Posted on July 11 2026
With Dorotheas on the water from before noon until dark, (yes there was a lull from 4:30 until 6:30, but there were always a few on the water), no one should have had trouble finding rising fish to cast to. Hookups for most anglers are a challenge. If you are getting fish to come up to your fly but refuse it, (no you didn't miss them), you are close, but something just isn't right. Drag is probably the number one cause, but the fish are looking at the fly from no more than an inch or two away when they make their final decision. Do your flies look like the flies floating down the river? Are they too big, (Invarias no longer cut the mustard where the Dorothea hatch is in full bloom), size down and you should do better. Pick up a Dorothea off the water and actually compare it to the flies you are using, most are far too bulky. Trim them down with a scissors or clippers and see if it makes a difference.
The Fishing - For me very good. Have had lots of refusals the last two days but enough fish have found my flies and presentations acceptable enough for them to take a bite and what else can you ask for.
Spent the entire day above Barking Dog, when things slowed down about 4:30, I took a break, got in the car and drove up river to the Red Barn. If you want to know what it looked like out in the pool read Chris's comment in the Molter Wins!!! report page. I was more interested in the distribution of cars. At 5:00pm there were no cars on the road and 11 cars in the Red Barn parking lot, ( I'm going to stop by the farm tomorrow and ask for a 20% cut in the increased revenue. Seriously, I know full well the road might have been full of cars from 11:00 until 4:45, but I've never seen 11 cars parked at the Red Barn and for those of you who did it because it's the right thing to do - A tip of the cap and thanks from everyone who wants to keep access to the pool available to all.
Note to Steve, Steve - I assume since both of you show up on the same report, that there are two different Steves, at 83 I get confused easily, it would help me out if you would stick an initial in after Steve, (assuming your last names don't both start with the same last letter). Thanks.
Angler 119 – Been reading but hesitant to write. Saw your Dave on Monday, July 13th and asked, “where’s your dad?” He said you had just left the shop after sitting there for a bit. I am up in Auburn and visit Rick occasionally to check on local streams. New to central NY. But come September, I feel I need to stay at the TF hotel and do some fishing!
Thanks for your writings. I’m a playwright and keep thinking there’s a story here….
Best,
Mike in Aburn
At age 83 still get revved up when the trout are popping on sulfurs. Seems to me that the best approach is down and across, to minimize “lining” your quarry. And still always a thorough examination. 7X is always touch and go, but improves ones odds methinks. Just gotta be prepared for that bull rush that breaks your heart.
Your advice is SPOT ON , I fished the Red Barn pool the past three weeks now ( I Love the Sulfer hatch, really tests my dry fly skill) dropping from size 14 or 16 to 18 and 20s made all the difference. This past Wed. I went 8 for 13 I had hooked plus another dozen or so refused. 4 Rainbows 4 Browns. 15- 21 in.
Angler119’and Dennis. – Sound like you both had interesting days and some good fishing. Congrats. Angler119- Thanks for the advice. Always appreciated. Ed
More great tips to keep us from leaving the WB with bent noses. Any rattler sightings down in L-ville recently?
I am one of the Steves and will try the initial going forward. Among my comments was the compliment that your “Molter Wins” post reminded me of a Ed Zern or PF McManus story. Love the blog.
A119 thanks for the tips on drag and down sizing. I’ll have to pay more attention to drag. I fished yesterday and netted 1brown trout 13 in. Good hatch but hard to catch. Had a bunch of refusals so I knew I was close to maybe landing more fish. Maybe the fly was dragging??
Thanks again