Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Forecast 7/3/2023

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Andy brings us the fishing forecast this week. The 10 day forecast is showing a chance of rain and afternoon thunderstorm just about every day. Temps are warming up with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 60's. Mountain brook trout fishing will be good in drainages that continue to get rainfall. This is a good time of year to grab a stream thermometer to check water temps especially on hot afternoons. If water temps hit the upper 60's and low 70's it will be time to give the trout fishing a break. We are hopeful that the rain in the forecast will keep the streams full and cool over the next few months. Watch the radar and USGS gauges to stay updated on where you might find the best water flows in the mountains. Little yellow stones, ants, and beetles will be excellent dry fly patterns for the summer season. On the spring creeks Japanese beetles are out in full force and fish are tuning into them. Tricos hatches can be thick early in the morning hours. Hoppers will be becoming more important as we progress through July and into August. Dry dropper rigs are going to important all day on the spring creeks. If you hit a spring creek after a storm and it is running dirty do not be discouraged. Break out the big streamers as that action can produce some of the best fishing of the year. The summer smallmouth fishing is in full swing. Water levels can rise and drop pretty dramatically if we continue to get big afternoon storms. It is very important to not only monitor the USGS gauges on the river you look to fish but also any tributaries up stream of where you might fish. Massive spikes in water flows could hit a tributary and not show up in the river you are fishing until the next day. Topwater fishing is generally good through summer. But be sure to have some baitfish, crayfish, and hellgrammite flies ready to fish stained water as well. Carp should be active and easier to target on days with rising or cloudy water. Musky fishing will be on hold for a while as water temps continue to warm. There are a lot of great options right now so take advantage of the fishing while we have some water!

BEST SMALLMOUTH FLIES THIS WEEK:

Umpqua Swimming Frog

Foam Slice Frog

Deer Hair Poppers

Brammer Seasoned Geezer

Clousers

Belly Scratcher Minnow

Jiggy Fat Minnow