Current River Conditions: Fishing continues to be fair to good over the past ten days. We saw an amazing BWO hatch this week during Saturday's stormy weather. Best action happens in the AM hours between 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM. The afternoon angling can be slow. Expect better afternoon fly fishing with cooler temperatures. Insect hatches are made up of #16 dark caddis that come off in the mornings, #18 baetis occur in the mornings and seem to be in the mix through the day. And of course, Blue Wing Olives can happen any day, but especially on cool, cloudy, wet days. The rainbows and browns all eat small #18-20 midge nymph patterns. Dry fly fishing can be good when you find fish rising. Enjoy!

Always have various midge dries and nymphs!!! A great top water midge pattern is the Midge Hanger. Don't even try to see it when presented. Just look for a rise and lift. Last but far from least, today is a good day to start searching the waters of Hat Creek with October Caddis Nymphs. This cased caddis is on the move right now, getting ready to hatch in about two to three weeks. Okay?

The Fly Shop's?? Tips: Best hatches occur in the morning and then again near sunset. Get on the water early, before 9:00 AM! Be on the look-out for rainbows and brown trout rising near the edges of the river for best chance at a dry-fly hook-up. As we close in on October, expect October Caddis hatches at sundown.

A great option that often produces some of the very best Hat Creek "fish stories" is to fish #6-8 leeches, like Zack's Swimming Leech and buggers like Fox's Peacock Buggers near sunset.

Look for rising fish along the flats below the Power House #2 riffle in the early AM and very last light. For the best presentation, drift your D&D Cripple down and across to rising fish. For a fun challenge, try catching Hat Creek trout on as many tactics as you can: small indicators with nymphs, swinging wet flies and/or streamers, and, of course, with a well-presented dry fly. The Powerhouse #2 Riffle is one of the best spots on the creek, but also one of the most popular. Anglers seeking a real challenge should sight-cast to trout in the fabled "carbon flats" section, and those looking for solace can hike into the freestone section just above Lake Britton. 5wt rods are perfect. Have an extra spool loaded with a Scientific Anglers Wet Tip Clear Fly Line.

Suggested Fly Patterns:

Dry Flies:
• Galloup's Cripples PMD/BWO
• Para Extended Body PMD/BWO
• Midge Hanger
• Last Chance Cripple #14-22
• Normans Loop Wing BWO & PMD
• Parachute Adams #14-18
• Spotlight Caddis Emerger Olive #16
• Mercer's Missing Link #16-18

Nymphs/Wet Flies:
• Zack's's October Caddis
• WD-40 (Any)
• Black Zebra Midge #18-20
• Hogan's S&M #16 Brown
• Fox's Wire Body Beeottis (Any)
• Tungsten Jig PT
• Posse Bugger #14
• Glass-Bead Micro May-Black or Olive
• Mercer's Gidget Brown or Olive
• Pat's Brown Rubber Legs #6-8
• GB Half-Flashback PT #14-20
• Burk's Crystal HBI
• Zack's Pseudo May #16-18 (Any)

Streamers/Leeches:
• Zack's Zugger's Yellow/Brown
• Fox's Peacock Buggers #8
• Zack's Swimming Leech Various
• Fox's Cone Bugger Rust
• Double Bunny
• Beaded Mini Leech Olive

Fly Fishing Gear:
• TFS Waterproof Swingleaf Nymph Fly Box
• Simms?? G4 Pro Wader
• The Fly Shop's?? Stocking-foot Chest Waders
• Wading Boots
• Get Buff