Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of guiding a charming family on the upper Big T. I must admit I was a little concerned because of the recent drop in flow from Olympia Dam from 20-14cfs. Six cfs may not sound like much, but at this level that was about 25%. Those conditions require very small stuff and a methodical approach. My guests were 15 and 10 years old. The ten year old had never fly fished. I was expecting a challenging day. Well it was, and they were up to the challenge.

We arrived around 10am before the heavy crowd. The water temperature was around 38 degrees with a bright sun. Marsh was aleady at the gauging station netting fish for his guest. We walked down to the log hole. I had told them on the way up that the only thing I was guaranteeing was that they would see fish. We stood on the south bank below the log looking into the long slick. You could see every fish. You could even tell which one was a Brown or a Bow. It was a massive pod ... too many to count. The young men were very excited. I took some time pointing out some trout behavior before letting them cast. The fish at the head of the pool were already feeding on the surface. Whereas the trout in the tail were nearly motionless on and on the bottom. I set up the older brother with a #22 CDC Puff Midge followed by a #28 midge emerger; all on 7X using a 2 weight rod. I explained to him to get used to the rod and refine his cast at the tail of the pool where there was no action. Then, once comfortable, move up to where they are feeding; one cast at a time, with no false casting. Then, I took his younger brother to the cement bend hole. His rig was two-fly nymph using #22 Zebra followed by #24 UV Emerger. A couple of casting lessons. A couple of practice casts and a 13 inch Bow takes the UV. First fish for this red head on a fly rod.

I went back to the older brother who reported that he was getting lots of refusals and missed a couple of takes. I stood in the water with him to watch his technique. There was nothing wrong with it. Just too hard to see the flies and yes, the trout were being picky. It was amazing to see trought 1.5 yards away take surface food and not be able to see the actual insect. Changed the second fly to a Brook's Sprout and went back to check on younger brother. He was a quick learner and was either hooking fish or catching them. I pumped the stomach of one of the fatter bows; all midge pupa (#30) except for one with wings. He had caught one on the Zebra, but mostly on the UV. Back to the older brother. He had scored with the Brooks's Sprout, but it was still very tough to see. Also, the trout in the tail had become active. Water temperature was up to 40 degrees. I put the UV on older brother's rig as the second fly and he had more, and larger, hook ups.

I can't say enough about these boys patience and focus. It was significant reason for the success of the day. I know we are all anxious for spring to arrive so we can start fishing with flies we can see, but there's a lot that can be learned when you can see every fish and watch every move. Stay patient. Stay focused. It works.

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