STOCKING AFTER HOURS

June 12, 2003 - Traditionally the state of Massachusetts winds up their stocking program prior to the Memorial Day holiday. Due to high water condition and various other weather related eventualities trucks rolled throughout the first week of June and continued to replace stocks in many of the more popular central district watersheds. The anglers that have remained true to the cause have reaped the benefits as we are finally beginning to receive good reports from both the Quinnie and Stillwater Rivers. For the most part, water levels have receded from their mid-spring levels and remain in peak form. Inconsistent hatches have been the major problem concerning top water zealots as we continue to be in a funk weather-wise. The only advice we would offer central Mass anglers is to expect the unexpected when venturing to local streams.

THE HATCHES
We are in a period when the majority of mayfly hatches will be occurring during the evening hours. At times, it will be difficult to experience success with surface offerings during daylight sessions. Trout will generally get conditioned to do the majority of their top water feeding during twilight and on into darkness. Take this with a grain of salt but traditionally you would expect to encounter march browns (10-12), light cahills 12-14) and BWO's (18-20) during early June and on into the month. As we have mentioned in previous columns, adult caddis have become an even more important food source this season. I wouldn't venture afield without a reliable inventory of both emergers and adults, particularly darker varieties as we progress into late June.

THE BIG D
Sturbridge native, Dennis Alokoski, recently returned from a sojourn to the lower Delaware River basin and experienced some quality fishing for his effort. Dennis spent a day floating the Big D and the balance of the excursion wading it's varied shoreline. Despite elevated water conditions our take on his experience was quite positive. Dorotheas and march browns made up much of the trout's fare during his stay, however, the interesting aspect was the fact that the emerger was more readily accepted than the doodling adult which was often left unharmed. On technical brown trout watersheds such as the Delaware this is often the case.

THE MILLERS
With the torrential rains of Wednesday afternoon the Millers River has once again suffered the consequence of Mother Nature's wrath. The watershed had just begun rounding into shape and anglers were enjoying some of their better wading opportunities of the season. While it is true that one can fish the river successfully during periods of high water, there can be no argument that medium water flows are much preferred.

NEFT AND THE DEERFIELD
New England Fly Tyers president, Bernie McMennemy, reports that over 40 members attended the clubs annual steak cookout held along the banks of the Deerfield River this past weekend. Despite the precipitation water levels were held back throughout the entire day to accommodate TU'S One Fly Competition. While insect hatches were virtually nonexistent members fared well with a variety of nymph and leech patterns.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB