Stoneflies won’t wait…

We’ve been waiting for a day like this all week. Flow is at 120 CFs and the river is clear and warming from 40 F. Be sure to check out any log jams or deadfalls while you’re out in the sunshine. Stoneflies crawl out on these before lifting off.Most of the activity we’ve seen this year has been between Bunkerhill and Big Falls Rd in shallow riffles.Try fishing patterns in a range of #14-16 down and across. Midday fishing should be the most productive. Note: We just brought in some really nice hairwing patterns that will do the trick. They’re in the tins on the …

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It’s snowing stoneflies…

Water is cool at 40 F and clear, flow is 118 CFs and we’ve had several fisherman in today that should have the river all to themselves. Be sure to check out some great pics of Gunpowder fish caught the other week on dries by resident guide Jeff Lewatowski at http://lewscfa.com Nymphing with stonefly patterns sized #14-16 and trying dries midday is still the best approach. Hair wing stones sized #14-16 will flutter and skate a little better in riffles. Bring a few quill winged stones #14-16 with you if you’re planning on fishing pools and flats. Note: Warmer days are ahead… but don’t wait …

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Rainy Valentine…A,B,C, and NZ

…and the consensus is…cabin fever. We saw as many folks Saturday as we do in June during the Sulphurs. With temps in the mid 50’s, the air was right and the water was dropping all weekend. Fishing dries is still very challenging with water temps between 39 and 41 F, so many fished double rigs like a #14 Red Butt Soft Hackle in front of a #10-12 Red Copper John. Falls Rd. through Masemore was busy enough, but there were not as many fishing as you’d think, just lots of folks gearing up for destination trips to Argentina, the Bahamas, Chile, and I almost forgot, …

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Nice weather for February…

After the weekend, we’re starting to see a few risers midday.River conditions are excellent. -Flow is at 118 Cfs and the river is clear. Little black stoneflies, #18 and early brown stones #16 were spotted at Masemore Rd access.With water temps hovering around 39 F, It’s safe to say that more fish will be taken on beadheads and soft hackles this week than dries.If you’re starting early, bead head princes and zug bugs #14-16 are a good bet. If you’d rather fish dries, sleep in, eat an early lunch and get on the water around noon. Focus on shallow riffles and skate stonefly imitations sized#18-16, …

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Warmer days ahead…

The river is in good shape with flows around 120 CFs and temps from 39-41 F. A lucky angler found a half dozen willing fish Saturday on bead heads and soft hackles, (thanks for your report Dick!)It should be warm enough for some dries this week, so dig out your little black stoneflies and fish them in riffles. Skating them down and across midday on a tight line is sure to add a little excitement to your winter fishing. If you’re starting earlier try a red butt and bead head prince rig well before lunch. Ready for a walk? Give the Falls Rd stretch a …

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Spikes in!

It’s time to put those spikes in! It’s not hard to get to the river yet, so give it a try if you are dressed for it. River temp is 41 F, and flow is at 164 Cfs way down from last week and at a great level for nymphing red butts and orange butts in riffles and fishing large streamers including muddlers and small clousers along the cut banks.We had a few fisherman out today enjoying the quiet that comes with Winter fishing. With snow in the forecast, we have just received “snow flies” that imitate the little black fly we see this time …

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