Like most the other rivers in the areas we at Chi Wulff cover, the Lamar has hits its summer stride. Flows are still above normal for this time of year (455 cfs as of this morning) but are slowly coming down. Clarity is great and the river is full of hungry fish and loads of bugs.
Terrestrials are becoming a larger part of the trout’s diet. Any hopper, beetle or ant pattern will work great. When summer rolls around everyone seems to focus on hoppers, but don’t overlook beetles and ants. They can be just as, if not more, productive. Hang a dropper off the back of your dry to double your chances. Princes, hare’s ears, san juans, pheasant tails or anything with a bead head are all good choices.
Drakes, both gray and green, and PMDs are still coming off in pretty good numbers all day long. A small parachute PMD will work for that hatch, and something as simple as an Adams will work as a gray drake. Look for some scattered caddis in the evenings as well.
The number of fishermen on the water has not gone down much, so be ready to share the river. However, if you are willing to walk a bit you will find some solitude. Bring your bear spray and deet!
Tags: River - YNP - Lamar
