By Federico Molinolo – Head Guide
 
Our first guiding week of the season is over. We had a whole new group of anglers this time and we had a lot of fun with them. Fishing was very tough, but we all worked hard to get some fish. 74 fish landed. 12 fish over 15 pounds, 2 of them over 20 pounds.

 Water Conditions:
The week started with very high and dirty water, because of very heavy rain we had last week.
 
Water temperature:
53°F to 61°F
 
Water levels:
Last week the river was lower than in February, when it is really low. So the rain we had was good to increase the water level. The water dropped about an inch every day.
 
Weather Conditions:
Wind speed ranges through the week: 5 to 45 MPH. Mostly westerly wind. Two days with easterly wind
 
Air Temperature:
47°F to 72°F


Fishing Conditions:
Flies that are working the best: We fished mostly big flies: Leeches, intruders, tube flies (Collie Dog and Monkey, from 4 to 7 inches long). In some places floating lines and sunray shadow worked great (4 to 6 inches long)
 
Fly lines:
We are using heavy tips most of the time (T-14, T-17, T-20 in 10, 12 and 15 feet). With no wind and clear water conditions scandi heads and sunray shadows did also work. The new Skagit FIST from airflow is a good option to throw heavy tips when you have to slow down the fly.
 
Length and strength of tippet and leaders:
4 to 12 feet, 15 to 20 pounds.

Fish Catch Statistics:
Number of anglers for the week: 10
Total number of fish landed for the week: 74
Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 22 pounds
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 10
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 2
 
Notable Catches:
Tom R landed a 22 pounder.
Rene M landed a 20.5 pounds.
 
Tom R caught the fish of the week: 22 pounds.