Daily Report

On Tuesday the temperature reached into the mid 30's along with scattered wet snow showers and very little accumulation. Over the next several days the mild conditions are expected to continue along with a mix of precipitation. The release from the dam has been 500cfs and the Pineville gauge has been around 688cfs. The upper end of the river between Altmar and Pineville is where the majority of anglers are going on a daily basis. Yesterday the few anglers we spoke with reported getting into some fish in the upper end of the river in Altmar.  With the recent drop in water level look for fish to be holding in and around the deeper holes and larger runs which are the normal winter holding areas. For those anglers who are fly fishing, dead drifting with nymphs, indicator fishing with egg patterns or swinging streamers with sink tips or sinking leaders have all produced results. For those anglers who are bottom bouncing or float fishing, egg sacs, beads, marabou jigs and pink worms have all been productive. 

Suggested patterns;

Egg patterns: Steelie omelette in size 10, Estaz eggs in chart, blue, purple, size 10. Glo-bugs in chart, pink, orange, size 10. Sucker spawn in chart, pink, blue, size 6.

Nymphs: Prince nymphs in size 10, Hare's ear in size 10, Pheasant tails in size 10, Flashback nymphs in size 10, Wiggle stones in size 10, Steelhead hammer in size 12, Beadhead stones in size 10. Rusher nymphs in size 10. 

Streamers: Black or purple egg sucking leeches in size 6. Woolly buggers in black, olive, brown, white, size 6. Fish skull zonkers in black, white, olive size 6.