So maybe I don't need to fish other streams.

 On Monday in the "Back into Backing" page I said the freestones were back from the doldrums. Are they ever.  Have spent an outstanding week fishing in virtual solitude with just me, the fish and the bugs (lots of them). 

What's hatching?  In short, everything. There are still some little Hendricksons and caddis in the upper WB. The freestones (BR, BE and BK) are in the midst of the big bug explosion. There are march browns, gray foxes, sulfurs, brown drakes, isos, golden stones and green drakes hatching.

Where? That's the big question. Guides float the rivers every day, they know. If you want to be sure of bugs, go where the boats are. It'll be crowded and the fish will be on alert.  If you are a gambler, look for bugs where the pressure is the lightest. Check the streamside rocks for iso husks, look for empty nymph husks floating in the stream, see if the swallows are working over the riffs or if the grackles are standing on streamside rocks.  

When? On cool cloudy days  the bugs can go all day. If it's hot and sunny the action will be concentrated into the last couple of hours of daylight. Didn't leave the camp until six yesterday and still had a great day. Haven't gotten back to the car until after nine all week. 

It's Memorial Day weekend and many have family obligations, if you can get in an evening of fishing it should be worth it. Have never seen so many large fish (15 inches and up) in the river system, and they are all pigging out on the big bug bonanza. 

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