Spring was hesitant to arrive on home waters. Typical hatches of mayflies and caddis only making occasional, brief appearances. There were Hendricksons on a couple of watersheds. On another day, another stream, Caddis. We kept looking, waiting but consistency was hard to find. Fish were caught but the struggle was real. But lately, as we’ve slid into June, things have picked up. We’ve had a taste of normal. 

Bug soup season is upon us. Based on the time of any given day, I can expect to see a vast array of mayflies and caddis. It’s not unusual now to see two different caddis species, small blue wing olives, pale evening duns, sulfurs, Lt. Cahills, and even a few hexagenias. It’s a full menu and only close observation will give you the clues to your selection of a fly pattern. Keep in mind not all trout may be feeding on the same entrée. 

Weather, always a factor, dictates when I fish, but at this time of year it’s hard to go wrong with the evening hours. Specifically 7 PM to dark thirty. I carry all of the above mentioned patterns. On most evenings I might switch flies several times until I find the right imitation. If the evening becomes extremely frustrating I have one other technique I will try. Regardless of what I think is going on I will swing a size 14 heavy, soft hackle pheasant tail down to and in front of feeding fish. It can be extremely effective. 

Fingers crossed we’ll get a few more weeks of bug filled evenings. Trout will rise, fish will be caught. Enjoy! July will be here soon and a whole new game will begin.