SO NOW WHAT?
April
28, 2002 -
In the midst of what has
been one of the most prolific and earliest Hendrickson/Red Quill hatches
in recent memory, Mother Nature has taken it upon herself to interrupt
the proceedings with an incursion of weather reminiscent of early
December rather than late April. This has left central New England
Anglers wondering what to expect on the backside of this unfortunate
turn of events. While we do expect the hatch to continue for a week or
so (into early May), we look for it to loose momentum and wane. Caddis
(#14-#16) should become more consequential as we enter in early May
along with Blue Wing Olives (#18-#22).
WESTFIELD RIVER
I chatted with Sturbridge resident Dennis Alokoski and he recounted a
recent trip to the Chesterfield Gorge area of the Westfield. Dennis, a
dry fly zealot by choice, was able to deceive numerous brook trout while
employing subsurface offerings but witnessed no surface activity or
definitive hatch. This is so typical of this watershed particularly
during the early season. When visiting the river be forewarned that
nymphs (darker stones #8-#10), and conventional bead head patterns
deliberately fished through glides and riffles will serve you well.
Round out your box with a streamer or two (black nosed dace, olive
matuka, black zonker) and a few wooly buggers and you should be good to
go.
WILLIE
Jack Powers stopped by to be fitted for a new pair of Simms breathables
and filled us in on the inconsistency he has been experiencing on the
Willimantic River in Connecticut. The off-again on-again attitude the
watershed has been experiencing seems to coincide with the unpredictable
weather pattern. Warmer days find the angler wallowing amidst a blizzard
Hendrickson/Red Quill hatch while the cooler climes we have been
experiencing lately leave him struggling to locate a few fish. This
watershed typically yields some of the most impressive early season
mayfly hatches of central New England and we anticipate this pattern to
resume once the weather stabilizes.
 QUABBIN
Anglers that enjoy pursuing the inhabitants of the Quabbin Reservoir
with trolled flies are enjoying an extraordinary early season. Bob Shay
of Charlton, somewhat of a fixture on "The Big Lady" has had
consistent success with an array of florescent marabou streamers (#6-#8)
while fishing out of the gate 8 section of the impoundment. The fish
seem to be located anywhere from 15-20 feet and will aggressively pursue
an expeditiously trolled fly. Seems like the state has introduced a more
than healthy population of rainbow trout into the reservoir to accompany
the landlocks and lakers that usually make up the general fare.
QUINNIE
Next time you run into Craig Peterson of Barre query him concerning the
extraordinary day he experienced while exploring the Cable Pool section
of the Quinapoxet River in Holden. Craig, a recent convert to the sport,
drew his attention away from the more obvious section of the river, and
concentrated his efforts to a more remote piece of water. His reward was
a very impressive 10-12 fish day.
Good fishing and safe wading,
JB
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