Great Falls Fishing Report 8.22.2017
It’s a little cooler in the mornings these days and afternoon temperatures are pleasant again. On most mornings Holter Dam is discharging 4,360 cubic feet per second and the water temperature is 64 degrees. It appears we survived the heatwave with temperate waters and healthy fish. Our biggest complaint is the smoke, which ebbs and flows, but never seems to go away entirely. Amazing sunrises and sunsets have been a daily bonus, though.
What’s on Top?
The fish are eating small mayflies and midges along with a variety of terrestrials. While the big hatches have waned, opportunities to fish on top are always present. Don’t ever discount the caddis as there are always some about. A few larger mayflies are often mixed amid the tiny Trico and Pseudo fare. A size #16 Para Adams in grey or purple is never a bad choice as a searching pattern. You can also go big and fish a damsel.
Trico’s are still a good bet. The big July spinnerfalls have given way to sporadic flutters, but fish are still looking for Tricos. I found fish up on Trikes from a little after 9 a.m. until noon last Friday. You may have to hunt a little more for heads, but there are plenty out there.
Terrestrials
If you listen, you can hear them buzzing. From the heat of the day and onward to sunset, you can deploy the foamies. Hoppers, ants, crickets and beetles of all shapes, sizes and colors are fun to fish. Success is variable, but if you stick with it, you will get some eats. Sometimes the eats come in the quick water, sometimes in the slow stuff. Sometimes these terrestrials are eaten on the dead drift and sometimes on the twitch or the chug. It’s a game of cat and mouse. Sometimes the cat seems to be sleeping, but eventually he can’t resist pouncing.
Early Morning
I love being on the water at sunrise. Unfortunately, right now there is not much surface activity in the early hours. What’s an angler to do? Throw a streamer. Despite the weeds, you can still get plenty of clean casts if you pick your placements. You’ll still be pulling some weeds off your flies, but the results might make your efforts worth while. When you rip your fly over a flat and a brown or rainbow crushes it in a boil worthy of a steelhead, how is that not going to put a smile on your face?
Nymphing
From the dam to Craig, the bite is strong from sunrise until at least midday. You can’t go wrong fishing tiny nymphs. Zebra’s, Tufted Zebras, Two Bit Hookers, Lightning Bugs, Rainbow Warriors, High Def Baetis, Little Green Machine, Tung Death Metal and good old PT’s keep you in the game if your rigging is right. For me, a small indicator and 4-6 feet of space between the indicator and a B sized shot over two flies has been working great. Adjust as depth dictates.
What’s next?
Fall is just around the corner. The camo guys are making plans. That means low traffic on the waters at a time when the fishing is getting really good. I love hunting season! We are looking forward to some rain, to wearing waders, to a new round of Baetis, to throwing big streamers, and to swinging with the trout spey again. And it’s almost time to just that.