Finally, even if just occasionally, Spring-like weather has given us a sneak peek into what lies ahead.  Numerous Robins have returned to the yard, Cranes are standing in the surrounding fields.  The streams I fish are low and clear. The sun feels amazing but can make the fishing tough. The trout are skittish and scatter in my presence, no matter how careful I try to be. The wind seems to be always blowing. I don’t care if it’s January or July, I see it as an unnecessary evil. Fortunately, stream temps are picking up and so is the fishing.  

Currently I’m starting to see a pattern on streams that have good bug life. By mid-morning I’m finding Midges on the water and fish feeding.  Adult midge patterns with dark bodies, size #18 and smaller have been picking up fish. By noon, anticipation and hoping that the Olives will eventually be making an appearance, I’ve been switching to a short-shanked, size #16, pheasant tail nymph and fishing it in the riffles with success.  If all goes well, somewhere mid-afternoon,  the adult Olive duns will make their appearance.  At this point, I’ll switch to a #18 Olive Sparkle dun.  Weather will often dictate how long the hatch may last but with a little luck I can anticipate fishing on the surface for the next thirty to sixty minutes.  Even after the hatch has ended, it often pays to continue to fish the shallow riffles looking for a few more fish who haven’t quite had enough.  

At this time, on streams lacking good hatching, I’m continuing to fish much like I’ve done for most of the early season.  Always keeping one eye open for a surface feeder and the occasional Blue Wing Olive.   The only real difference I’m finding at this time is more feeding in the riffles, especially mid-day. This will become more common as the days go by and the stream temps climb. The fish soon learn that what bug life there is becomes more active at this time.  Knowing this I’m also putting more time into fishing these sections of the stream.  It’s not uncommon for me to upstream nymph fish a tail out/pool/riffle head section of water and then come back a short time later and downstream swing it with various soft hackle patterns.  

So that’s what I’m doing now. Over the next several weeks things should only pick up.  My fly box will get added to.  The window of actively feeding fish will open more.  It’s a great time to be standing in flowing water, somewhere. Bring on the Caddis.