Easy pickings.

There are 3 dry flies I'd consider must have's on a day to day basis for the Grand these days.............and for a good while to come. Each season they account for a lot of my fish.

Caddis #18-20 Olive/Blue Dun ( body/wing )

Cranefly #18 - 20

Micro Caddis  # 20 - 22 Tan/Tan

The first two especially. They have both afforded not only prolific numbers, but most of my larger fish. My entomological knowledge is far from staggering and as incomplete as it gets, but these are Hydropsyches/Spotted Sedge as far as I know. The best imitator I have for this is an extended body pattern incorporating micro chenille. However, a simple Deer/Elk Hair pattern will suffice. On both patterns, I use an underwing of Blue Dun CDC. This shows the fish the proper shading from his view. It also allows you to a lighter hair wing than usual to make them easier to see.

As best as I know, my cranefly pattern is a Pennsylvania Tailwater Crane. Pale yellow body, light blue dun wings tied in V shape and extending back past the hook, with a LB dun hackle. There is a staggering difference when this pattern is viewed alongside other Crane patterns I see in others box. Both in size and design. I can't speak to there success, but I never have to worry about having an adequate imitation. This thing is for serious business.

The Micro Caddis. I've covered this fly before on this blog. This is a prolonged hatch that makes fish stupid. Really stupid. Which puts them on my level and subsequently I do well with this hatch. Really not much more to be said I haven't before. They aren't here just yet, but I highly suspect they are just around the corner. They are some 20's flying about but are likely the smaller end of another hatch. You do not want to be without the MC's when they do hit. Unless your a fan of supreme frustration I suppose.

Nature has been kind to us this year. The earlier warm weather accelerated hatches and they have been timed so nicely that I've only watched dead water for limited periods. If I get ever get in any real hours it would be paradise.


VIDEO: River Walk.