Jumpingpound

[SilverDoctor]

Decided to hit the Jumpingpond today. Rolled out of bed at 5 packed up the kit and headed out. Hit the Demonstration area. No other people up there. Lots of trees and branches down from the early snow, a few areas where impassable making it necessary to hike in the bush to navigate the creeek. Water was off color and a bit high. Quite a few hatches happening started with small mayflies and BWO’s early and then changing to a solid large Caddis hatch for about 2 hours (about size 12). They where hatching thick, banging on the water and making a commotion. There where also flying ants about.

 

Wish I could report that the trout responded in kind but there was no interest. I only pinched a half dozen small Cutties through the day, that where very fat and sassy, non in typical places. All under 10” but bright and hard fighting, all on dries. No evidence of any Brookies, not sure if they have moved farther up for the spawn. Wanted to see a few of those in their fancy dress spawning colors . Ran into quite a few deer and flushed about a dozen Grouse which where wonderful to see. Another cool bonus was a pair Kingfishers. Watched them for a while as they worked upstream catching minnows in the water and plucking big Caddis out of the air. No Bear sign.

 

Decided to have a look at Powderface so drove up there and parked. Hiked the creek for about an hour and a half with no takers or interest. The hatches seem to subside at about 10, so hiked back to the truck to scarf down a dry sandwich and watch the cattle in the open space for a bit as I packed up. Headed back about 2, nice day out but a lot of bushwacking to keep on the stream. Be carful if you are up there, Banks are starting to dry and crumble from the flood. Lots of cattle on the road from downed fences.

 

[RedBeard]

Sounds like a nice day! Thanks Doc!