RETOOLING TIME September 16, 2004 - Stocking trunks will begin to roll sometime around the end of the month replenishing many of the state's ponds and major watersheds. The entire operation should commence during the first week of October provided water temperatures cooperate. As is the custom, we should receive the entire list of waters that will receive fish after stocking has been completed. With the adequate water table and moderate weather we have enjoyed during the latter part of summer we would expect that many central Massachusetts rivers would receive a healthy dose of fresh residents. During the previous week we have fielded many calls from anglers trying to decipher the hatches they have been engaging on the Westfield River and other watersheds. Chances are you are encountering a tiny BWO (#22-#28) that is a common occurrence from the end of September until sometime in October (and even beyond). It is your obligation to determine at which stage of emergence that is the focus of attention. It is quite common for trout to show preference to the emerger in lieu of the defenseless dun under many circumstances. A general rule when observing a rise form… a bubble = a surface feeder… a bulge (or other disturbance) = a subsurface feeder. Many tyers have reverted to simplistic CDC flies when attempting to mimic BWO naturals at various stages. These flies amount to nothing more than a sparsely dubbed olive body (of various shades) accompanied by a medium dun CDC tuff tied down-wing style. These imitations can be fished anywhere from dead drifted to slightly subsurface depending on the circumstances. TROUT SAFARI Incidentally, the chapter's next meeting is 7PM on Thursday, October 14th at the Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center, 414 Massasoit Rd. here in Worcester. If you are concerned about trout and trout habitat it would be in your best interest to stop by and get involved. Good fishing and safe
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