I have been out a few times lately and the fish seem to be a smaller size on average than what I was catching at the beginning of the season. I am sure it has something to do with the low clear water but I was just wondering if anyone was having the same problem that I am, or maybe a way to help with the problem. I would like to hear your guy’s input.
I’d say it has everyhting to do with low ultra clear water.
The fish are spooky and have probably retreated to there holdings where they feel secure and are probably cruisin at night are in the evenings. Pray for rain and alot of it too!
I’m having the same luck. I did have an experience the other day. Fish were feeding in a deep pool. They would not take anything that I had. I thought it was BWO but then I think there was a sporadic Dark Hendrikson. Anyway I ended up by taking the hackle off my BWO and letting it dead drift into the deep hole. I then slowly stripped it back and bango I hooked a pair of 13 inchers and some other 11 to 12 inchers. After about 9 releases it was all over and I have not caught a fish in that pool the last two times out. Last night the trout were nymphing in the riffle area but would not take any type or size nymph I threw at them. It humbles me that something with a pea sized brain outsmarts me! 
I caught some nice fish early (the largest this year has been 17″), and I usually catch some in the 20’s when I’m specifically streamer fishing.
I’ve been fishing hatches steadily the last few times I’ve been out and haven’t really run into any bruisers. The low and clear water isn’t helpng matters, throw in the fact that we’ve had a long period of drought conditions and the year classes suffer as well. Nymphing has been very tricky due to the low water as well. We need lots of rain to rectify the situation, but I’m not hoping for so much rain that the streams get out of control and high.
Something to share,
I have had a couple real nice fish this Spring…all from big water! Takesome time to walk some bigwater while it’s still wadable, a big fish is waiting.
Numbers aren’t really there, but the size isnice. SO far a 20 1/2 inch and a 22 incher have succumbed to hardware launching!!!
Keep the rods bendin’!!
Jim W 
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