THE BIG BUG

July 2022  
UPDATED 7/09/2022  

Salmonflies are coming off in full force from palisades up to quake lake, and have come and gone through the lower sections of the river. Even without the big bugs, the fishing on the lower portions of the river has been fantastic. After a crazy spring and early summer of cold temperatures and above average precipitation, it’s looking like our average summer temperatures and flows have arrived. We’re currently seeing highs in the upper 80’s, and flows at Cameron hovering at 1760 CFS while Kirby Ranch is at 1260 CFS. 

Throughout the whole river yellow sallies, PMD’s, and caddis are providing good dry fly action. Salmonflies from the slide down to palisades have been off the charts lately. If you want a piece of the pie fishing the big bug in that section, you have to be in there within the next week. Olive, and black streamers in the entire river have been phenomenal… let’s Just say the black Dungeon hatch is going off. Nymphing with caddis, stonefly, and PMD nymphs has been good as well. 

FLIES: 

Dries - Size 14-16 Caddis, Size 14-18 PMD, Size 14 Yellow Sally , and Salmonflies Size 4-6, and Size 2 if your a legend

Nymphs - Prince Size 14-16, PMD Size 14-16, Black Rubber Leg Size 4-8, Pheasant Tail Size 14-16.

Streamers- Black Sex Dungeon, Black Silk Kitty, Lil Kim, Black Screamer, Olive Ziwi Kiwi

Looking for some fly tying material to create these patterns? Check out our fly tying collection online or stop by the shop! As temperatures warm up, continue to practice your best fish handling techniques. Avoid fish pictures for the gram whenever possible so that we can continue to have healthy fish populations for years to come.

- MTS Guide Rob Foster