Rain Report

[DoveTail]

Lots of big ones - rain drops. An exciting experience - all the electricity in the air. I had to get out of the water because I have felt soles on my waders. Looks like a lot of these folks have rubber soles so they won't get shocked?

I'll save my odds to fish again.

Early in the morning I noticed some orange glows and flashes, hmmm, it's not the 4th of July. The rain held off for a few hours. Mid morning and until lunch it was heavy enough rain that most of the crowds pulled out for shelter with a few still in the water.

Being the last day, there were quite a few people around. No part of the stream was really open for some long cast and good drifts but you could find a few spots. Closer than I would like to have, 4 people in this area.

Overall I would say the fishing was slow but could catch some fish every now and then.

I was determined to catch a fish on a dry fly but could NOT do it. Had some lookers at attractor patterns but that is the best I had on any of the dries. Threw everything from #10 to #24. All catches were wet flies. Producers ranged from San Juan worms, a lot of colors were working. Eggs, jigs, nymphs, scuds and about anything you would throw would would eventually catch a dumb one. I did not see a lot of poles bent over but people did have some stringers. It seems to get better in the afternoon as the low level clouds pushed out and some humid baby blue skies peaked through the clouds.

With the rain taking over the fishing it gives the opportunity for some photography. A couple of images from the stream.

I fished from the spring in Zone 1 all the way to the dam. Also Zone 2 from the dam to the bridge next to Zone 3. I basically looked for an open area and tried that. Crowded in some areas where all that could be done is a roll cast in your lane, I avoided that. On the last day looking for a little room to cast.

Although the fish did not cooperate with a great bite, at least I was outside. It looks like the Catch and Release season is going to be just a crowded.

[oneshot]

Yea I was down the river tuffing it out until a Big Bolt Struck close by.I said enough of this BS went to the Pickup.

oneshot

[Bman]

DT, You are getting around these days. Maramec Springs Thur, and Bennett the next. Thanks for the report, and pics.

[brittsnbirds]

DT-

Good pics, wish I could figure out how to put pics on this site. I agree with the lightning, I ran up to Charlie's when all that started. Went back down when it appeared to move out.

All in all the fishing was a C+ to B- for me. I stood just below the arch bridge after the rain and swung a FC CB just above the first rifles. Rolled around a dozen and only hooked up to 3. They seemed to be striking right at the tip of the fly. Tried some emergers in there also and did the same.

Had no takers to the dry in the 3 days I was there. Used some #20 PT's and Hare's ear tandom did ok in the rifles just below Holland dam.

If there was any one thing that was common is was size. I found I did better if I used very small patterns. Patience was the name of the game.

On Friday evening I was just above the Holland dam below the handicapp acess. Only 1 other guy in there so I pulled out my original pattern FC CB with floating line and threw it over to some rising fish on the far side. No takers but on the strip I caught 6 or so in an hour, missed another 6. Several were keepers. The nice part was there was only 2 other gentlemen that joined me doing the same thing. Had nice conversation and enjoyed watching the Kingfishers (pic) out fishing us. Everything was nice and peaceful, mother nature at her best! What a great way to end the season.

Pat