The Dog Days of Summer

This is taking it literally perhaps, but it is late July and we’re officially in the “dog days”. Hot, humid, with thunderstorms at a moment’s notice, it’s summer in the north country and it has me yearning for fall already.

Many thanks to Mickey Cunliffe’s dog Tilly, for giving me a good excuse for not catching fish that day …

Even with the strong storms that we have gotten at times over the last few weeks, they are usually brief, and the river either is not affected, or if it is, it’s only for a day or so. All of the flows at all of the dams in Pittsburg remain wade angler friendly: 52 CFS at Second Lake Dam, 155 CFS at First Lake Dam, and 300 CFS at Murphy Dam.

The Trophy Stretch has remained good fishing for those that are venturing out to challenge the occasional thunderbolts. Nymph combinations too numerous to mention have been achieving the best success. Get adventurous and change up your offerings, but Beadhead Pheasant Tail nymphs and Prince nymphs are good ones to start with. From there, the trail fly options are endless. Smaller might be better for the next few weeks too – the fish have been getting “educated” all summer long …

Dries have also been working at times, so BWO patterns, Elk Hair Caddis patterns, and Stimulators are all worth giving a shot. We are also entering our terrestrial season, so Hoppers, Ants, and a multitude of other “buggy” looking flies should be given a look. Those are some of the most exciting hook ups all season.

South of Murphy Dam, the fishing has been slow for a lot of anglers, though the water temperature down there is a spine tingling 50 degrees. Great relief in the heat of summer, but not much in the way of active fish.

Back Lake’s hexagenia hatch is long gone by now, and while the trout are undoubtedly laying low in the spring holes, the smallmouth and largemouth bass are liking this weather just fine. A fly or spin bass angler would have quite a time one would figure right now.

As always, we have all the flies and accessories you’ll need for fishing the river, lake, or ponds at the Tall Timber Fly Shop. Open at 8 AM daily – stop in if you’re around …