THE
BLACKIE
May 13, 2003
-
The
Blackstone… that's correct the Blackstone River. With the exception of
a few more adventuresome anglers you commonly don't here that much about
this watershed here in central Massachusetts. Rhode Island native, Tom
Daniels, posts this report on this brawling river.
"Now
for the big river news… the Blackstone has reached fishable levels and
is holding big fish. It's a 35 minute trip from your shop for your
"regulars." Caddis flies are just showing and the surface
activity will increase within days. Sulphurs should follow in a few
weeks."
"I fish
emergers regularly with great success, but it's a little early and wooly
buggers fished deep have been producing well. Be prepared to go to the
reel on these fish. You'll rarely encounter browns or rainbows under 15
inches and rumor has it that the state has stocked some huge rainbows
throughout. The stretch below RI Rt.116 is not heavily fished, except by
regulars. It is wadeable and quite productive with easy access…"
"More and more of the Blacktone in RI is being stocked, but the
season is limited as this is a warm water release situation. So… now
into the end of June is the very best time to hook some big trout in big
water conditions."
"If any
of your folks are considering a trip (a RI non-resident license is a
bargain compared to CT!) have them contact me… I'll be happy to chat
with or accompany them and guarantee to put 'em on some very nice
trout."
If there are any trout zealots that would like to take Tom up on his
most generous offer, he can be contacted via email at tdaniels@dlt.state.ri.us.
We can assure you that you won't be disappointed.
NOT THERE
YET
Bob Thunberg of Worcester and Lee Robinson of Grafton float tubed Goose
and Schoolhouse Ponds in the Chatham area and after a rather lengthy
session reported 9 fish to their credit. Their catch was a medley of
rainbows and browns that came reluctantly to deeply fished wooly
buggers. The duo also witnessed few surface feeders and the absence of
adult diptera, a common food source for impoundment fish. The same time
frame in 2002 yielded much more success with double-digit days
experienced by both anglers. It does seem like conditions are at least a
few weeks in arrears as is the case on the saltwater side of the ledger.
HATCHES
Who would believe were still floating Hendrickson dries in the middle of
May but that seems to be the case. Many anglers are reporting
Hendricksons (14-16), Red Quills (14-16), and BWO'S (16-18) as common
trout fare in central New England as we enter the middle of the month.
Round out that box with a cadre of darker adult caddis patterns in
(14-16) and you should be good to go. Don't forget to tote along an
assortment of mayfly nymphs and caddis pupa for pre-hatch and post-hatch
periods.
Good fishing
and safe wading,
JB
|