by Hunter Barnes
Man, it has been cold, but fishing has been hot from the small blue wing hatches to the larger slate and tan caddis that have been popping on top, to the egg patterns, stoneflies and San Juan’s on the sub surface side. Fishing has been good to great in the warmer parts of the day, so there is no need to get out there early.
Delayed Harvest: Lots of fish have been taking y2ks, clown eggs, pheasant tails, small caddis, and BWO dries. Try finding real deep, fairly slow current and run a deep nymph rig with split shot to get it down to where the big boys are. We like throwing: -Size 16 Rainbow Warrior -Size 14-18 Pheasant Tail -Size 14 Clown egg and sucker spawn -Size 16-18 Caddis -Size 18-20 BWO’s
Never forget the tried and true wooly bugger as it will always catch fish, whether it be swinging, drifting, stripping or sticking, you can find a way to catch a fish on the good ole bugger. Try it in all colors; grey, white, olive, black, and rust. Our favorite combination right now is to throw a small pheasant tail ten inches behind a white bugger.
Make sure to call the shop or check online before heading out to the delayed harvest for rainfall greatly affects the water levels. At 300 cfs you can still safely wade with caution, but as it reaches the 500 mark, reschedule, stick to the banks, or hit the tailwater.
The tailwater is acting like it should in the winter. Fishing black and gold stones on the bottom and looking for BWO’s and the occasional black caddis on top. The go-to flies have been a pink San Juan worm with a big heavy stone bouncing off the bottom.
Tight Lines
Hunter Barnes
Guide at BRFF
www.blueridgeflyfishing.com
706-258-4080