Lakes were stocked and anglers weren't having much luck from the reports. But it picked up slowly as the fish found their hiding spots and so did the fishermen.

We replaced the "NO SWIMMING/NO GAS MOTORS" ON THE NEW BILLBOARD that Forest Service replaced last September AT BIG VIRGINIA. If you see anyone swimming please inform them "nicely" it is NOT allowed because it is drinking water and no gas motors. This also means flat boards with people not wearing full waders. FS

Today the 26th, anything works, even bare hooks, not kidding.

BAIT: Guess what, another week of Mice tails, crawlers and power bait are are doing their job. Pink with white heads are the hot ticket, or orange with white head and brown with red head, rainbow glitter garlic, and yellow glitter powerbait, red powerbait and a shade of green along with pinched crawlers were all on the menu for the week. Oops, also mini marshmallows.

LURES: Lures are on the list but try the or smaller if available; 1/6oz Red/gold Buoyant, Blue/silver and use the right swivel (not a snap swivel), gold Kastmaster or any small SPOON (not a spinning lure), but always try a gold Super Duper 501. Stay on the small size for most lures, the fishing was sensational when it's not this hot. One cast/one fish just about every time if you pick the right lure and spot along the shore. Water has warmed up again so go deep and try your best "junk" to toss that these stubborn trout.

FLY AND BUBBLE: Will work if you practice your best cast and drop your rod tip and stay consistent in your retrieve. Black Elk hair Caddis is still working but has slowed down, #12 black ant, Adams parachute, grey hackle yellow and Griffith's Gnat and any small dark flies. Kind of nice to teach that method and it saves the resource for catch and release. AGAIN, early and late for better results. It has to be a perfect midday to catch on this method. Meaning, great ripple light breeze off and on so they trout are a bit confused as to what's moving the surface, of course a hatch would be very helpful.

FLY RODS: Anglers were having issues with the heat and fishing deep was a partial solution. Early in the morning streamers do well, with some emergers surfacing and dragonflies are here a bit early. A continued hatch of tent wing caddis on Little V, Matuka's, regular and VL specials, and bead head nymphs, AP nymphs and parachute Adams, Black Elk Hair Caddis . Always bring everything  as your arsenal might have a surprise you haven't tried prior. The weather changed and fishing and catching down downhill for those not interested in getting wet (too bad).

Carolyn

Trophy Trout for the week (*pix attached)
Little Virginia/LV, Big Virginia/BV, Trumbull/T*

Miles Garcia Valley Center 3lb1 tag 1191 Lure 8-25 BV
Stee Colurn Fallbrook 2lb5 worm/mallow 8-27 BV