Strawberry Below Starvation Saturday, July 13, 2019
Date / Time: 7/13/2019 1-4pm
Location: Strawberry Below Starvation
The Characters: KK
Weather: High stratus cloud layer, 80s some T Storms in distance but calm and overcast until later when sun broke. Ideal PMD weather
Water Temp: Likely mid 50s not checked
Water Level / Tide: CUWCD listed at 356 cfs
Water Clarity/Quality: Crystal
Moon Phase: Between first quarter and full (7/16)
Best Flies: Widows Web KK Sally 16
Fishing: Was at family reunion in Altamont for weekend. Spent morning hanging with family and decided to check out Strawberry leaving a bit after noon aiming to be back by 5ish. Duchesne was going strong with Drakes and was my original intention, but it was 30 mins longer and I figured it would be busy and not as tolerant of crowds plus timing wasn’t ideal for drakes and I would have to cover a lot of water making it hard to get back and have much time. Based on that and fact that berry flows were ideal, went there. Typically PMDs are August and this has been a late year, but figured I’d throw droppers if nothing else.
When I got there, only one truck parked at upper lot and some folks at a new house built on lower end. Shockingly deserted for a Saturday with primo conditions! Parked in my middle spot near s curves, walked over and saw a dude so headed upriver. Saw another dude guiding somebody so made sure to get above. Got to water on the long stretch below the 90 bend at spillway confluence. Saw a couple PMDs, but not a ton and didn’t immediately see any risers so rigged dropper to throw at a fish I spotted. While rigging saw one rise but made several casts with dropper for no love and spotted a sipper on the far bank. Immediately ripped off the dropper and threw the sally at the PMD sipper. He inhaled it immediately and ripped me all over and I landed the fish, good one around 20! After that PMDs increased and fish were sipping all along the bank. They all ate the sally with confidence, so stuck with that. Worked up that bank and along the other sticking several great fish. Hatch got going really well with tons of bugs coming off, calm ideal conditions epic! Nobody ever around where I was up there, didn’t see anyone again rest of time I was there. Fished up to the curve and they were up all over. Eventually broke that sally off on a fish and decided to try some PMD stuff since that was mainly what was coming off. Worked a fish on the bank and could not get him. I think he did eat the floating PMD nymph, but not sure. Ultimately gave up on that one, went back to the sally and stuck a few more. Family stuff beckoned and I ended on a ripper solid fatty.
