We’re deep into summer, and river temperatures have been climbing for weeks. If you’re practicing catch and release, it’s time to pay closer attention to water temps.
Research from Keep Fish Wet shows trout start struggling much earlier than many anglers realize:
With those numbers in mind, it’s smart to pack a small thermometer and check water temps regularly for the next few weeks.
If your favorite river is getting too warm, try fishing cooler tailwaters below dams, higher elevation streams that stay colder, or chase warm water species like bass. You can also use this as a reason to rest the river until temperatures drop again.
Small adjustments like these help ensure we’re all doing our part to maintain healthy fisheries.
🪰 One Fly to Try This Weekend
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​Damsel Nymph (Size 10–14)​ ​Late summer means damsels and dragonflies are active, and trout know it.
This weekend, consider trying a damsel nymph. Its slender olive or blue profile, subtle flash, and natural swimming action make it a great option, especially near weed beds or slow-moving, vegetation-rich water.
Fish it on a slow retrieve, under a small indicator, or even swinging it across the current. Let me know how it goes!
Grant from FireFly Fishing recently shared an incredible adventure chasing bull trout deep in Idaho’s mountains, and I loved it. In fact, it inspired me to go on my own mountain adventure last Friday. I had an amazing time and can’t wait to share that video with you in a few weeks.
After navigating rough backcountry roads and hiking deep into the wilderness, Grant discovered a creek that seemed almost too perfect. Crystal clear pools, untouched water, and aggressive bull trout stacked in nearly every pocket.