A December Report. Trout fishing at the River of Life Farm, North Fork River

Myron

Here is the fishing report for December 18-20 you have been waiting for. While the river was a bit low and clear for ideal fishing conditions, the weather for the three days was about perfect. Temperatures in the 40s, little wind and constant cloud cover with no rain.

The trout even cooperated two of the three days by rising in the afternoon to midges and blue-winged olives. On the day that there were a few more BWOs on the water, a #20 olive parachute did OK but I think I could have done better if I had a better midge pattern or knew for sure what stage the trout were feeding on. I got
nothing but refusals when I was sure the fish were feeding exclusively on midges.

The day that no hatches came off was the best as far as numbers of fish go. From Rainbow Spring to the end of your property I managed to take 10 mostly in the 12-13 inch range. The Halfback #10 was by far the most effective fly and 6 of my fish came from Rainbow Alley to just past your spring branch.

I think the fish have spawning on their mind instead of eating at this time of year but as always it is still worth the trip if for no other reason than to see the eagles and ospreys.

Jim