I don't know if it's just me but I haven't hooked a 10-12 inch fish on putah in a long time. Overall hookups have been going down in past weeks (I'm still figuring things out) but while most hookups tend to be healthy ones in the high teens, there are never any smaller ones in the mix. Makes me wonder about health of the system. Curious if others have experienced this.
There are plenty of smaller fish. I usually find them in the faster runs BUT the larger fish are feeding heavily to gain those calories back from the spawn.
I'll echo what Rossflyguy wrote. The smaller fish are forced into less optimal feeding lies while the big fish are regaining their strength from the spawn. Plenty of small fish in the system. Once the big fish power up and start to spread out it will be 10"- 14" city and your gonna be asking "where are all the big fish at"?
CA F&W is doing a radio transmitter study and we are fishing Sat April 19 for trout to implant with transmitters. I maybe transporting fish to the operating table or fishing for patients. Any tips on flies or techniques. I do not fish Putah and plan on high stickin & Czech nymphin with really small flies 16-18 midges, red, black plus some birds nests and other sculpin patterns. I am thinking the creek is not very deep, maybe 6 foot max so I will be fishing the weeds, drop offs and holes. So mostly nymphin and drys if we are lucky
Also Kevin I have not gotten a report about your Alaskan Adventure.
wish I could come out with you tomorrow but I'm working. The flows are now 347!! for me, this means much tougher fishing. The usual go to spots are now mostly inaccessible because they are too swift and deep To wade close And fish tight line. Edges might be the ticket. I don't think that fly selection is as important as the amount of shot you load on. A couple days ago and 100+ CFS less I was using 5 BB split in a riffle/pool. I strated with 2 and every time I added split I got more strikes.
Ive been playing around with using a drop shot rig after I listened to a podcast featuring Kelly Galloup. It's a nice way to present those small nymphs without sacrificing being relatively tight to your flies and avoiding the "hinge" slack.
Good luck!
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CA F&W is doing a radio transmitter study and we are fishing Sat April 19 for trout to implant with transmitters. I maybe transporting fish to the operating table or fishing for patients. Any tips on flies or techniques. I do not fish Putah and plan on high stickin & Czech nymphin with really small flies 16-18 midges, red, black plus some birds nests and other sculpin patterns. I am thinking the creek is not very deep, maybe 6 foot max so I will be fishing the weeds, drop offs and holes. So mostly nymphin and drys if we are lucky
Also Kevin I have not gotten a report about your Alaskan Adventure.
Did you guys have any success?
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Support Putah Creek Trout in their mission to improve the wild trophy trout fishery. Visit and contribute at https://putahcreektrout.org