To go or not to go?

Morning olives on the UE and BR have been the most consistent hatch this summer, save for the sulfurs in the sulfur zone. The olives don't come off in big numbers but the fish are looking for them. Always a good thing for dry fly guys/gals. Drove over to the UE where I have enjoyed several good morning olive hatches. The river was in fog but you could see well enough to make out the occasional fish rising to sip something off the surface. One thing for sure, they weren't sipping olives. There just weren't any. Threw at rising fish (mostly one and doners) for almost three hours and got but five to eat (landed three). Drove back to camp and occupied myself until about 5:00 when I went out again.

Tried three places, all above Hale Eddy and never saw a good fish rise until after 8:15. If you want/need to work on your casting/fly presentation (and who doesn't?) fish the daytime sulfurs up around Deposit. There are loads of yearlings (now 8.5 /9.5 inches) and they aren't easy. They demand a drag free float right down their feeding lane. If you come, make sure you bring a flashlight and stay until dark. If you get back to the car before 8:40, you left too soon. The older fish are waiting until well after sunset to feed. In the poor light they can be fooled. Be prepared for unimaginable snafoos, they will happen, but the chance of hooking a big one isn't bad.

If you are only interested in fishing for trophy fish the question becomes; Are the chances of success worth the number of hours spent driving? Only you can answer that one. My camp is in Lordville, for me the answer is yes.

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