HENDRICKSON (14)/RED QUILL (16)

April 22, 2006 - We have begun to witness our first classic mayfly hatches of the season. The revered Hendrickson (F), Red Quill (M) hatch is now in full bloom in watersheds to our south and it will be a matter of a few days until anglers begin to enjoy the fruits of this event in Massachusetts waters. Our hatch sequence seems to be a bit premature this season due to lower water flows and generally warmer water temperatures.

Fly fisherman can expect to observe these insects begin to emerge during early afternoon hours, usually between 1-3 PM. Two patterns I wouldn't venture afield without would be a Hendrickson (14-12) in conjunction with a Red Quill (14-16). I have often observed discriminating trout showing preference for the diminutive male over the female under intense hatch situations. Pre-hatch intervals can be filled by presenting sub-surface patterns such as, Pheasant Tail Nymphs (14-16) or Hare's Ear Nymphs (14-16). Both patterns do a reasonable job at mimicking these insects in their nymphal stage.

WHAT A KORKER
Next time you run into Dave Rose ask him to recreate the events of the previous week. This angler experienced one of the most unusual catches in recent memory. Now get this, Dave hooked, fought and landed a 9 ½ lb. rainbow in a body of water not common to such brutes. The French River in Oxford was the scene of the crime, a watershed not often implicated by anglers visiting the shop. The kicker is, Rose docked the beast after a ½ hour give and take struggle while employing a diminutive Orvis 1oz. rod as his weapon of choice.

CAPE PONDS
Scargo Pond in Dennis continues to offer fly anglers exceptional early spring fishing. A handful of anglers have been visiting the impoundment during the previous few weeks and in every case their efforts have not gone unrewarded. The reoccurring theme has been aggressive all-sinking or sink-tip lines in conjunction with leech patterns (wooly buggers in olive, black and even red 8-10). The entire shoreline offers easy access and comfortable wading with a prevailing early spring N-NE breeze.

QUABBIN
Anglers that prefer dragging flies have been experiencing outstanding fishing on this western impoundment. Lake trout, landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass have been more than obliging. Due to the resident population of smelt the flies of choice are Gray Ghosts, Magog Smelts, Kennebago Smelts and Blue Smelts in tandem.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB