Wednesday, August 16, 2006

DATE: Wednesday, August 16, 2006

TIME: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

WEATHER: Low 70s rising to mid-90s

WATER CONDITIONS: 0 units, slightly turbid

LOCATIONS FISHED: Norfork River, the Pool to Mill Dam Eddy and back

HATCH: A few midges and crane flies

ROD USED: Winston 8’ 6” 5-weight WT Joan Wulff Favorite

FLIES USED: #14 tan Norfork River scud, #20 furnace cockleburr

OTHER: I fished with Wayne. I fished the riffle below the island and caught two rainbows on the tan scud. Moving into the Pool, I made long casts but caught no fish, though I did note several fish closer in. By shortening the cast, I began catching fish on the scud, including several rainbows, cutthroats, and a brookie, but no browns. One rainbow was about 17 inches. I moved to a long riffle and managed to take several on a #20 furnace cockleburr. The amount of sediment from development of Overlook Estates that had moved in and accumulated via rains and corresponding runoff of August 10 and August 11 was amazing. Near Elisabeth Creek, huge piles of sediment had accumulated over 1 foot deep forming an area of about 100 square feet, and included a pile of 1-inch aggregate mixed in with the sediment. The river bottom has changed dramatically, and is filling with the sediment. Areas several feet deep are now only inches deep. Wayne commented that it took the river over 3-1/2 hours to clear with full generation this time compared to near instantaneous clearing before. Is this the beginning of the end?