DRY FLIES!!!

It's game on. Hendricksons, March Browns, Blue Wings, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Midge and Gaint Stonefly/Salmonfly all out and producing. The Giant Stone/Salmonfly available in certain locations but not for long. Big dries equals big fun. Aquel, Frog's Fanny and Flyagra out front of the kit, not tucked away somewhere.

Nymphing is lights out in most locations. Others slow. That's fishing. Not running the rig as deep due to a bigger window. Easy rigs compared to the early season junk fest. It's actually fun to nymph right now. Pay attention to that lift/swing at the end, especially if Landlocks are about.

Wet fly swing. Combine it with a switch or light spey for complete coverage.

Streamers are on better than last week. Grabby. Clear intermediate lines getting straightened.

M.V.P. of the week: Loon Easy Dry.

Grab your favorite dry rod, clean your line and get some of the best dry fly conditions of the season.

Hatch Already!

It's good. Real good for the most part. A couple of slow days, a couple good ones. Flows are at July levels. This provides some pretty easy wading conditions right now. Nymphing and streamers are ruling the field for techniques. We are patiently waiting for the pop. Midges are really strong this week. Focus on the nymph.

Nymph patterns have changed a bit towards mayfly patterns. Fish are keying on the 12-16 sizes of Copper Johns, Hare's Ears and P.T.s. Czech nymphs are a great first nymph due to it's weight and attractive look. Large stones in black and smaller in yellow getting whacked. Funky colors and styles are breaking up the rigs and experimentation is always fun. Purple has been a strong color lately (You reading this drivel Satoshi?)

Streamers producing. Large and smallish. Articulated junk always fun. Full sink lines and tips on deck. Olive and yellow on bright days.

Spey trips and casting introductions have been fun. We are seeing more and more anglers doing the long rod thing this season. It's a great mix, long rods and large rivers. Distance and control are a good thing. We recently completed a spey intro class at Selene's Fly Shop. We may be doing another in early September if schedules allow. Keep checking in for an announcement.

Stock up on the Aquel, PowerFlex and Frog's Fanny. Load the dry fly box and get ready. 1or 2ish in the afternoon. Plenty of time to hit happy hour.

Nymphing Rocking.

Nymphing is pretty hot right now and it will only improve as water temps rise. Depth of the rig is up more this week. Touching bottom occasionally is what you're looking for. Salmon taken on the swing/end of the dead drift. That is a good sign. Brookies taken on the retrieve of said nymph rig is an even better sign. Rainbows and browns taken on the dead drift (snobby lot those two).

Our general rule is to get two fish on a two nymph rig. After two fish we change one or both flies. Why? That's how one gets better. Screwing with success and learning something new. Color combos, size variations, tungsten vs non beaded. Evolving everyday.

Nymphs this week: P.T.s, Rockworm Tungsten Caddis, S.J., CDC Prince, Satoshi's Purple Nymphaze, Czech Nymphs, Copper Johns, smallish buggers and big heavy stonefly rubber leg spark plug type patterns.

M.V.P. of the week: Sage 99 series nymph rod. More on this later.

Small streams are experiencing some hatch activity. The start of the Hendricksons has begun on the smaller waters. Nymphing and small streamers are the go to system. Until the first nose pokes through anyway.

Load the nymph boxes, grab your bobbers, fill the Yeti and get on it.

Mayo Conditions.

It's not that green here yet but if this weather keeps up it's going to be soon. Bring it. It's been a long hard winter and we are finally experiencing true spring weather. Short report for the week.

Nymphing is approaching lights out soon. Keep the adjustment going. Pay attention to the lift portion of the drift. That lift portion is a very good indicator of fish willing to move. Right angle rigs in vogue till mid month.

Nymphs in use: (don't flinch)San Juan Worm, Czech Nymphs 10-12, 20 Incher, P.T.s, Egg patterns and Barr's Cranefly getting it done.

MVP: 1" Thingamabobber.

Streamers: The streamer bite is variable. Some days solid others just o.k to poor.  Type 3-6 tips. Intermediate tip for the skinny and spooky. Slow strips with a pause in the a.m. Faster midday. Floating smelt getting grabbed or looked at.

Streamers: Buggers, McKnight Home Invader, Zoo Cougars, Top Secret Smelt and Junk That Has No Name. Start small and work up in sizes. Smaller buggers double as dragon and damsel flies. Strip accordingly to match those bugs. Pool shorelines are overlooked due to the sexy water in the middle.

MVP: Type 6 sink tip.

Dries: Midges. Weak. Short. Sporadic. Best in the morning. Glamour bugs soon.

Small streams are your best bet right now for your dry fix. Mid size attractors, midges, parachutes and ants will cover your needs. Small buggers and small streams go together very well by the way.

We are wrapping up a few more spey intro classes this month and it's game on until July. If your thinking about doing a trip this month or next act now. Most dates are gone. Remember late June and early July are still solid dates.

For more up to date info go to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KingfisherRiverGuides
during the next few months. It's a quicker format when time is short and the conditions warrant water time.

Bobber Thirty.

The season of the bobber is in full force. Slow and cold conditions. Will it improve? Of course, it has to. Next week will be better. Some say. Will levels drop? Maybe rise? Dunno. This is certain: Change will come. Embrace it and evolve.

Nymphing has been the money maker this week. The constant shuffle of weight and indicator placement pays dividends. Changing depth, speed and location throughout every session. Two good drifts once dialed in are usually all it takes for the hook up. It's the dialing in part that can be a struggle for some.That change thing again.

Favorite patterns in use right now include: P.T. nymph variations, Prince, Jimmy Legs, San Juans, Electric Caddis, Barr's Crane Fly, 20 Incher and Zebra Midge.

M.V. P. of the week: Split shot.

Hand warmers, beanie, puffy, check. Thermos. Check. I've heard Baileys in your coffee is pretty good. Just saying.

The Start.

The tune above goes out to our family, friends and clients who live in Boston and the surrounding area. Our thoughts go out to you. If you've never been to Boston you probably don't understand the term 'Boston Tough'. Take a trip to Southie and you'll see for yourself. Chin up.

Snow melt has started for real. From Jackman to Corbin Gore the melt has begun. Small streams that were locked up on Monday were wide open as of yesterday. The larger to medium rivers are up and will probably remain that way for at least next week. Small streams are a good bet right now if they are clear. Water temps are a bit colder than average due to the cold spring we are experiencing.

Nymphs and streamers. End of the fly selection portion of the report.

Spey and switch classes this next week. More available in early May if you are interested. Spooling up a new Skagit and test runs of new tips this weekend. The double hander time is now. Reach out and touch somebody today.

Bookings continue to come in and the early July dates are filling up. If you like the zebra caddis thing that's your time. Even a few late season fall dates filling the book. Always nice to get the fall dates locked in early.

It's here. That spring thing we've all longed for.

The Weekly!

It feels really good to write these words; weekly report. It's here. The 2013 season. We will once again be writing a condition report every week throughout the season. Along with anything else that leaks out of our gray matter during the season. You'll notice a lack of images lately on both this blog and FC page. It's always good to have computer image transfer problems. This should be fixed soon, so just be patient. Does it make me miss 35mm slide film? Nope.

Conditions require numbers right now. Numbers like Type 3&6 tips, Deep Seven F.S and T8 heads. Get down now. Large smeltage patterns along with meaty streamers getting it done. Slow strips with a pause or swing SLOW. We didn't even nymph due to the success with the streamer. The tool to have for us was a double hander. Easier to control line and cover larger pieces of cold water. If you want to win big, bet big. Throwing a floating smelt pattern is not out of the realm now either. Dead drift with an occasional twitch. Just like if you were throwing a foamy, rubber leg attractor dry. Nice way to break up the day.

Water temps are 35-36 degrees midday. Small streams are still ice and snow filled so give them some time. Medium sized rivers have clear, fishable flows. Large rivers were at a very good level last week. Will it stay that way. Doubt it. It's a constant flux. Wade with care and constantly look upriver for floating debris.

Wishing everyone a great 2013 season. Get out there.