Saturday was free fishing day, and the parking lot was full at 6:25am when we arrived at 6:30am. Around 10am the parking lot started to empty out due to the wind but there are some hearty souls still out there trying for one of the DFW trophy's.

Also, the cold snap we had the 14th of August burned the aspens and they turn over (dull side up) and yesterday there were a few patches of very light yellow and it will continue until they are in all yellows.

We replaced the "NO SWIMMING/NO GAS MOTORS" ON THE NEW BILLBOARD that Forest Service replaced last September AT BIG VIRGINIA. If you see anyone swimming please inform them "nicely" it is NOT allowed because it is drinking water and no gas motors. This also means flat boards with people not wearing full waders. FS

BAIT: Guess what, another week of Mice tails, crawlers and power bait are are doing their job. Pink with white heads are the hot ticket, or orange with white head and brown with red head, rainbow glitter garlic, and yellow glitter powerbait, red powerbait and a shade of green along with pinched crawlers were all on the menu for the week. Oops, also mini marshmallows.

LURES: Same lures on the list but try your favorite or smaller if available; 1/6oz Red/gold Buoyant, Blue/silver and use the right swivel (not a snap swivel), gold Kastmaster or any small SPOON (not a spinning lure), but always try a gold Super Duper 501. Stay on the small size for most lures, the fishing was sensational when it's not this hot. One cast/one fish just about every time if you pick the right lure and spot along the shore. Water has warmed up again so go deep and try your best "junk" to toss that these stubborn trout.

FLY AND BUBBLE: Will work if you practice your best cast and drop your rod tip and stay consistent in your retrieve. Dark flies are working but has slowed down, #12 black ant, Adams parachute, grey hackle yellow and Griffith's Gnat and any small dark flies. Kind of nice to teach that method and it saves the resource for catch and release. AGAIN, early and late for better results. It has to be a perfect midday to catch on this method. Meaning, great ripple light breeze off and on so they trout are a bit confused as to what's moving the surface, of course a hatch would be very helpful.

FLY RODS: Anglers were having issues with the heat and fishing deep was a partial solution. Early in the morning streamers do well, with some emergers surfacing and dragonflies are here a bit early. A continued hatch of tent wing caddis on Little V, Matuka's, regular and VL specials, and bead head nymphs, AP nymphs and parachute Adams, Black Elk Hair Caddis . Always bring everything  as your arsenal might have a surprise you haven't tried prior. The weather changed and fishing and catching down downhill for those not interested in getting wet (too bad).

Carolyn