[Camren]

Hello

I'm in a similar scenario as you... new to the river and fly fishing for smallies out of a kayak.

I'm obsessed with researching conditions and patterning them.

The problem I find with the main stem, in my limited experience, is that there are so many variables it really takes time on the river to gauge what flow rate or level is good, bad, or indifferent.

For example, recently a flow gauge not too far up river from my float was almost 50% lower than average. There was one section of my float that was creeping up on too fast for my comfort level and I'm an experienced kayaker.

Another example is that same gauge was more then double its average. I was fishing much closer to it on this particular trip and it was a very easy paddle/fish.

My best advice is to go and check out some spots by wade fishing (if you haven't already) and make note of the flow of the closest gauge. This will give you a base line.

Tight lines and good luck!