Summer 2011 right around the corner!

[IdahoFly]

Summer as we all know is a magical time of the year when we can see trout rising too swarms of insects. Last summer we had amazing PMD hatches and for the first time ever saw green drakes on the south fork, I can only imagine and anticipate what this year has too offer. I was wondering what some of the sites westerner fisherman have tied up and ready for july. I personally found a few patterns last year that turned into go-to patterns such as the Barrette' Mutant Golden Stone, The south Fork Chernobyl (similar to the Barrette's.), And the Jimmy Z. I plan on buying a new 4 wt. rod not sure which brand or model yet so some feedback would be nice. I also wan't too know what you guys are looking forward too and what your favorite part of the summer fishing season is.

Tight Lines, Preston

[AaronJasper]

Amen to that

Here in the east we like the spring a little more!

But here's to some warmer weather!

[Dr. BlueDun]

Please God no return of last August---what an awful month that was. No self respecting trout was out of his deep cold hole, streams were low and real slow. Even the summer hatches of midges and caddis were fershtunkin, even the nymphs were happy drifting along the bottom in the cooler water. Other than that we could have some nicer weather---tomorrow is opening day for trout in New York and hopefully warm enough for some stream time after the 6 o'clock in the AM loons are gone from the streams. The village idiots and bank runners wil have retreated to the diner for brunch---then we can fish. Good fishin' "Doc"

[Troutastic]

[quote author=IdahoFly link=topic=5858.msg42203#msg42203 date=1301631211]
Summer as we all know is a magical time of the year when we can see trout rising too swarms of insects. Last summer we had amazing PMD hatches and for the first time ever saw green drakes on the south fork, I can only imagine and anticipate what this year has too offer. I was wondering what some of the sites westerner fisherman have tied up and ready for july. I personally found a few patterns last year that turned into go-to patterns such as the Barrette' Mutant Golden Stone, The south Fork Chernobyl (similar to the Barrette's.), And the Jimmy Z. I plan on buying a new 4 wt. rod not sure which brand or model yet so some feedback would be nice. I also wan't too know what you guys are looking forward too and what your favorite part of the summer fishing season is.

Tight Lines, Preston
[/quote]

Yep, starting to get some summer flies ready for my fly boxes. But before summer, we have the annual Mother's Day Caddis Hatch on the Colorado Rivers around here, mainly the Arkansas. It's a lot of fun, and probably the best shot at the fanatical dry fly action yall get back east sometimes, and then up in Montana as well (Idaho too maybe?). My go-to rig for that is a tan-bodied foam caddis with a Barr's Graphic Caddis off the back of that. We also have a pretty solid Salmonfly hatch, but its tough to hit it just right on those days where the trout are feeding on the adults. Mostly they feed subsurface on the big nymphs.

When the summertime months really get hot, I'll use some of Charlie Craven's "Amy's Ants" in a 10 or 12, really get some killer hits on those things... They mimic those big flying ants, large stonefly adults, and grasshoppers. Anything big really. I'm hoping to get some serious dry fly action this summer when I head up to Montana in mid-July. Speaking of, I need to go do some bug research on some of those rivers up there...

[IdahoFly]

Haha yeah Idaho is pretty well know for its dry fly action if you ever get the chance come on up too the upper snake river region, We have the Henry's which is probably the best match the hatch river in the world. summer time here we get PMDs, Green Drake, Hex, Grannom, Spotted sedge, salmon flies, Golden Stones, Yellow sally, skwalla, hoppers beetles, and ants. so its safe too say that you have plenty of time for some top notch dry fly action. Any Mutant stone and hopper patterns slay for sure.

[AaronJasper]

We had a "minor" set back today The stream temp was 38 degrees when we started our class today. Warm weather better come soon. The is not even funny anymore! I want trout feasting on evening spinner falls ASAP!!!

[IdahoFly]

Awh I'm Sorry too hear it looks like there is a little bad all over. Here in Idaho lately one day it will be mid 50's with no wind, and the next it is 15 with blizzard warnings. I'm afraid its gonna affect the fish alot but thankefully i have seen some starting too get color. our waters should start warming up alot soon so streamer action will kick into high gear. right now nymphs and big streamers are taking fish. if things really warm up by May we should see some skwallas. Good luck too everyone and lets pray for some epic hatches.

[AaronJasper]

Yeah what's the deal Mother Nature is screwing with us big time this spring. Let's hope that she gets it together. I'm getting ready to head out today and it's a little chilly!

[Troutastic]

Yeah, our snow runoff is going to be HUGE this year.... We just got another 2 feet of snow this week in our county, and it's.... April?!

I'm sure the east coast will be pretty similar, yall got dumped on this year too!

[SherpaB]

Yeah 2 feet of snow last week followed by an 85 degree day Saturday here in Denver...yipes! Drove through that blizzard last week heading out to a meeting in Vail. Stopped by the bridge behind cutthroat on my way out , saw a dozen or so in the slower pockets,,two were way over 20...prob...25 inches. I had my biz clothes on so I didnt jump in but nobody fishing there and a lot of possibilities...