Lake Davis Fly Fishing Report

Jon Baiocchi, Baiocchi Troutfitters

Finally some cold weather has moved in, and it has dropped air temperatures to freezing in the mornings. With ice on the boat cover before rolling out for another trip, it’s a good sign conditions are changing for the better, and this will really help for the bite to get stronger. Water temps have dipped a bit too, 49 in the morning rising to 55 in the late afternoon. I’ve noticed some changes in the trout’s behavior in the last few days; they’re more concentrated in the upper water column 1-3 feet down, with more of them in the skinny water. Today I saw more risers than I have in the last few weeks. When you don’t mark fish in open water on the sonar it’s a good bet they are in the shallower water 1-5 feet down. One tip to share is once water temps go below 50, fish will most likely be in shallows as it warms up quicker, especially areas with dark muddy bottoms that attract solar radiation. When that scenario happens, the trout like to be there all day as there is plenty of food, and the comfort level is just right.

 Keys to bigger numbers in the net are to cover vast amounts of water. Also if you’re not getting tugs; move to a different location. Many fish hooked have been caught fishing right under the surface in water depths of 18-40 feet of water off the island, don’t be afraid to try new and different areas and tactics. Effective flies have been Jay Fair stripping flies in fiery brown with copper flash, burnt orange wiggle tails, small dark olive damsels, and black, brown and purple Mahalo midges. Catch rates are a little better than last week, today my dudes hooked double digits, with many missed strikes. But again the key was to cover water where the rainbows are concentrated at. All styles of presentations are working, so pick the one you have confidence in, or enjoy, and run it. Once you find them, hammer them until the action wanes.

Rain and snow is forecasted for Friday through Saturday, this should help the fishing, but even more important, dress and be prepared for conditions. Good luck out there at Lake Davis, The shorelines are glowing right now with fall color, and so gorgeous, that alone is worth a trip up!