Took a break from snowboarding up at A Basin today as the weather warmed up and it was just too damn nice out not to go fishing... It is imperative to sneak in those nice weather fishing days before the temperature drops to mid 20s during the day here.
I ventured to a spot on the Blue River in town that I knew would be full of fish; maybe not the biggest, but plenty of fish. Most people know it as "Spectator Hole," as there is a pedestrian bridge crossing the river for the shopping outlets, and if there is someone fishing there they're sure to get an audience. I particularly enjoy this stretch of river as it is super technical, and really allows one to practice good technique and troubleshooting for some finicky feeding fish, but the audience sometimes gets a little annoying.
Well this was no different today, as the fishing was so good that I put on a "catching clinic" for the congregated audience on the bridge. Most of the trout were suspended about a foot under the water, feeding heavily on emerging midges. With a greased leader and two of my favorite small midge pupae patterns, I went to work! There is nothing better than watching fish sip your fly in gin clear water just under the surface. Caught probably a dozen fish after 2 hours. Flies of the day were a mercury bead flashback black beauty and chocolate KF midge emerger. Fish of the day was a nice 18" brown in fall spawner colors, pretty fish!