Shadow of the Hex

Fishing continues to be great.. but I'm pretty sure the grand finale has played out. Hex bugs were quite spotty and other than a few spinners I saw none. No tears to be shed here though, the fish were still on the grab in a BIG way. So many people insist on fishing the giant flies.. even when it's counter productive. I've always been baffled why anyone would lob a 1.5" MONSTA leashed up with 0x on top of a good fish feeding in daylight on #18 - #12 spentwings. To each their own I guess.. Personally, I'd rather take a good fish on a small fly anyday of the week. The scarcness of giants worked towards that means, getting the fish looking up, but not so totally glutted that they became jaded. Just snappy and willing to take a well presented fly. I've threatend for years to ignore the Hex season and all the infectious energy it brings [admittedly, with good reason] There are other sections of river, and other rivers, with none on them.. and by default no other anglers either. I never tied a Hex pattern on this season. They say theres a first time for everything.

John with a good fish. Bear in mind he's 6'4" with large hands.

Pic two: John plying his favorite summer tactic, dark thirty and big waking flies.























This guy put a bend in the rod in a big way. Sucked down my favorite mid-June pattern with zero hesitation on second shot.