Posted on July 04 2026
Jean has left me, again. Dropped her off at the airport at 8:30 this morning, picked up a few items at BJ's and headed for Deposit to spar with the fish eating Dorotheas. Arrived in Deposit and borrowed a shelf in the Troutfitter fridge, (who says this job doesn't have perks?), to keep the perishables out of the hot sun while I was fishing.
Got in the water with the hope of fishing a place I haven't been able to fish, (boats and/or wade fishermen have been ensconced there), since Hendricksons in the first week of May. Walked down the trail, stepped out into the water and a fishermen appeared below me, in my intended spot, and a second one above me, (far enough to give me room to fish). Waded out and saw a riser on the far bank, (isn't that where all fish are?). The Dorotheas were hatching and several fish were in the soft water along the bank eating the duns. Played with those fish for an hour and a half, got a half dozen refusals, twice my fly was floating within an inch from the fly the fish ate. Ended up hooking and landing three really nice browns. You read about the price of tickets to the World Cup, me? My hour and a half was priceless.
Finally as the hatch was winding down and the angler below me left, I waded down to the "Hot Spot", which was full of fish. Hooked several in about an hour. Had an angler appear less than 30 feet from me, literally out of no where, and start casting at fish. He somehow detected that I wasn't happy with his intrusion and wandered upstream. The place can be fished by two, if they are friends. I never go there if someone is already there, but everyone has a right to fish. If you come upon an angler in a place you want to fish, and you feel that there is plenty of room for two. There are two questions you should ask. Do you mind if I join you? and, Where can I fish without bothering you? The intruder asked if I needed help landing my fish.
Waited out the scattered t-storms and fished in the fog for about an hour before dark in the lower section of the WB, not a lot of bugs or fish up, but got three two year old rainbows to eat my offerings to top off what turned out to be a really good day..
I am contemplating a stop a Deposit after attending indoctrination at the US Merchant Marine Academy on July 9. The pulsing of the flows was going to stop me until I read your report. Hoping to get there early evening on Thursday and fish Friday as well. Maybe I’ll see you? Great advice on river etiquette.
A119,
Congrats on a great day.
Happy 4th of July everyone.
God Bless America!
Angler119’-Glad to hear you had a really good day. Congratulations.Enjoy the weekend. Happy 4th of July to All. Ed
On your comment regarding fish on the opposite bank….. It’s amazing to me how many anglers are standing in the very water that the biggest fish want to feed in. Big fish want to eat in shallow water with a specific current speed. Overhead cover is a factor, but once these hatches get going they will move to the most calorically efficient feeding lane regardless, which is often right wear some people in rubber pants insist on standing. Why? Because early in the hatch they saw the small fish under the tree rise. So they walk over the best feeding lanes to get to them.
Try it sometime, just sit on the bank and let it all happen with the water undisturbed.
I was also planning to come up early next week, but now weather channel is predicting 1.5" of rain Monday through early Tuesday.
If its a gentle rain, maybe No big impact, but I"m concerned that it will pack everybody into the sulphur zone.
Any opinions?
A119 congrats on a good day on the river. I think it’s good you give us all reminders of proper etiquette on the river. I’ll be down Monday to try my luck. I’ll report.
HAPPY 4TH to All!!!!!!