So far this summer has been a total opposite of last year. Last year was cold and rainy. This year is hot and sunny. Everyone here is just loving it, keeping cool in the lake  and wet wading.

These  hot days have brought the water temp of Back Lake way up. A few Hexs are still coming off but very few trout are bothering with them. Some of you from what we call “Down Below” probably recognize this plate, especially if you frequent Archery Pond. Ken and I hit the lake last night and Ken is now known as “The Bass Master”. No trout but we still had fun. Tonight we’re going Down & Dirty. It’s time to put on the full sink fly line and dredge the bottom.

OMR drifted the Connecticut River yesterday with Bob and Scott from The Battenkill Lodge and they had a great day. Lots of browns, some in the 17″ and 18″ range. They were fishing with a full sink line and a Zoo Cougar,  a big sculpin pattern.  Big Fly, Big Fish! There were also rising fish and they nailed some of those too.

We had our final Fly fishing School this past weekend and everyone as always had a great time and caught a few trout on the Trophy Stretch. The water flow is still running at 150 CFS, which is a great flow. Darn right perfect, I’d say. The fish are getting a little tougher and you might need to work a little harder for them but they are there.  On top try an Elk Haired Caddis,  or go down with a BH nymph trailing a Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail and a  Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear, or the Soft Hackle Streamer in gray. Connecticut River water temps are great. We are soooo  lucky to have bottom release dams.

Tom fished Terrell Dam one evening last week and did well with a Damsel Fly on top.

Early morning on the dock

This is one of my favorite pictures. It speaks volumes. Happy Birthday Mr. Wilson!!