Crane has been experiencing some fairly significant algae blooms, and the biggest challenge is trying to find clear water with feeding fish. With the water continuing to warm, we are starting to see more fish move into the channels, and in the deeper areas of the lake it is possible to get flies below the algae blooms and find fish. This is typically best accomplished under an indicator, using long leaders and weight to keep flies hanging vertically. There is also good Damsel activity, and if you can find clear water near weed beds and structure there is good opportunity to slow strip a damsel nymph with an intermediate line. Again, the challenge is finding clear water, which can be a tall order with the blooms occurring on significant portions of the lake and changing location day to day.
Suggested Nymphs: Dainty Damsel #12, Mini Damsel #14, Two Tone Damsel #12, Dark Assassin #16-18, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #16-18, Red CDC Pheasant Tail #16, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail #16-18, Olive or Black Balanced Leech #12-14, Mighty May Callibaetis #14-16, Olive or Black Zebra Midge #16-18, Black or Red Ice Cream Cone #14
Suggested Dries: Thorax Callibaetis #14-16, Hackle Stacker Callibaetis #14-16, Last Chance Cripple #14-16, CDC Flying Ant #16, Black Foam Ant #16, Foam Beetle #14-16, Para-Cricket #14-16, Peacock Chubby Chernobyl #16