Stonefly Madness on the Copper River

The stonefly hatch is in full swing on our local Copper River this week.  Towards the end of June the stoneflies begin to migrate from the bottom of the river towards the banks to hatch as adults.  These big bugs provide some of the most exciting dry fly fishing of the season.  

Madam X dry fly and a nice rainbow

Some of our guests will try to time this hatch during their stay at Rainbow River Lodge.  But year to year this hatch will vary from the middle of June to the first week in July.  Typically the water temps will dictate when the stoneflies begin to hatch into adults.  Having warmer water temps in the lower river the hatch will start low and work its way upstream.  The stonefly hatch is short lived, maybe stretching over a 10-12 day period.  

Stonefly shuck

The stones in the Copper River range from a size 8-10.  They have a brownish hue and are very clumsy on the water.  While fishing these big bugs the only thing you need to focus on is getting your fly on the water.  You can dead drift, skate, fish it drowned, or even add a slight twitch during your drift to trigger these big rainbow trout to explode on you imitation.

Female stonefly with egg sack

We are very fortunate to have the Copper River out our back door.  The Copper is a unique fishery with a very healthy insect population.  Caddis, mayflies, midges, and stoneflies all help sustain these rainbows throughout the summer months.   A quick jet boat across the lake and within minutes you are on
Alaska's first designated fly fishing only stream filled with wild rainbow trout.

Adult Stonefly

Stonefly Nymph

 Simulator Chew Toy dry fly

Hummer Skawla dry fly

Fry Fishing for Alaska Rainbows

Fry Fishing 101

In the first three to four weeks of our season the rainbow trout in our local rivers key in on thousands of migrating sockeye fry as they work their out of the river systems into the lakes.  During this time the trout ambush and gorge themselves on fry to help regain their strength after surviving a long harsh winter and spawning in the spring.  

  

When searching for rainbow trout feeding on fry,  look for hard boils on the surface of the water. Sometimes the trout will thrash or come clear out of the water to take a fry.  We focus on fishing slower moving transition  water with small eddies and sloughs off the main current.  The migrating fry will escape into these areas to rest during heavier spring flows.   As the weeks progress the fry will gradually grow bigger and you will need to match the size of the fry in the river system.     

For our guides and clients here at RRL,  it's one of our favorite ways to target these big rainbows in the springtime.  We enjoy it because most of our fishing is done with a floating line, and unweighted flies.  The takes can be violent and unforgettable!  

Sockeye Fry near a Cut Bank

Rainy's Sockeye Fry

Thunder Creek

Little Mc Fry

Regurgitated Fry from a Rainbows Mouth

Thunder Creek

Little Mc Fry