The Ranch and Mahoganys. 380cfs, to 225 on 9-22, to 200

The Ranch.  Lots and lots of eats, from the trout that is.  Bringing one to hand, that's another story.  A story of weeds, eats and false-eats, pulled hooks, and refusals.  Win some, lose more.  Oh, but casting to rising rainbows all morning and into the afternoon on the hallowed waters of the Henry's Fork.  Easier wading at low flows now for an older guy.  First the crippled emerger, then the emerging dun, the ant for some "wet rock" fish, and finally the beetle back up the bank.  Like clockwork.  Long leaders, with long tippets.  Hunt, position, and cast.  Perfect or nothing. 

Snow on the Peaks on Sept. 20

Mahogany Dun

First on the Ranch Most Mornings

First Here Every Morning!

Thick Weeds at First Bend



Evening Road-Side Spot

Thanks Mr. Fish

Until Next Time

I might like Fall, best of all.

Yes, summer has the variety of big bugs, long daylight, lots of time to move from water to water, warm temperatures, and big heads a rising.  But sometimes its too hot, morning comes quickly with little sleep, the days are long waiting for the evening rise, and the crowds are everywhere.  The super hatches bring out everybody in June and July.  Shade is at a premium.

Now, at equinox, it all seems just right.  The days and nights are near equal.  Morning is time for breakfast instead of rushing to catch the hatch.  The late morning hatches can last through the day.  There's time after evening fishing to have dinner and reflect.  I have heat, but not air conditioning.  And best of all . . . don't tell . . . everybody's hunting (or back in school, or back home somewhere besides the Rockies.)

The hatches are much simpler.  Baetis rule, and they don't vary too much.  They like fall too, a lot.  They attract the trout from late morning until dusk, and especially on the cool cloudy days.  Mahoganys fill the "big bug" niche in places.  Trout still like beetles and ants.  And that's all one really needs instead of pockets full of dizzying this and that.

Here we go sports fans.  A few straight weeks making the final rounds again.  For now, the finality hasn't hit home yet.

Two Creeks, One Day, Both with Rising Fish!