(2004) SEASON OPENER

April 18, 2004 - Somehow I've never consider the trout season fully underway until the traditional opening, formally the third Saturday of April. While anglers have been doing, what anglers normally do for a few weeks now, we've been hard pressed to field many eminent success stories regarding local rivers and streams. As is always the case during early spring, high flows and water temperatures in the 40-degree range have impaired many fly anglers' efforts. While virtually every watershed has received its initial allotment of trout, the recent unsettled weather pattern has added to the dilemma and we don't see much improvement until water levels subside a bit.

HATCHES
The predictable early black stonefly (18-16) has made its appearance right on schedule. When air temperature cooperates, swarms of these delicate critters can be witnessed flitting just above water level. In a week's time we would expect to experience the first Hendrickson (14) - red quill (16) emergence of the season. Depending on the watershed, this can be an intense event that is fervently adorned by dry fly zealots. Hatches of this insect usually commence during early afternoon and get progressively later during its 10-14 day cycle. Dead drifted nymphs (Hendrickson (12), GR hare's ear (12) and Pheasant Tail (14)) are very effective during pre and post hatch periods.

INDUSTRY STATS
As long as I can remember the debate has raged concerning the number of anglers we are encountering on local rivers and impoundments. While we all have our own theories why trends exist, the only factual data available to accurately track the number of participants is licenses sold. Annually the U.S. Department of the Interior releases a composite report and makes it available to the general public. While this report is traditionally a year in arrears, it does offer some grist for the mill. As reported in December 2003:

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB