Change It Up – 6/3/2015

Patti enjoying a great day on the Missouri. Photo by Jim Murray

Fishing reports have been all across the boards lately, some people seem to be getting into fish fairly consistently, others are doing “ok”, and others seem to be having some tough days out there. There is definitely some change in the air, and multiple theories abound. “Fish are full” “bugs aren’t consistent” “weather changed” “fish are weird”, etc.

Things definitely have cooled a bit, but with all the different theories, there is one constant theme: CHANGE. Anglers that are changing it up seem to be having success, while anglers that continue to do what worked last month/week/day/hour seem to be struggling a bit more often. Don’t be afraid to try something new and different. The fish aren’t as grabby as they have been, but they still need to eat. The challenge is figuring it out. What’s working? The talk around the shop is: “going old school” “Firebeads” “Big Dries” “9 ft to bottom fly” “2 ft to bottom fly” “weight” “no weight” “mayfly nymphs” “Caddis nymphs”. See a pattern? Not really, other than: change. The anglers that are trying new and different techniques are finding fish. So if you are not finding your flies in the mouths of trout as often as you like, switch it up. Throw different bugs. Shorten your nymph rig. Lengthen it. Throw dries. And as always, focus on the right water and a good drift. The fish are there. They like to eat. They want to eat. They need to eat. So make ‘em happy. Give them what they want!