few pictures actually holding fish. Often I was too far into the river to walk all the way back and take a picture of the fish. But here are a couple. Enjoy!
