As I write this the sunrise is another 20 minutes away at 6:06 am. Two months ago the sun was up an hour earlier. You may not know it by the noontime temperatures but the seasons are changing. In a month the Swift brookies will be wearing their spawning colors and looking for spawning areas. And the bows will be right below them looking to snatch up stray eggs.
In two weeks Labor Day will be behind us and the swarms of bathers/waders who have taken over the EB will be gone until next Memorial Day. Our season really kicks into gear then. Autumn is when this river shines!!
The Millers - Still an evening fishery but that will change quickly. If this river behaves and stays manageable we will have a good Autumn here too.
The last week has shown a substantial increase in Autumn booking. I still have plenty of spots available from September through November but they are always "first come, first served". Remember, just showing interest in a particular date does not mean it's yours. You have to confirm it.
The Cream Cahill - This is the last of the larger, light colored Summer mayflies that we will see on the Swift this year. It is always confused with sulfurs (as usual) even though the Cream is larger and of a different Family and a different Genus. It also behaves TOTALLY different than the sulfur group. Heptageniidae are clinging nymphs that shed their exoskeletons on the bottom and then rise as an adult fly to the surface. Quill Gordons (always mistaken for Hendriksons) and many other species do the same. That is why small soft hackles swinging through the water column really mimic this fly.
What size? Duns are 14 to 16 on the Swift. Same for the soft hackles. When can I find them? May through September but not in large numbers on the Swift. Use any pattern that you feel comfortable with.
Later,
Ken
9 comments:
Autumn oranges, reds, and yellows...wild brookies in spawning attire. Bring it on.
Ok, the Swift has come up from 45 cfs to 120 cfs. Totally fishable But I love that skinny water. Took 2 below the gauge and dropped 2 at the tree pool because the current pulled the size 26 out of their mouth (my excuse). Hoping for some heavy rain to drop the Swift.
Ken
Funny to read the comment 'hoping for heavy rain so the Swift drops'. Only those in the know would understand. I'm one who likes the higher flow. Moves the fish about a bit, and makes them a bit less wary. Plus they've less time to scrutinize the offering. All advantages for one who can't see to tie a #26 onto his tippet, much less follow its drift. Tightlines.
I don't want this to become a message board but if anyone sees old Bill on the Swift tell him that I know the owner of the green fly box.
Ken
Ken,
Speaking of Light Cahills, I noticed you can find a great cahill emerger pattern called the Genesee Jewel on the Small Stream Reflections blog. Looks more than worthy of a pattern for the Swift or any other river this time of year.
Ken,
I'm going today (armed with some flying ants and Light Cahill comparaduns, which I hope are close enough to Cream Cahills. Should I see Bill, I will relay the (green fly box) message.
Hermann
Hermann,
Thank you!
Anonymous,
That is a very good blog. I read it every day.
Ken
Man, Monday that "up" flow lead to many fishing going nut's for #8 chernobyls. VERY fun. Have to agree though, something particularly "homey" about fishing the swift close to 50cfs vs 100... Felt weird to see the bubbler arm rolling! Sort of reminded me of the "old days" when it would go up and down often and there were little stone wall current deflectors built where the bubbler goes into the Y :)
And now the flow is down again. Lets hope the roller coaster ride is over.
Ken
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