BETTER
LATE THAN NEVER!
April
15, 2002 -
Please
excuse us for being a bit tardy with our initial report of the 2002 cold
water season. Could it be that the premature sweet water-angling season
has taken us totally by surprise? Hearken back to last year for a
moment. The month of April reined snow showers and persistent
cloudbursts, high and dirty water conditions prevailed throughout most
of our freestones offering nothing in the way of suitable opportunities
for river fishing. Trout stocking in central Mass commenced toward the
end of March and was limited to a few impoundments. In essence, it was
just another typical New England springtime.
This year, a mild
winter and the lack of any substantial rainfall has allowed all
Massachusetts hatchery’s to unburdened themselves of trout inventories
and conclude the better part of the stocking program in record fashion.
Hatch intervals of traditional insects (mayflies, caddis and stones)
have been dramatically altered and rumor has it that the Pennsylvania
trout season will actually open after the legendary Hendrickson/Red
Quill hatch has already concluded, an episode that has many PA tackle
purveyors bewildered. These circumstances have rewarded ambitious fly
anglers with some uncommonly good early season trouting, particularly in
streams and rivers.
SWIFT RIVER
When state officials begin using jargon like, “closed until further
notice” and “not in the foreseeable future” to describe the
possibility of reopening the FFO section of the Swift north of the Rt. 9
bridge, all hope certainly is lost. If I recall the 5% Mass sales tax
was just a “temporary” solution to our budgetary dilemma. There are
still populations of fish residing in the southern sector, at least
enough to make for interesting fishing. Winter caddis (18)(actually a
stonefly), BWO’s (20-24) and midge emergers (20-14) should be enough
fodder to keep you busy. Keep in mind that this section has no special
regs until July 1st and is a likely target for ‘catch and
kill’ and ‘kill and release’ ilk so heads up.
CONNECTICUT
Yes it’s true. Hendrickson’s (14) and Red Quills (16) are in
full regalia on the Farmington and Willie. Keep in mind you will fare
much better with compadun, no-hackle and parachute style imitations when
angling to these wily feeders. The hatch instigates sometime around
early afternoon and proceeds to intensify for an hour or so. It is not
uncommon to experience your most fruitful periods during pre and post
hatch when random individuals can be located doodling on the surface and
your not in competition with a bizillion other naturals. Dead drifting
pheasant tail nymphs (14-16) tied conventionally or with a bead can fill
hatchless periods. For now, you must remain within the TMA until the
official opening of the season on April 20th.
QUINNIE
Gordon Quills (12), Hendrickson (14) and Red Quill (16) are also the
order of the day on this watershed. Great reports of spectacular dry fly
fishing emanating from river regs. Near perfect water conditions and
blizzard mayfly hatches seem a bit out of place for the middle of April,
but that’s the short of it.
MILLER’S
After a brief period of high water, the Millers has settled and is
offering fly anglers near peak conditions. Not noted for it’s
abundance of dramatic mayfly hatches (excluding bwo’s), black and
olive wooly buggers (8-10), or red squirrel hair nymphs (10-12), drifted
through deeper holes should get some attention. Try caddis adults (hemingway,
henryville, or elk hair) in size 14 thru 18 to get the attention of
surface feeders.
Good fishing and safe
wading,
JB
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