Hatches, Headwaters, and the Tail End of the Season

Now is definitely a prime time to get out on the local trout lakes. Most lakes are fishing very good right now, with lots of fish in the 2-4 pound range to be caught. My favorite strategies for larger fish are working the shallows at dusk in a float tube - moving along as quietly as possible and slowly working various nymph patterns along the weed edges, and right on top of weedy shoals that have ready access to deeper water. During the day I like to work my flies deeper (12'-15' depth), working them slowly right along the bottom. If you are lucky (and observant), you may catch the fleeting surface action of an afternoon backswimmer "hatch".

Despite all of this, I seem to be drawn more to moving water this year. Headwaters cutthroat streams are generally fishing good and there are still enough hatches trickling off to keep things interesting. This past weekend saw a good emergence of Red Quill Mayflies (Cinygmula sp.) on the higher elevation freestone streams. Admittedly the fishing was a little sparse on the waters we chose to ply, but the intense fall colors, pleasantly warm days, and relaxed company more than made up for the shortage of fish.


Cinygmula sp. (female spinner)



Cinygmula sp. (male spinner)

Cinygmula duns look similar to the spinners but with a more dusky appearance; and they tend to be more important and accessible to the trout than the spinners. The most effective dun patterns are a parachute style fly with an amber or reddish brown body in size #14 to #16, or a cripple emerger in the same colors and sizes (we caught most of our fish on the cripple emerger). The slightly reddish cast of the females is due to the eggs that fill the abdomen - once egg laying is complete, the spent spinner is a transparent empty husk with minimal food value.

Cinygmula sp. (spent female spinner)



Typical headwaters Cinygmula sp. habitat

 Cinygmula nymphs prefer cooler reaches of headwaters streams and rivers.