Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Little Sister Fishing Well

THE WALK IS WORTH IT
Go Past The First Bridge
we like the green ones
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(All images are monstrous - click for detail.)
.. The trailhead parking lot at Lone Star is full of cars, the Kepler Cascade parking lot is full of cars: "What to do?"
.. Fish the little sister. There's plenty of parking. There's lots of hoppers. There's cool deep runs. There's few fishers. Nez Perce Creek is fishing well, and the catching couldn't be better.
.. The walk to the fishable sections is pleasant and of a gentle grade. The trail is discernible but not well worn. With morning clouds the dew will wet your socks until 10:30 or 11:00 AM.
.. Take pictures, but stay clear of the thermal areas. When you get in the vicinity of the first bridge you're home free. The heat has not slowed the catching and the hoppers are in full flight.
.. Take as many or as few types of flies as you like. The fish are feeding and enjoying a feast of both terrestrials and aquatics.
.. Hoppers are prime attractors: so too, Beetles, Ants, Mosquitoes, Spruce Moths, and of course your favorite Wulff. The action on top is consistent and nearly continuous throughout the day. If you see noses, fling 'em some food.
.. Subsurface fishers can find plenty of action by drowning the above flies or sticking with the favorites: Prince Nymph, Muddler Minnow, Hornberg, and Feather Duster are the usual neighborhood choices.
.. There is still a fairly decent caddis hatch on Nez Perce Creek. There is also some sporadic mayfly activity. If you bump into one of these - have at it.
.. A few enormous bison are wandering in the meadows and a sharp eye should be kept peeled during this time of year. It won't harm your day if you leave the trail and retreat to the trees as you watch these fuzzy giants amble by.
.. The unsettled weather for the upcoming 10 days or so should keep the fish and the bugs percolating right along. Hot for hoppers and ants, cloudy & cool for mayflies, sunny for moths and caddis: what more is there.
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