In January, I asked for vacation time for the week of 4/30 - 5/6. Weather seemed awfully mild Nov through Jan so I picked a week earlier than other years. Bad choice based on the much needed rain we got
Overnight temperatures 37-39 most mornings. Day temperatures stayed chilly, some not getting above 43-44 degrees. Cloudy and rained several times a day...every effing day. Water temp 46-50. Clarity ranged from no visibility to clear enough to fish. River flows are typically 700 - 1500 cfs in the spring but rains had them pumping 8000 - 10,000 cfs. Things were majorly blown out across the entire region.
Were able to get a short boat ride Tuesday to assess damage and conditions. Looked pretty bleak.
Float Wednesday had us stumble into a very nice Hendrickson hatch that was short lived but we hooked up between the showers.
Thursday had us staring at a ridiculous and I mean ridiculous hatch. In a square foot of water surface, there had to be 20-30 hendricksons, 20-30 blue quills and a pile of caddis. Fish gorged subsurface and risers were sparse.
Friday and Saturday found the water clearer, flows lower but still crazy high, slightly warmer air temperature and less rain showers.
Snapped a few photos from the last two days. Yesterday was the first time I didn't need a puffer jacket and rain jacket in 8 days.
Overnight temperatures 37-39 most mornings. Day temperatures stayed chilly, some not getting above 43-44 degrees. Cloudy and rained several times a day...every effing day. Water temp 46-50. Clarity ranged from no visibility to clear enough to fish. River flows are typically 700 - 1500 cfs in the spring but rains had them pumping 8000 - 10,000 cfs. Things were majorly blown out across the entire region.
Were able to get a short boat ride Tuesday to assess damage and conditions. Looked pretty bleak.
Float Wednesday had us stumble into a very nice Hendrickson hatch that was short lived but we hooked up between the showers.
Thursday had us staring at a ridiculous and I mean ridiculous hatch. In a square foot of water surface, there had to be 20-30 hendricksons, 20-30 blue quills and a pile of caddis. Fish gorged subsurface and risers were sparse.
Friday and Saturday found the water clearer, flows lower but still crazy high, slightly warmer air temperature and less rain showers.
Snapped a few photos from the last two days. Yesterday was the first time I didn't need a puffer jacket and rain jacket in 8 days.
