We got back yesterday from Stratford and the Grand River. I fished Monday evening, Tuesday morning then off to 5 plays at Stratford then back Thursday PM and Friday AM. I managed to land 6 browns in the Lower Grand. I fish there because there are a couple of spots you can park the motorhome and fish closeby. Also it is more natural there with no houses and fewer fishermen. Most of the action was right at dark and each evening just as the sun is going down or in the morning just before sunrise the air fills with a hatch. One morning it was a BWO hatch but caught nothing. The other hatches were small brown sedge or caddis. On Monday evening I noticed a few cahills. Being prepared I put one on as the lead fly and caught a couple in the 12-14"range and yes, both at the same time: one on the cahill and the other on a BWO, then none.
Next morning, noticing the brown caddis hatch but not having any just like that I kept the BWO and cahill on. Caught two more on the light cahill spinner. Between plays in Stratford I made up my own version of a small brown caddis which proved productive when we returned.
If you are going to the Grand be prepared to wait it out and/or get up real early. Fishers that left too soon or arrived too late went away disappointed, as I have several times before. Water temps are getting close to dangerous. 21C in the AM and 21.5C in the evenings. I try not to take the fish out of the water in removing the hook. Anyone here know the cutoff temp for stocked browns or any fish for that matter? I know studies have been made for wild fish but have any been made for the stockers which I believe have more tolerance?
bobfly
