Ask the age old question “What are they biting on?” you usually get a wily smirk and a sarcastic reply: “the end of my line”. Luckily for us, our Master Guide Pat, actually enjoys friends catching fish, almost more than he enjoys catching them himself. Here are his tips for late summer fly fishing on the Elk River.
“It’s Trico season! Big fish on tiny flies. Currently, the river is running low and the fish have keyed-in on a specific bug hatch.
It is the smallest mayfly and the fish are taking the spent spinner’s. A spinner, “hatch” is when the bug’s mate over the river and drop their eggs. After their short adult life cycle they fall into the river and become easy prey for the trout.
The hatch occurs in the morning from about 9am to 12pm, look for the deeper holes. It is common to see pods of rising fish. When I fish with clients, I usually fish two dry’s, one that they can see and the small Trico behind the lead fly. Fish up-stream and use light tippet (6x). Quarter your cast up-stream and get the best dead free drift as possible and let them run. Have fun!” -Pat