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Mayflies in January: Jan 15, 1999
By Eric H.
Mankato, MN Fleece underwear, wool
cap over the ears, 25 deg. and trout rising to mayflies! I was nymphing away to no avail,
and around 12:30 began to notice an occasional mayfly dun. Pretty soon the fish were
noticing too. I hesitated to change to a dry-fly leader, but was soon glad I had. The
whole 200 yd. riffle was alive with flies and trout.
For
once in my life I had exactly the right fly (#18 comparadun). The fish were snatching it
right amongst the naturals. This hatch lasted at least 2 hours. I was moving up and down
the riffle fishing to rising trout the whole time. I caught about 50%/50% browns and
rainbows; nothing huge at all, topping out around 12-15". Colors on the rainbows
stretch credibility.
This river is the only place I've ever caught trout on mayfly dries
in January. What a treasure! If there's a prettier piece of flywater than "Jack's
Riffle" I certainly haven't seen it.
Eric H.
Mankato, MN |
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