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Fish hopping for hoppers
As a general rule of thumb, the insects that make up the trout diet tend to get smaller as the summer progresses. The most notable exception is the grasshopper.
These bugs are relatively long-lived, and they grow larger during the season. In the last week of July the hoppers made their appearance in the Sierra, and they have the trout looking up for chow. The most common color at this time is tan. The critters are young (1-inch long) and size No. 12 or 14 flies will be a close match.
The most notable hopper bite from an anglers perspective has been on the Walker River drainage on the east side of the Sierra. Jim Weil from Kens Sporting Goods in Bridgeport reports that on the West Walker river along Highway 395, hopper fly patterns are the No. 1 fish catcher.
The West Walker is just now getting down to fishable flows, and a big fly will get the trout to swim up through fast water to take an insect on the surface.
All systems go for trout season
Finally, thousands of wader-wearing Vermont anglers will have the chance to dance on the grave of Old Man Winter when trout season opens Saturday morning.
"It seems like people have a lot of desire and demand to get outside and do something than going skiing," said Roger Ranz, owner of the Classic Outfitters tackle shop in South Burlington. "Everybody is primed for a good season."
Opening-day trout fishing in Vermont usually means more freezing fingers than fish. Rivers and streams swollen with rain and melting snow and near-freezing water temperatures conspire to make catching trout an iffy proposition.
"The water will be high and it will be cold," said John Hall, a spokesman for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. "The trout are going to be down deep and not as active as they will be later in the year.
Cyber-trip pioneer towns and mountains in southeast Idaho
You could be sitting in a boat right now, trying to outwit a trophy-size cutthroat trout or just relaxing and enjoying the scenery surrounding mile-high Bear Lake in Idaho's southeast corner. It's just one of the many attractions in an area that some travelers might overlook on their dash to more northerly parts.
Bear Lake www.bearlake.org offers a little of everything from fishing and sailing in the summer to skiing in the winter. Click on "Spring/Summer/Fall Activities" to look up fishing and see just how big those trout can get, and check out hiking trails, caves, camping and water sports. We're too late for Raspberry Days, Aug. 3-5, but you could file it away for next summer. And whether you travel with a tent and sleeping bag, a camper trailer or just suitcases, there are plenty of places around the lake to spend your nights.
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