Fish Report for 3-31-2022

Along with the mayflies the caddis hatch is picking up and the craneflies are already showing up

3-31-2022
The Trout Fitter Staff

Flow Rates and Water Conditions

Water Conditions: Fair-Good

Flows are at 84 cfs as of 3/24

Fishing Conditions and Hatches: Good-Excellent

The Grannom caddis emergence is fading fast but the fish will still eat the pupae for a little longer. With the continued warm weather, the water temperatures are now into the low 50's and the hatches and fishing has taken off.The BWO hatch starting times are all over the place now, in some areas around 11:00-11:30 while other areas don't start until 1:00-2:00. This continues till around 3:00 and the dry fly fishing has taken off. This is the time to key on the riffles, ankle to knee deep. Along with the mayflies the caddis hatch is picking up and the craneflies are already showing up. That of course includes midges all day long.

Those nice deep holes are pretty much empty except for the big backwaters, the fish seem to be holding there and feeding on midges. It's not just the water temperature that dictates fish activity. So far the water has remained clear but keep in mind that after rain or snow melt the river can be dirty below the Petroglyph parking (#9) from Horton Creek. If you're down below and it's dirty just move upstream until you find clean water. The old winter rule still applies, the colder the night before the further upstream you should start.

Recommended Flies

DRIES: Extended Body BWO #16-20 | Hi-Vis BWO #18-20 | Parachute Adams #16-20 | Stillborn Midge #20-22  | Giffith's Gnat #22-24 |CDC Transition midge #20-22 | Slvrmn Stillborn Caddis #16-18 |Elk Hair Skaddis #16 | Tan Stimulator #14-16

NYMPH:  Pheasant Tail #14-18 | Caddis Cased #12 | Zebra Midge #18-22 | Olive Hot Spot Jig #18  | Bottom Roller Phsyco Rhyco #10-14 | Juju Baetis #16-20 | Pearl & Orange #16 | Tungsten Olive Mic Drop #16-18 | TB Millers +1 Lt #16-18  | Lexi Girdle Bug Tan/Black #6, Orange/Black #10

STREAMERS: Wooly Bugger Olive & Black #10-12 | Mini Sculpin Olive & Black #10-12

Guides Hint: Lesson learned the hard way, don't ignore the fish rising in the shallow water on the inside of the bends. They're usually a lot bigger than you thought.


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More Reports

The Trout Fitter Reports
for Thursday, March 31st, 2022

Hot Creek: Besides the midges we're seeing BWOs with more and more caddis
Owens River - Section 3 - Upper (above Crowley): More natural patterns have been working far better