May 2016

May 31st Fishing Report

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Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. South wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.   Recent rains have been brief, but heavy.  Expect to encounter clear to murky water area wide.  If the creek you first visit is muddy, either fish a leech or bugger or dive a valley or two over as heavy rain is localized and can be nonexistent in a nearby creek.   Fishing has been solid on the clearer creeks thanks to the sulphur hatch and terrestrials on the surface.  Subsurface fishing has been great on brush hogs, scuds, and heavy bead head nymphs with a thin profile such as midge larvae and pheasant tail type nymphs.   It's the time of year to start using your thermometer again.  Some larger creeks are hitting a peak temperature in the upper 60s where fishing slows down quite a bit. The prime temperature is 55-65 degrees.

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May 30th Fishing Report

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.   Fishing has been solid after some nice rains lately.  Creeks are back to normal flows and running clear to cloudy with water temps in the mid 50s. Leeches, scuds, and streamers on the cloudy water. Sulphurs, craneflies, and midges as well as ants and beetles on the surface of the clearer water. Subsurface fishing has been best on midge larvae and heavy bead head nymphs.

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May 28th Fishing Report

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Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Light south wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.   What a difference a little rain makes!  Creeks are clear to slightly stained, but the fish are in a much better mood thanks to the influx of water. We're seeing terrestrials, craneflies, a few caddis, sulphurs and midges hatching.   Subsurface fishing has been great on scuds, midge larvae, and heavily weighted thin bodied nymphs.

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May 27th Fishing Report

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Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.   Low chance of rain today, and the recent rains did little to muddy up area waters.  Expect clear to slightly stained creeks area wide.   Fishing has gotten a bit better from the past few days of bright sun and low water.  The creeks are still low with water temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s and the fishing is still best early in the morning and later in the evening when the sun is off the water.  If cloud cover stays in everything will be fine.   We're still getting fish to eat craneflies and caddis on the surface with terrestrials also getting fish to eat up top (ants and beetles specifically).  Subsurface is still best on gray patterns in size 14-18, heavily weighted.  Midge larvae and other small bead heads are also effective right now.   Remember to move your flies.  The trout are keying in on movement lately.

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May 26th Fishing Report

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Rain in the morning, then mostly sunny high near 84.   Some much needed rain this morning!  And as I am looking out the shop windows, the sun is already peeking out.  Look for some invigorated fish early with a few streams showing some stain after the brief heavy rains early this morning..  Everything should drop and clear very quickly as most of the rain will be soaked in by the dry ground.   On the cloudy creeks, fish leeches scuds and even San Juan worms subsurface.  On the clear creeks it has been scuds and heavy bead head nymphs subsurface.   On the surface we are seeing egg laying caddis, craneflies, midges, and even a few lighter colored mayflies, especially in the evenings.  Terrestrials (ants and beetles specifically) have been fantastic lately, don't hit the stream without a few in your fly box!   Creeks are low and stained to murky with temperatures in the mid to high 50s.

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May 25th Fishing Report

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Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3pm. High near 78. East wind 7 to 13 mph becoming south in the afternoon.   We have seen no rain over the past few days making streams low and clear and fishing very difficult.  We're hoping the rain comes today and some much needed cloud cover with it!   Water temperatures are in the high 50s to low 60s, unseasonably warm.  Fishing s best early and late when the sun is off the water.  Fish will rise the first couple and last couple of hours of the day.  They are eating craneflies, caddis, and smaller terrestrials.  Subsurface fishing is best on tiny bead heads fished deep, and leeches and buggers twitched along undercut banks and in shady areas.

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May 24th Fishing Report

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 Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.   The rain didn't materialize again yesterday leaving us with mostly sunny skies all day long.  It will be warm again today, so make sure you find shade and stay cool.  The same goes for the fish, they will be deep in pools and underneath undercut banks unless we get some cloud cover.   Look for fish to feed on terrestrials on the surface until the sun is off the water, then a few bugs are hatching especially craneflies. Subsurface fishing is best on tiny bead heads rolled along the bottom as well as cranefly larvae. Creeks are low and crystal clear with water temperatures in the high 50s to low 60s.

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May 23rd Fishing Report

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The last day of hot and sunny weather for a few days! Sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 18 mph.   Fishing has been difficult mid day, but water temperatures are still in the mid to high 50s meaning fish are happy early and late, and in spots where the sun is not beating down on them.  We're looking at some rain ahead (which is much needed).   The creeks are low and clear and with the warmer and windy weather lately, the terrestrial fishing has really heated up.  Fishing ants and beetles underneath trees and overhanging vegetation and plopping hippie stompers along undercut banks has been a ton of fun lately.   Hatches have slowed down a bit as we are waiting on sulphurs, sallies, cahills etc to show up.  The craneflies are still around and getting fish looking up. Subsurface is solid on heavy bead heads rolled along the bottom in smaller sizes and thinner profiles as well as cranefly larvae.

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May 21st Fishing Report

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Sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north in the afternoon.   Hot and sunny.  Treat the fishing like summertime.  Fish early and late and chase shade throughout the day. Craneflies are still hatching, and we have started to see some lighter colored mayflies and even a few yellow sallies hatching here and there.  The terrestrial bite is picking up steam too.   Subsurface fishing has been best on leeches, tiny bead heads fished slowly along the bottom and on scuds.

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May19th Fishing Report

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Sunny, with a high near 70. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Despite the sunny weather, the fishing has been fantastic!  Caddis and craneflies are the ticket on the surface and we have rising fish throughout the day, especially in the evenings.  Watch for splashy rises to indicate fish feeding on craneflies and caddis.   Subsurface fishing has been solid on coulee scuds in gray and tan, ice cream cones, and dirty birds. Don't forget your hippies!  Hippie stompers have been starting to catch a lot of fish, and some larger fish too. Creeks are low and clear with temperatures in the mid to high 50s.

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May 18th Fishing Report

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Sunny, with a high near 65. Light and variable wind.   Warmer, sunny weather has brought the caddis back!  While not as thick as it was a couple of weeks ago, fish will key in on them again along with the craneflies.  Don't forget to move your flies!  Twitched and skittered caddis and craneflies are deadly right now.   Subsurface fishing continues to be strong on pretty much anything gray in a size 14-16 as it represents caddis and cranefly larvae.  We are also having success on tan scuds and frenchies.

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May16th Fishing Report

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A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. After a bitterly cold (and it even snowed in some spots briefly!) Saturday, the fishing rebounded yesterday thanks to a really solid cranefly hatch area wide.  With the sun in the sky, expect the same.  We should see rising fish right around lunchtime.   Subsurface fishing has been solid on scuds and cranefly larvae patterns as well as midge larvae and leeches. Creeks are low and clear with water temps in the mid 50s.

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May 13th Fishing Report

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Periods of showers, mainly after 2pm. High near 54. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.   Fishing remains solid in the Driftless!  The craneflies are out and fish are feeding well on the surface, especially to twitched flies. Subsurface fishing continues to be strong on scuds, copper johns in red, and midge larvae. Creeks are low and clear with temperatures in the mid 50s.  We have not had any rain to speak of and every creek is fishing well.

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May 12th Fishing Report

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Isolated sprinkles between 2pm and 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. West wind 7 to 13 mph.   Fishing has been fantastic the past few days.  The cloud cover has fish in a good mood and the cranefly hatch, midges and egg laying caddis have trout looking up.  Subsurface fishing has been hot on anything grey and size 16 (cranefly larvae)   Creeks are low and clear with temperatures in the mid 50s.

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May 11th Fishing Report

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A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph.   We've only received about half an inch over the past 24 hours.  Nothing to muddy up or even stain creeks significantly.  Everything is clear to slightly stained with water temps in the mid 50s.     The cooler weather and clouds have fish feeding very well subsurface on scuds and leeches as well as cranefly larvae, and tiny bead head nymphs.   The caddis hatch has stalled with the cold front, but the craneflies are still popping all day long.  Look for sporadic, splashy rises and tie on a cranefly or orange soft hackle!   Mousing has started and fishing larger subsurface patterns at night has yielded some nice fish too.

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May 10th Fishing Report

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Periods of showers, mainly before 1pm. High near 56. East wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.   Cooler, cloudy and drizzly weather has made fishing fantastic.  While the caddis have slowed down a bit, the cranefly hatch has really kicked into high gear.  Look for splashy rises.   Subsurface fishing is excellent on gray anythings.  Scuds, cranefly larvae, anat-o-may, pink squirrels as long as it is grey the fish seem to be eating it!   It has only drizzled and rained lightly a bit, creeks are clear and a bit low with water temperatures in the mid 50s.

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May 9th Fishing Report

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A slight chance of showers before noon, then a chance of showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 62. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.   Looking at some nice clouds and a cooler week this week!  Expect the fish to respond, especially on scuds and leeches subsurface.  The cloudy weather will blunt the caddis hatch a bit, but the craneflies will be strong and a few olives will be seen under the clouds.  Don't forget to try your hippie stompers!  Fish are looking up and can go after a big meal.   Creeks are low and clear with water temps in the mid to high 50s.  We are not supposed to get dumped on with rain, so things should remain clear all week.

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May 7th Fishing Report

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 10 to 14 mph.   Today is the regular season opener.  The creeks are a zoo, it would be a good weekend to get some stuff done around the house. If you do fish this weekend remember to fish nice!  Give other anglers space, do not hop in above another angler!  If there is a car at an access point and you can not check in with the angler, move to another spot.   Caddis and craneflies are hatching daily, especially in the afternoon and evening, and fish are feeding subsurface on scuds, leeches, and cranefly larvae.   Creeks are clear and low with temps in the mid 50s.

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May 6th Fishing Report

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Sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 7 to 13 mph.   Another warm and sunny day.  Pleasant to be outside, but the sun is making fishing a bit difficult unless you are on a creek where the craneflies and caddis are hatching.  Then it can be really fun! Creeks are low and clear with temps in the mid to high 50s.  Caddis and craneflies are hatching daily with fish starting to feed in the afternoon and into the evening.   Subsurface fishing has been best on leeches, gray scuds, pink squirrels, and frenchies.   Keep in mind that this weekend is opening weekend, and can be quite busy.  Remember to fish nice!  If there is another angler at an access point or bridge check in with them to see which way they are fishing.  If you can not check in, move on to another spot.  Don't be the angler to hop in upstream of somebody already there!

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May 5th Fishing Report

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. North wind 5 to 7 mph. A chilly night last night will have things moving slowly first thing in the morning, as the creeks warm up a bit, we will see an increase in caddis and cranefly activity and more active fish. Creeks are low and clear with temperatures in the mid 50s on average.   Twitching a caddis or cranefly has been deadly lately on the surface.  Don't forget to move your flies! Subsurface fishing has been best on gray things.  Scuds, squirrels, cranefly larvae, jiggy hare's ears etc.  Followed closely by small, thin bodied dark flies such as pheasant tails and frenchies.

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May 4th Fishing Report

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 9 to 15 mph.   A brief, heavy rain storm last night dumped half to 3/4 of an inch of rain last night quickly.  While this will not have a lasting effect, look for a creek or two to run with a bit of a stain first thing this morning.   Expect clear to slightly stained water area wide with temperatures in the mid to high 50s. The sun is doing us no major favors right now early in the morning as it keeps fish deep and hiding under the banks.  Luckily, the caddis and cranefly hatch are bringing them out in the afternoon!  Subsurface flies that are working best are dirty birds, coulee scuds, and leeches.  On the surface we are having luck with craneflies and caddis in darker colors.   Do not forget to move your flies!  Caddis and craneflies are active swimmers and messy hatchers.  This time of season movement can be more important that size, silhouette or color.

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May 3rd Fishing Report

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Increasing clouds, with a high near 68. Breezy, with a west wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 11 to 16 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.   The caddis and craneflies are back in a big way.  Tan caddis are the main hatch, but there are still a few black showing up too.  The fishing fish start to show up in the late morning or early afternoon.  Before they start to rise, look for fish to feed on small bead head nymphs, leeches, and caddis larvae/pupae subsurface as well as chase orange soft hackles.  The creeks are crystal clear and flowing well with water temperatures in the mid 50s.  Remember the sun will drive non rising fish to deeper pools and undercut banks.

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May 2 Fishing Report

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 61. Northeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Light rain over the weekend did not do anything for water clarity, it is still crystal clear and running cold.  Now that the sun is out, the olives will be less of a factor, while the caddis will return.  We also saw our first major cranefly hatch yesterday.  Look for fish to eat craneflies from here on out!   Subsurface fishing will slow down a bit with fish holding deep and under cover to get out of the sun.  A heavily weighted scud or pheasant tail type fly twitched along the bottom will do the trick.  Orange soft hackles will be in play now with the cranefly hatch on, and of course leeches are still working!

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