I hear ya. My experience on the Wind was similar. There were lots of fish moving thru the lower river (as seen in your first picture) on Sunday, May 13. They really started moving on Monday, May 14 and the catches were spectacular, from what I've heard. The area also got alot of rain on Monday. I got there on Tuesday, May 15 and picked up two nice fresh fish in the 20lb range (drifting eggs). For whatever reason, the float anglers were doing much better than the drifters. Lots of fish were taken out that day. The run dropped off considerably on Wednesday. There were some more fish picked up in the lower river during the rest of the week and the weekend but it was pretty much over in three days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday). My previous experience indicates the fish usually move thru the lower river over the course of a week or two. This year was different. The heavy rain on Monday was probably the reason.

I avoid fishing the canyon for reasons outlined. The hike is a killer and the fishing is difficult or impossible. The Wind is done for me this year. But it's been a great year so far so I can't complain.