Re: Holdovers and flies.
1.Holdovers: Could that even be possible with all those bait fisherman? I heard there are some large brown trout in that river.
2. What flies: Think !!!
a. Look at the river bottom as the Elk varies from rock, rock and gravel, silt bottom, a stretch of silt/gravel with a lot of weed like growth (could this mean scuds and sowbugs)? Look at what is moving in that water as well as what is flowing down it (top to bottom). What is moving fast side to side? Could there be a few S or C shape creatures floating downstream that might wiggle like a W---? Watch for any surface action/ring like pools/slashes/ tailing/etc.
b. Any minnows/fish like life below the surface in that stream? How bout any minnows jumping in the air? Maybe they are just exercising in the sun?
c. What insect(s) is/are flying close to the water or above it? Are birds flying over the water and eating insects?
d. How bout asking a bait fisherman what he found in the trout's guts he just cleaned? Odds are he found snails and what looks like seaweed.You might even offer to clean one for him/her? This will help you identify.
e. Think. I am not trying to be a smart alec. No, I am honestly trying to help. I remember that river when a buddy of mine went to jail in 76 there. He was fly fishing at a public access place called Garner's Ford late laste all night. I bailed him out.
Best Wishes.
