DELAYED START

April 5, 2003 - Despite what has become a sluggish start to the central New England cold water season, prospects appear to be bright for area fly rodders. As of this writing pockets of snow still remain in many western locations, as does partial ice cover, particularly on smaller impoundments. Freestone and tail water fisheries are still being affected by run-off and have yet to be replenished by area hatcheries. The benefits from our enduring winter will be realized by the fact that, while the season will commence a bit tardy, trout anglers should enjoy a period of splendid water conditions well into the season.

CAPE WAY
Other than "one here, one there" we have yet to entertain any reports of the distinguished variety. All impoundments have received their initial stocking and will continue to be replenished until sometime around Memorial Day. During the 2002 spring season local cold water aficionado's Bob Thunberg, Fred Moriarty and Dave Armstrong enjoyed some pretty spectacular angling while toiling the shores of Goose Pond and Schoolhouse Pond in Chatham. Our tip for early season success… slow and deep. Weighted leech patterns fished in conjunction with aggressively sinking or sink tip lines should get the job done.

WACHUSETT REZZ
One state official confirmed that the Wachusett Reservoir is slated to open the season on Saturday, April 5th. Keep in mind that the tribs (Stillwater and Quinnie) have yet to receive hatchery stocks and the reservoir proper can be quite challenging for long rodders particularly during the early season.

GREATER WORCESTER TU
The Greater Worcester Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host Captain Kevin Coakley and his presentation, "Fly Fishing Wellfleet Harbor" on April 10th at 7:00 PM. Also included in the night's festivities will be Caleb Slater and Todd Richards of Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife. They will discuss the progress of the Quinnie fish ladder and ongoing initiatives surrounding the Nashua River watershed. Get there a little early and take in the fly tying demo featuring Armand Courchaine. The chapter meets routinely at the Marlboro Fish and Game Club.

THE WILLIE
The TMA section of the Willimantic River in Connecticut has been producing some outstanding early season results. Just ask locals, Steve Noel and Dale Mills. On one recent outing the duo combined to dupe many rainbows on a variety of sub-surface and floating patterns. This watershed is typically less effected by the extreme run-off that plagues more substantial central New England rivers.

Good fishing and safe wading,

JB