The water level is low in the south marsh with levels that haven’t been this low since 2016.  Weed growth is thick, but boats with electric motors can still get around the main channels as gas motors are helping to chop up some of the more popular paths through the marsh.  With surface water temperatures in the mid 70’s the bass bite at Ruby Lake NWR continues to be good, though it is taking approximately 15 to 20 bass to catch a keeper.  Minimum keeper size is 10 inches.  Most of the keepers are in the 10-12-inch size due to recent drouths and growth cycle due to 12 years of low water.  Many anglers report catching as many as 50 to 60 bass days per angler but limits of 10 bass per angler are hard to come by.  Soft plastic grubs in blue, black or purple seemed to work the best.  Fishing conditions in the collection ditch have been fair to good recently for 13 to 18-inch trout depending upon the day and location. Dry flies have been working well as hoppers are out and trout are keying on them.  Hoppers, yellow stimulators and yellow elk hair caddis have all produced fish.  Damselflies are hatching as well so both damsel dries and nymphs are also working.  Chironomid patterns such as zebra midges, Yankee buzzers, chromies and ice cream cones will catch a few fish. Other flies such as leech patterns, balanced leeches, crystal buggers, #14-16 hare’s ears, and #16-18 PT nymphs fished under an indicator are recommended. Like the south marsh, the weeds are thick in place in the collection ditch.  Fishing subsurface flies is limited to those areas of the ditch that are deeper and have less vegetative growth. Spin anglers should be using small spinners in black or olive with contrasting yellow or red colors as well as small minnow imitations.  The collection ditch is artificial lures only, no bait.