East Lake continues to be productive. There is no doubt that the action is slowing down, but fish are still eating consistently. The weather forecast is looking quite cold up there this week, lots of nights below freezing and a few days with potential snow. Definitely plan to fish during the warmer parts of the day. This cold will not be excellent news for the dry fly action. We could still see some callibaetis hatches but they will likely be brief. Subsurface is definitely the way to go. Balanced leeches have been doing very well up there, some of the bigger squirrel hair leeches have been fooling a few of the bigger browns. Tie on a chironomid or a midge with your balanced leech and you’re ready to go. Dark assassins and small mayfly patterns, like two-bit hookers, have also been getting attention. This weather is going to make for some excellent streamer fishing. Stripping leeches, buggers, or bigger articulated flies can be the best way to find big fish, it just might take some time. The clock is ticking, only a handful of weeks left where East Lake will be accessible.

Suggested Flies: Bird’s Nest Hare’s Ear #14-18, Dark Assassin #14-18, Bird’s Nest Or Black Depth Charge #14-18, Red or Black Zebra Midge #16-22, Biot Midge #18-20, Disco Midge #18-20, Black or Red Chironocone #14-18, Poxyback Callibaetis #16-18, Feather Duster Callibaetis #16-18, Flashback PT #14-18, Red or Black Yankee Buzzer #14,  Bruised Balanced Leech #10-14, Ruby Leech #10-12, Black Wooly Bugger #10-12, Olive Wooly Bugger #10-12, Black or Rust Slump Buster #10-12, Thin Mint #10-12, Olive or Black BH Mini Leech #12