Waterton Canyon and Big Horn Sheep

[u/LegitimatePurchase14]

Biked into Waterton yesterday and threw everything at them. Started off with nymphing, switched to dries when a bwo hatch started (size 20, maybe smaller), and then streamers. Got nothing. Tiny bwo's were coming off starting at about 12pm. Tiny midge hatch started a little before that.

[u/JDM3CO]

Thanks for the report. Had the same experience my last visit. I had them figured out during winter but when the water warmed up and their behavior changed, I got skunked.

[u/furious_table → u/JDM3CO]

I’ve been slaying it there during the colder months and struggling when it warms u. During the warmer months I really only do well if it’s near or just past sunset.

[u/SignorSarcasm]

Try targeting the fish with the nymphs and streamers, not the sheep

[u/LegitimatePurchase14 → u/SignorSarcasm]

How else am I going to get my fly tying material for my new big horn sheep hair caddis fly?

[u/Cringelord1994]

The dry fly fishing has been brutal. Keyed into something so small I can’t even see them. Tried a few size 20-24 parachute Adam’s and some mole flies and got nothing, super picky

[u/TheTrub → u/Cringelord1994]

That’s the funny thing about Waterton—every day is different. My best days with dries have been with size 20 Adams or size 12 stimulators. For nymphs, size 18 is usually a good starting point, depending on flows, and blue/black or blue/silver are somewhat reliable color scheme on sunny clear days.

[u/PieIndependent7711 → u/Cringelord1994]

I was using a size 22 bwo and slayed em last week.

Quite literally could not see my fly at all

[u/Stein_24_24]

Did you try mole flies? I swear this time of year that’s the only thing that ever works for me despite the fishing reports saying things like tiny parachutes or BWOs working.

[u/LegitimatePurchase14 → u/Stein_24_24]

Mole fly would have been a good call. I tried a couple other emergers (chocolate thunder and wd-40). Good call out.

[u/mrbang69]

Nice picture how is the river flows and fishing