Dave Webb
August 17, 2024

Strawberry fishing was good this morning, with a storm blowing in. Surface water temp was 65 F - still summer conditions. Action was fast for cutthroat but we didn't hook anything particularly large. Kokanee are starting to color up as they prepare to spawn and that action is pretty slow. I tried kokanee techniques but caught only cutthroat. Catching was steady until about 10:30 and then it slowed a bit.

The weatherman said a storm was brewing and I got off the water about noon when the wind was picking up and I could see dark clouds and lightning in the distance. Some people were launching as I was loading. I hope they are okay. The wind was very strong and rain was heavy as I drove down the mountain. I love these monsoon thunderstorms when I'm not on the water or in a slot canyon.

I felt a nip in the air as I launched. Conditions will change rapidly during the next few weeks and fishing should be excellent for cutts and rainbows. The kokanee season closes from Sept.
10 through Nov. 30, to give fish a chance to spawn. Other waters also usually fish well as temperatures start to cool. Fall is my favorite time of year and I'll be hiking Powell and Boulder Mountain, between my trips to Strawberry.