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Hopper time
I put on my waders, my felt-soled boots and a fleece vest because it felt a little bit cool when I got to the Oldman River. The sky was cloudy, threatening rain. A chilly breeze was sweeping down the valley from the west. But within 20 minutes I was sweating like I was in the tropics, the breeze had stopped and the sun had popped out from behind the clouds. I should have known. Summer might be winding down, but it ain't done yet. I'd come down to the Oldman River below the Three Rivers Dam to try a bit of late-afternoon grasshopper fishing. No, not fishing for grasshoppers. I mean using big flies imitating grasshoppers to fool some trout into playing with me for a bit. It's the time of year for grasshoppers along the river banks to start leaping and flying around looking for mates.
Utah's game fish: Rainbow trout
Coloration can vary. Most mature rainbows, however, have a distinguishable red or pink streak on their side from head to tail. The body is a gray-blue or olive above the lateral line and a silver color below. The body, dorsal fin and tail have black or brown dots. Wild rainbow will often have white-tipped fins.
Characteristics Rainbow trout tend to be shallow to mid-depth "bottom feeders," which makes them easier for shore anglers to catch. They also feed year-round and are a favorite target of ice fishermen. This is probably the most popular fish in the trout family, because it is typically easier to catch, has exceptional strength and is noted for its showy jumping. And, as with all trout, its culinary qualities are excellent. The rainbow, however, does not compete well with other fish, particularly the Utah chub.
Anglers hopping on buggy bandwagon
You're not seeing things; that tall grass really is wriggling, but not to worry, for there are no supernatural forces at work. The constant movement - and the rustling noise that accompanies it - is caused by thousands of tiny grasshoppers. Central New York had a heavy hopper hatch last summer, and this year's crop appears to be just as abundant. Fishermen, especially trout anglers, should take note, for when those jumpy insects start making crash landings on local streams, hungry browns, brookies and rainbows will hear the dinner bell ringing. Normally, I don't expect to see full-grown grasshoppers in any numbers until the third or fourth week of August, but they're running ahead of schedule this year. As soon as the water in Nine Mile Creek, Chittenango Creek and other rain-swollen streams drops and clears, live hoppers or artful imitations of the real thing should prove deadly.
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