A great week on the Rio Grande, the river levels are perfect for the time of year. However on Friday the river went up and coloured a little which is handy for the coming weeks. 71 fish were landed, 17 fish over 15 pounds, 2 over 20, Average weight 9.9 lbs. Floating lines and slow sinking were the best, green machine was the best fly in the week. There were so many offers on the surface, with green machine, striping short and slow to keep the fly in the surface.
Water Conditions:
Water color and visibility: Very clear water until Thursday evening.
Water temperature: 8 c to 12 c.
Water level: The river is at ideal level for the time of year, there is good flow in almost all the pools. The river is at a higher than last season, and we had some rain so river should maintain a good level.
Weather Conditions:
Wind speed ranges through the week: Northwest or east wind all week but it wasn’t strong at any point.
Air temperature ranges through the week: 7 c to 16 c some rain and it was colder in the afternoons.
Wheather observations (sun, rain, fog, etc.):3 days of rain but mainly fine.
Fishing Conditions:
Flies that worked: Tubes and green machine accounted for most of the fish caught.
Big flies for the last hour: large dark tube flies.
Green machine took 80 percent of the cach of the week.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc): Skagit heads with different lengths of T-17, T-14, T-11. However floating lines were the best.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 7 to 14 feet. 12 to 20 lbs.
Slow striping and drifting green machine or tubes like sunray shadows were best.
Most of the fish were found in the lower and middle area of the river. The fish are yet to reach the upper pools in any numbers.
All fish were fresh.
Fish catch statistics
Number of anglers for the week: 6.
Total number of fish landed for the week: 71.
Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 21 lbs.
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 17.
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 2.
Average size: 9,9lbs.
Notable catches: Andrew got almost all his fish with single handed rod and floating line.
