I have been fishing the American, and was catching half pounders until they decided to bump up the flows to 8,000 cfs, so I decided to give Putah a try. I figured fish it like a big river. I used a 90 degree leader setup and a lot of weight. To my surprise I hooked a fish on about my fourth cast. The fish got away, but gave me hope. I hooked three in about an hour and a half, but couldn't land one. I don't know which flies they took, but I was using fox poopahs, and various size 16 to 18 mayfly nymphs. If you go my suggestions are fish the edges, try to stay out of the water, and be very careful if you do wade.
Just out of curiousity Otter, how much weight is needed in these types of flows? I usually use one or two BB's, but am guessing this would be too little now.
This is Bob CB, I met you on the river yesterday. I went along the river looking for a place where the water was not too high or too fast and ended up at the bar that you described where the creek flows into the river above the bridge. Boy, that has changed shape since last year. Water down to about a foot in the creek. I tried a size 20 micro mayfly, a 22 PT and a 20 flashback mico at the edges, with 6x tippet and one #4 split shot about 4 ft depth from 2 small strike indicators, up and down the river from there, mostly in the eddies. No success. Some runs looked good and I saw a few fish rise just before dark below the bar. Do you use the bead head versions?
It was interesting to meet you as I've read your postings and always found them very informative and interesting. Thanks for sharing with everyone else.
