A trout is a moment of beauty known only to those who seek it” ~ Arnold Gingrich
The opening morning of the Railroad Ranch was ushered in with a cool north wind, but plenty of willing trout were hooked and released. Anglers found success on PMD, caddis and even a few green drakes. Watch over the next week as the green and brown drake mayflies become the favored daily fare. The golden stone activity continues in the Box canyon and down on the lower river, and spinner falls are becoming a more reliable option. It’s a great time to spend a day walking the fabled banks of the Harriman ranch, so come on up and see if you can capture a moment of beauty.
BOX CANYON: 1040cfs The Box is fishing well. On the right day, when the bugs fly, the fish will key on golden stonefly adults. Focus your presentations on the middle river in the deeper water around big boulders. Drop a rubber leg or flashy bead-head nymph to increase hook-ups. Double nymph rigs are a sure fire way to find success and pulling streamers when conditions dictate can move some hefty Trout. On the lower end of the canyon, look for fish up on caddis, PMD’s, drakes & spinner patterns.
HARRIMAN RANCH: As stated above, it’s a great time to spend a day in the Ranch. We’re seeing spinner activity early and late, PMD’s throughout the day, green drakes, caddis, caddis, caddis and the brown drakes are even starting to pop. Mix that up with a few ants and beetles between hatches and an angler could spend the lion's share of the day chasing those fat Harriman rainbows.
LOWER MESA - ASHTON: Always a solid choice, the lower canyon all the way to Ashton reservoir continues to produce. Golden stones, caddis, PMD’s and drakes are the name of the game. Look for fish up eating on the surface or employ a dry-dropper rig and prospect any likely looking holding water. Deep double nymph set-ups are standard M.O. for dredging up middle river fish. On cloudy days, or early and late, rope up a big gnarly articulated streamer pattern and pound the bank.
LOWER RIVER: The lower river continues to fish in true June fashion. Golden stones, green drakes, PMD’s and caddis are all going strong. It’s been a busy little stretch of water, but with a little patience and dedicated approach, anglers can bring good fish to the net. Mayfly and caddis bead-head droppers will only increase opportunities and these big trout love big streamers, so have a few of those.
AREA LAKES: Reports coming in from Henry’s lake confirm fair fishing with a selection of leeches, nymphs and bugger patterns. Find fish and stay on them for best results. Hebgen is fishing well with choronomid patterns and we should start seeing strong caddis and damselfly activity any day now. Prospecting around structure with terrestrial patterns can prove effective. The Lakes will continue to improve as we move through June and in to July.