Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
Troutnut on Jul 27, 2006July 27th, 2006, 3:24 pm EDT
I fish small streams quite a bit, and I almost always do poorly in the last half-hour before dark. This seems strange since that's usually the best time of day on the larger rivers I fish.
I wonder if there's something to it, and the fish become inactive earlier, or if it's just that they're harder to fish effectively without being able to see what you're doing. My guess would be the latter.
Has anyone else noticed this?
Jason Neuswanger, Ph.D.
Troutnut and salmonid ecologist
Wiflyfisher on Jul 28, 2006July 28th, 2006, 9:03 am EDT
Jason, I think you have to also consider the surrounding habitat and how that might effect the fishing situation. As example, a smaller stream in the East and Midwest (ie: Long Branch, Big Brook, etc...) has much more overhead cover (trees shading the water), less sunlight and lower water temps than most larger (wider) rivers. This could definitely effect the hatch / feeding cycle.