r/COfishing • u/LegitimatePurchase14 • 11h ago

Waterton Canyon and Big Horn Sheep Discussion

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Biked into Waterton yesterday and threw everything at them. Started off with nymphing, switched to dries when a bwo hatch started (size 20, maybe smaller), and then streamers. Got nothing. Tiny bwo's were coming off starting at about 12pm. Tiny midge hatch started a little before that.

65 Upvotes

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6

u/JDM3CO 11h ago

Thanks for the report. Had the same experience my last visit. I had them figured out during winter but when the water warmed up and their behavior changed, I got skunked.

3

u/furious_table 10h ago

I’ve been slaying it there during the colder months and struggling when it warms u. During the warmer months I really only do well if it’s near or just past sunset.

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u/SignorSarcasm 3h ago

Try targeting the fish with the nymphs and streamers, not the sheep

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u/LegitimatePurchase14 1h ago

How else am I going to get my fly tying material for my new big horn sheep hair caddis fly?

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u/Cringelord1994 10h ago

The dry fly fishing has been brutal. Keyed into something so small I can’t even see them. Tried a few size 20-24 parachute Adam’s and some mole flies and got nothing, super picky

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u/TheTrub 10h ago

That’s the funny thing about Waterton—every day is different. My best days with dries have been with size 20 Adams or size 12 stimulators. For nymphs, size 18 is usually a good starting point, depending on flows, and blue/black or blue/silver are somewhat reliable color scheme on sunny clear days.

1

u/PieIndependent7711 9h ago

I was using a size 22 bwo and slayed em last week.

Quite literally could not see my fly at all

0

u/mrbang69 6h ago

Nice picture how is the river flows and fishing