My wife and I fished the Methow R. Tues-Thurs this week. We've been visiting the Methow Valley summer and winter for 30+ years on family trips and vacations; however, this is the first time we fished for more than a couple of hours. Very hot temps on land (94-99 degrees) and in the river. Hoot owl notices at access points throughout the Valley.
Tuesday we had an excellent float downriver from Carleton with Brett from Sun Mountain 7am-noon, landing several 10-12" rainbows. I missed one big fish and lost another on a breakoff (3x leader, so it was a fair-sized fish). I've talked with Brett many times, it was great to be guided by him. All the bigger fish were in deep pools.
Wednesday we fished until noon, then scouted, dropping pins on Google Maps naming locations for future trips (The Whirlpool; Whispering Nuns trail; Blue Graffiti wall) and cooled off swimming at Pearrygin Lake. Dinner was at the excellent Lupo Brio in Twisp.
Thursday morning at the Carleton pool, my wife lost a good-sized fish that broke off her Chubby and dropper, while I had fun 'practicing' with a new-to-me Spey rig.
After doing a lot of prep with flies, we only used Chubbies with a dropper (the hopper hatch is in full swing), and Pat's Rubber legs with a Perdigon or CDC nymph under an Indicator.
Tuesday we had an excellent float downriver from Carleton with Brett from Sun Mountain 7am-noon, landing several 10-12" rainbows. I missed one big fish and lost another on a breakoff (3x leader, so it was a fair-sized fish). I've talked with Brett many times, it was great to be guided by him. All the bigger fish were in deep pools.
Wednesday we fished until noon, then scouted, dropping pins on Google Maps naming locations for future trips (The Whirlpool; Whispering Nuns trail; Blue Graffiti wall) and cooled off swimming at Pearrygin Lake. Dinner was at the excellent Lupo Brio in Twisp.
Thursday morning at the Carleton pool, my wife lost a good-sized fish that broke off her Chubby and dropper, while I had fun 'practicing' with a new-to-me Spey rig.
After doing a lot of prep with flies, we only used Chubbies with a dropper (the hopper hatch is in full swing), and Pat's Rubber legs with a Perdigon or CDC nymph under an Indicator.