May 27, 2015

May 27, 2015:

Beware of Lightning . . . .

Yesterday a friend and I launched out float tubes out in the field water of the Double R without paying close attention to the oncoming dark storm clouds, I guess figuring that they would pass over without incident. I yielded The Hole to him and floated a distance downstream.  Suddenly, the sky opened up with hail near dime sized and lightning struck everywhere, too close for comfort. Since I was beyond the point of no return I had to sit out the 20 minute deluge up against the bank with my rod parallel to the water surface. Mild hypothermia set in as we furiously and futilely cast to the trout which swirled for a half hour amidst the occasional Green Drake and Pale Morning Dun. The warming sun came out and out an end to the melee.  Not a fish hooked up with our flies.

Last night the Brown Drakes came off downstream of Highway 20. Most of the vehicles and fishermen congregated down by the Picabo Bridge but I saw Duns coming off at the Point of Rocks access. I didn’t see a fish caught for the half hour before I left. In the next day or two it will develop into the proverbial zoo scene. The experience is not my cup of tea but it is an opportunity to catch some nice Brown trout on big flies.  A wealth of fine dry patterns is available at Picabo Angler. I like to fish the “head of the hatch” with Brown Drake soft hackles, swimming them in front of fish that show themselves; if you hook a brute it is just like the take of a steelhead.

Doug Andres, Stream Keeper