Tim Regan and dry fly dream fish – caught on a #14 Callibaetis.

Still on a bit of a buzz, while punching out this blog. Just this morning we had a young (age 16) beginning fly fisher, Derrick Wheeler from Fairfield, come in and inquire about fly fishing and Lewiston Lake. I always get jazzed when an eager and inquisitive Youngblood expresses interest in fly fishing, especially when they are all ears and ask the right questions. Delivering a fifteen minute verbal fly fishing crash course, selling a copy of “Curtis Creek Manifesto” and thoroughly going over effective flies, methods and productive Lewiston waters, Derrick left stoked and on a mission.

Spring has arrived and some mighty beautiful weather has not only activated some bursting beauty but also warmed TR water temperatures, triggering a variety of bug hatches that has created some exciting late season dry fly fishing for late winter steelhead and occasional brown trout. Mayflies, caddis, crane flies and stones have all made their debut. With unsettled March weather, hatches/generations start-ups have kept many guessing; dominate bug and extended hatch durations one day and brief hatch durations of a mixed bag of aquatics the next; strange and unpredictable at best. Although I’m sure the fish are just as puzzled. However, when it gels, they’ve got the feed bag on. Our Punk Rockers (Callibaetis Mayflies), T-Bones (Calineuria Stoneflies), Cream Dreams (Crain flies) Bullets (Hydropsyche Caddis) have been first choice flies when activity pops.

Be careful what you wish for-backyard blizzard caddis hatch.

While most steelhead are runbacks (kelts), surprisingly, anglers are still scoring on the occasional bright winter natives. Wow, it’s the end of March and fresh fish are still arriving, especially below the South Fork. I can’t help but reflect back to August 22, 2012, when we first encountered the lead edge of the 2012 late summer/fall steelhead runs in the lower gorge. Runs were early as a result of additional water flows allocated down the TR to help prevent lethal high water temperatures in the lower Klamath. Nobody told the early arrivals it was August. Most impressive and highlighting the steelhead runs were the large numbers of native stocks, representing great tributary, secondary and main stem conditions. Not cool and deep concerns is the weird and scary numbers of hatchery “hermaphrodites” that showed up. So, where I’m trying to go with all this? Well, to date, the 2012-2013 TR steelhead runs delivered over seven months of opportunity and a whole heap of a hell of a lot of fun for most anyone who timed it right and devoted the time and effort.

Late March, still arriving & sipping dry flies.

And it ain’t over till it’s over. April 1 is the opening of the Trinity River “Fly Fishing Only” waters (Old Lewiston dam down to Old Lewiston Bridge) Open Season: April 1 through September 15 to fly fishing only, zero limit. Flows will be low (300cfs.) so bring your best low water wizard approach. While the opener is often a favored event and social affair it is also a great trout season primer; great time of year to tune up your trout gear, well before the general trout opener. This two mile stretch represents the upper most heart of the Trinity River and supports a variety of water compositions that compliments most all fly fishing methods. Access is easy, via Hatchery, Old Bridge, and Lewiston Lake and most waters require moderate wading skills. This year, the river is serving up a mixed bag (steelhead runbacks, occasional fresh adults, residual rainbows, brown trout and slug, 800,000 of recently released juvenile out-migrants) that should prove to be fun for all. Need effective local flies and advice? Want some- get some, The Trinity Fly Shop is conveniently located, ten minutes from the “Fly waters”, across One Maple Winery on Lewiston Rd. Open seven days a week, 8-5—Your local Source!

Steve Hopkins and dry fly Loch-leven.

Now, back to where I first started. Just before closing the shop, Derrick Wheeler showed up with a sweet smile of success and solid hand shake. While Derrick and his Mom purchased a few more flies they also showed Patty and I a photo of his first, fly (Mr. Pimp) caught 18” Lewiston rainbow; fly casting in a kayak. Right on Derrick! And that’s how my day started and ended. It really doesn’t get any better! See ya on the opener!!!

Here they come, hatchery outmigrants by the thousands.