Flows are low for this time of year on a local tailwater river and water clarity, for now at least, is excellent. Usually it is high and off-color in late May. I took advantage of the good river conditions and a forecast that called for cloud cover and minimal wind, hoping for a good hatch of Blue Winged Olives. The hatch was good. Fish were up. I casted emerger patterns mainly size 18: fly body breaking the surface and a wing (white or black depending on surface glare) simply for a bit of flotation at eye of fly and for visibility. A few photos of Rainbow trout.
trout on dries 
You’re back and so is spring. Beautiful trout photography beautiful as well. Inspiring! Nice emerger pattern, I’ve been using the (similarly themed but simpler) Mole Fly which is absolutely deadly on PA small stream wild browns. Note to self: tie the next batch with actual mole fur.
C of B: Yes, Mole is right in line with what I fish….no shuck. Actually, I fished the Mole pattern a lot last year. I just use regular dubbing or thread for body. Great fly and glad you have success with it in Penn State. Challenging trout there so you are doing something right. Check out an angler named Jim for amazing dry fly angling and fly patterns( fishes mole a lot): blog is Jim’s Wanderings…on blogspot….dry flies, rivers, tarpon…….just google that. Follow him on his early summer then fall angling sojourns. He catches cracker trout wherever he goes….
Ok, thanks for dropping in. Good luck this season.
I work part time at the Crowsnest Angler Fly Shop. Touch base if you ever think about planning a trip to SW Alberta.
Bob
Nice bows Bob! Sure was a great weekend to be out. No sun, no worries… take care!
Daniel
Daniel: Yes, it was a good weekend. A good hatch and seeing fish up makes it pretty exciting to be out there. Continued success this season. Flows are up on that tailwater from 30 to 40 but still fishable. Thanks for commenting.
Bob
Just for a little while – back down to 30. Seems like they are anticipating a drought. Want to keep the res full for as long as they can. About 50 coming in and only 30 out. Don’t need an engineering degree to figure out that they might be releasing some more water soon. Especially since they’re at 98% capacity. Keep at it while the fishin is good! Won’t be down for another week yet unfortunately… take care!
Daniel
Yes, opportunity knocks…hope to get out thurs or Fri…will check weather…light be cloudy. Will keep checking flows.
Bob