That's good info. I'll try a damsel. The only time I've seen fish consistently feeding on the surface is late fall when the flows are very very low...and this new event that I have discovered.
Long ago I was floating Solano lake and a guy who was doing quite well said he was using a black-bodied Humpy with the hackle burned off. I once ran into a guy who said he was doing quite well on an elk hair caddis. I was fishing one winter day when I noticed a very nice rainbow rising just out of casting distance; I later saw a little yellow stone on the water. Long ago during the winter just at dark the fish would go crazy on Solano lake; an unweighted midge pupa would draw strikes. I don't know if this activity still takes place but it was really exciting to experience. Personally, I've always considered Putah an nymphing stream so I really haven't tried dries that often but I just thought I'd pass on what I had heard or seen.
Last summer I had great success at the deer sign just at dusk with dries. Bigger fish were less hesitant to surface. Haven't tried it this year though.
Last Sunday I nymphed from 7 until 1130am. Had some luck early. In the last hour or so I probably saw 10 rises but I couldn't see what they came up for. The fish seemed small, but I would love to try for them. Any suggestions on what to try? Maybe a #20 mayfly?
