The Fly Crate members just got their July monthly fly package!
It took us nearly 8 hours of packing and slapping labels, but we finally got it all done here at TFC HQ.
From the start of July to the end of August, there are fewer and fewer fly hatches. There are still some heavy afternoon hatches of blue-winged olives, but trout are turning their focus to small nymphs and terrestrials.
Terrestrials are a common term used by anglers to broadly say ants, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, inch worms, cicadas, moths, etc.
So whenever you hear someone say “terrestrials”, that is what they mean.
Members will find a black carpenter ant in their package.
Hi-Viz Foam Ant - Size 12
The Hi-Viz Foam Ant is an excellent pattern for small streams, eddy’s, and pocket water.
During the July heat, trout will station themselves along the banks in deep pools and in undercut banks.
These pockets of water give them plenty of cover from predators and give them the perfect sight of terrestrials that wander too close to the water. Ants are clumsy climbers that can be easily knocked off of grass blades and branches by a small breeze.
In dense trout territory, I’ve seen ants falling from an overhead branch and it gets eaten even before it hits the surface.
Remember, meals are far and few between during these hot months. Trout have to compete with each other for these easy meals so you’ll need to be on-your-toes and react quickly.
Cast the Hi-Viz Foam Ant into pockets and at the edges of deep pools that have overhanging branches.
Don’t slap your fly on the surface. Cast your line 3 feet above the water and let the line float down onto the water. Mend your line to produce a natural drift and let the fly do its work.
One thing that we as fishermen are always guilty of is overfishing some water. If you don’t get a strike on the first few casts, odds are you won’t get one and you will have to switch flies or move.
Blue Wing Olive Thorax - Size 18
Blue-winged olives are in nearly every stream in the United States.
They are one of the insects that you can count on being there in the late afternoons on a daily basis.
The blue-winged duns will usually emerge after 4 pm and hatch until after dark. In slow runs, the Blue Wing Olive Thorax will be a great choice.
Don’t slap your fly on the surface. Cast your line 3 feet above the water and let the line float down onto the water. Mend your line to produce a natural drift and let the fly do its work.
When your fly starts to sink, I’d recommend applying some dry fly floatant or using your shirt to dry it. I often put the fly between my lips and blow as much of the water off as I can.
UV Olive Baetis Nymph - Size 16
Let’s be honest, the UV Olive Baetis Nymph is a nympher’s dream. It has a bug load of flash and a sweet euro nymphing style hook.
Small nymphs never fail to disappoint.
By now, larger nymphs have molted into the winged adult stage and the cycle of life has started over again. All that remains under the rocks are, generally, of smaller size. This is why many anglers switch to smaller nymphs.
Tie the UV Olive Baetis nymph under an indicator or tight-line nymph it through deep runs and pockets.
You can also drop this fly under the Hi-Viz Foam Ant. The foam ant is highly buoyant and will stay on top in moderate to slow pools.
Bonus Fly Pack
For all our new members who are Troutbum Members, we tossed in an assortment of TFC approved flies as an incentive to join.
These are flies that we have been fishing with for months, testing and tweaking.
The Hi-Viz Foam Ant is an excellent pattern for small streams, eddy’s, and pocket water.
During the July heat, trout will station themselves along the banks in deep pools and in undercut banks.
These pockets of water give them plenty of cover from predators and give them the perfect sight of terrestrials that wander too close to the water. Ants are clumsy climbers that can be easily knocked off of grass blades and branches by a small breeze.
In dense trout territory, I’ve seen ants falling from an overhead branch and it gets eaten even before it hits the surface.
Remember, meals are far and few between during these hot months. Trout have to compete with each other for these easy meals so you’ll need to be on-your-toes and react quickly.
Cast the Hi-Viz Foam Ant into pockets and at the edges of deep pools that have overhanging branches.
Don’t slap your fly on the surface. Cast your line 3 feet above the water and let the line float down onto the water. Mend your line to produce a natural drift and let the fly do its work.
One thing that we as fishermen are always guilty of is overfishing some water. If you don’t get a strike on the first few casts, odds are you won’t get one and you will have to switch flies or move.
Blue-winged olives are in nearly every stream in the United States.
They are one of the insects that you can count on being there in the late afternoons on a daily basis.
The blue-winged duns will usually emerge after 4 pm and hatch until after dark. In slow runs, the Blue Wing Olive Thorax will be a great choice.
Don’t slap your fly on the surface. Cast your line 3 feet above the water and let the line float down onto the water. Mend your line to produce a natural drift and let the fly do its work.
When your fly starts to sink, I’d recommend applying some dry fly floatant or using your shirt to dry it. I often put the fly between my lips and blow as much of the water off as I can.
Let’s be honest, the UV Olive Baetis Nymph is a nympher’s dream. It has a bug load of flash and a sweet euro nymphing style hook.
Small nymphs never fail to disappoint.
By now, larger nymphs have molted into the winged adult stage and the cycle of life has started over again. All that remains under the rocks are, generally, of smaller size. This is why many anglers switch to smaller nymphs.
Tie the UV Olive Baetis nymph under an indicator or tight-line nymph it through deep runs and pockets.
You can also drop this fly under the Hi-Viz Foam Ant. The foam ant is highly buoyant and will stay on top in moderate to slow pools.
