History of the Mysis Fishery: Gaffe to Gold Medal
Gather around the fire and let me tell you a fly fishing tale of how mysis ended up feeding fish well downstream from the intended destination.
January 2020
Throughout the west, there are several tailwaters well known for growing large trout. Not just the above average trout, but truly gluttonous fish. How? These hogs are fed to the gills by mysis shrimp that spill downstream out of certain reservoirs. Many anglers flock to these tailwaters for their chance at glory, and these rivers are generally well received by the angling community. But how these mysis ended up feeding tailwater trout is largely a lucky outcome from a widespread management blunder.
As we’re in the depths of winter (not to mention the heart of the mysis season), gather around the fire and let me tell you the tale of how mysis ended up feeding fish well downstream from the intended destination.