Oatka Gold

My time on the water this spring has been great. I haven’t been able to go as much as I like, but then ask any die hard fly fisherman if he would like to spend more time on the water, and his answer will always be a resounding yes! So I make the most out of every second. I make it count.

A nicely colored Oatka brown

When I do get out I have been trying to find some decent dry fly action on my local inland trout streams while fishing my JP Ross seven foot two weight Beaver Meadow. And Oatka Creek has been on fire. If you like fishing multiple hatches with lots of bugs, then this is the time to do it. Plenty of Sulphurs, March Browns, Caddis, midge, BWO’s, a spattering of Golden Stones, and maybe a Green Drake or two fill the air this time of year. The afternoon through evening will be the most dramatic, and can often be a good learning experience for matching the hatch. But don’t forget mornings. This is the time, when conditions are right, where you can find a good hatch or spinner fall without the pressure of someone casting right on top of you. In fact I have found myself completely alone more often than not. And fortunately for me, that’s usually when I can sneak out for a little while.

Release point

A male sulphur spinner

Fish like this are a whole lot of fun on the JP Ross 2 weight Beaver Meadow

Depending on the air temperature of the previous evening and whether it can stay warm over night will depend on what kind of fishing you will have the following morning. And by no means is this an exact science, it’s just a reference point. When there has been a very warm humid day with enough cloud cover to keep the heat through the night, then you can expect a decent to extraordinary spinner fall the next morning. It is usually done by about 9:30am - 10:30am. But you will also find small sporadic hatches as well, and even though it may be tempting to throw a dun pattern, it will probably be more productive to throw a spinner, parachute, or a low riding emerger pattern. Rise forms will be the dead giveaway. Look for fish sipping, or dimpling the water’s surface. A rusty spinner is a good overall choice, but don’t be afraid to play with slight variances in color at the bench, because that’s what you’ll see on the water.

If you can’t get there during a peak hatch period be ready to fish nymphs. I have had success with #14-#20 flash back pheasant tail nymphs, hare’s ears, and black all purpose nymphs. It is also the time to break out the midge box as well. Depending on the day, fishing small midge larvae and pupae in sizes #20-#24 in black and brown, may provide some of the best fishing of the day.

I hope you all enjoy your time on the water this week…tight lines!