After a brief uptick in water levels during the middle of last week, area rivers and streams are back down to below-average flows. However, the past weekend’s cooler nights and beautiful days - the best weather of the summer so far - brought a bit of a respite in water temperatures, which managed to dip below 70 degrees Fahrenheit for much of the past week.

However, the low flows will offset the temperature by afternoons and evenings, and will cause trout fishers to adjust their fishing times and get out early in the mornings if they wish to fish our free-flowing rivers and streams.

Fishing with the lighter-color summer flies, such as Sulphurs in sizes #16 - #18, and Light Cahills slightly larger, say sizes #14 - 16 may be productive. Tiny sized Blue-Winged Olives (sizes #18 - #22) are out and about as well as various sizes and colors of Caddis flies.

When stream levels are low as is typical of late July and August, fly-fishers often opt to fish with 7X tippet and midges. I remember first becoming interested in fishing with 7X and tiny flies many years ago. 

It was fascinating to think about fishing with such fine leaders and needing to place the tiny flies so quietly, so as not to disturb the water or the wary fish below, and what a challenge it would be.

Midges are actually ‘in a class of their own’ - they are not just tiny flies, but rather from the Diptera order of insects that have only one pair of wings, unlike mayflies, caddis flies and stoneflies that have two pair of wings. As they are so tiny, sizes #20, #22, #24 etc., midges are an important part of a young trout’s diet, but are equally enticing to adult fish.

When fishing with fine tippets in sizes 7X or even 8X, you’ll need to think ahead and carefully plan your approach. The trout will be focused on the tiny flies but with water levels low and clear, you’ll need to spend more time observing before approaching the water. 

The rises will be almost imperceptible, similar to raindrops or “dimples”on the water. Depending on the section of stream you’re fishing, you may even need to kneel down and cast from shore or very slowly and quietly inch your way into casting range.

You’ll need to cast accurately without disturbing the water before and after, picking up the fly quietly after it’s out of the fish’s range. At times you may lose sight of your fly - if you do see a rise where you imagine your fly to be, set the hook, not moving more than a few inches when doing so. 

With such a fine tippet, you basically only need to raise the rod in order to set the hook so that you don’t break the fly off. You may need to make several attempts until you are accustomed to midge fishing, but the results are rewarding when you are able to succeed in catching fish on these tiny flies!

Mark your calendar for this coming weekend, August 3 and 4. The Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum is hosting Summerfest 2024 - its annual Fly Fishing Festival and Hardy Cup Fly Casting Competition.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. each day. The much-anticipated angling vendor market will be located across the bridge and down on the field along the pond. 

Just past the market, the Hardy Cup Fly Casting Competition will be set up for all those who might like to try their hand at casting a bamboo rod, with some great prizes offered for the winning casters. 

The CFFC Museum and Wulff Gallery will be open each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there will be Catskill Brewery Beer and food sales ongoing as well.

On Saturday there will be a Guest Fly-Tyer in the Museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids’ activities, and live music by Sara Milonovich and Greg Anderson from 1 to 4 p.m., and an author talk with Peter Kaminsky on his new book The Catch of a Lifetime at 2 p.m. 

Sunday will also feature kids’ activities, as well as a presentation by Ed Ostapczuk on Catskill fly-fisher Ed Sens from his book The Wanderings of a Mountain Fly Fisher at 11 a.m., followed by the much-anticipated birthday celebration of Catskill Legend Agnes Van Put, in honor of her 108th Birthday from 1-2 p.m., complete with birthday cake and the opportunity to wish Agnes a very Happy Birthday in person.

Come one, come all, and cross the bridge this weekend for a fabulous festival not to be missed!