Flows have remained low and steady on the Crooked and colder days mean that we will likely see less insect activity and start to focus on tactics more characteristic of “winter fishing” in the coming weeks. BWO’s and Midges will be the primary food sources going forward, and a light nymph rig will become the go set-up for us as we move into winter. The right days will still produce solid BWO hatches and good dry fly fishing, but expect to find more and more fish on small Midge and BWO nymphs as the days get colder. Light tippet and small indicators are ideal, most of the time we are fishing 5X-6X fluoro. There is no need to start too early in the morning, typically activity increases as the morning goes on, and there is best opportunity to fish dries during the warmest parts of the day in the afternoon. Look for fish to move increasingly into deep, slow waters and aim to cover water thoroughly as fish will be less willing to move to grab a fly as things cool down.
Suggested Dries: Sparkle Dun BWO #16-22, Hackle Stacker BWO #16-22, Tilt Wing BWO #16-18, Purple Haze #16-20, Parachute Adams #16-20, Nunya Midge #18-22, Tilt Wing PMD #16-18, Parachute PMD #16-18, Tilt Wing Mahogany #16-18
Suggested Nymphs: Black Winkers Midge #18-22, Black or Tan Beadwing Midge #18-22, Black or Purple Zebra Midge #18, Black Rainbow Warrior #18-20, Grey or Tan Ray Charles #16-18, Olive BH Scud # 16-18, Olive Micro Mayfly #16-20, CDC BWO emerger #18-20, Black Lightning Bug #16-20, Olive or Hare’s Ear Anato-May #16-20