Well, after last week's disasters, I had to get back in the saddle. With a brand new set of waders and boots, courtesy Nordic Sports in Tawas (got to try them on, something you can't do online), I headed back to the Rifle where my previous water pants blew out on me. No really major hatches, but quite a variety of insects on the water, some caddis flies flitting about and some mayflies riding the current. Well, it was enough to get them feeding, and I think I caught about 20, having lost count somewhere after 6...first on a #12 grey EHC, then switched to my last Iso imitation and started to REALLY hammer them, including a 15-incher who went into some wood and wrapped, then came flying back out when I went in to untangle him, still on the fly! Got a few little rainbows including a 9 1/2-incher that went airborne several times. When I lost that fly - I have the pattern memorized so I just need to tie 'em - I put on a #12 Adams and continued to catch fish...
Best night on the Rifle this year - beautiful evening, beautiful water, beautiful flowers, abundant bugs, hungry fish, and all to myself! Life IS good!
Jonathon
No matter how big the one you just caught is, there's always a bigger one out there somewhere...