MID-SEASON REPORT CARD

July 13, 2006 - For me the 4th of July holiday usually signifies the midpoint of the cold water fishing season. With this in mind I decided to hand out grades for what, at times, has been a very challenging period.

STOCKING AND SPECIES AVAILABILITY… GRADE A
As many customers know I have long been a proponent of the state's trout stocking program. Considering the density of the state's population and the limitation of great quality trout habitat the Fish & Wildlife Department continues to amaze me.

WEATHER… GRADE D
Beginning with the spring of 2005 and continuing to the present we have probably experience some of the most challenging water conditions in recent memory. Increasingly high water flows have limited many anglers to smaller watersheds and away from New England's premier tailwater fisheries.

HATCHES… GRADE C
Despite all the doom and gloom the normal sequence of mayfly, caddis fly and midge hatches, while at times limited due to weather events, seemed to have occurred on schedule. At times, throughout the spring and early summer customers have reported the lack of hatch intensity and diversity.

WATER CONDTIONS… GRADE D
The obvious… water, water and more water. The weather has not only effected freestone and tailwater fisheries, but impoundments as well.

MID-SEASON PROSPECTS… GRADE B+
On a normal year we would be grappling with low, warm water throughout the balance of the summer. Now that the fish have disbursed and the bridge anglers have taken their leave, the prospects for a sensational summer season is looming. Watersheds such as the Millers, Swift, Deerfield and Westfield are poised to experience some of the finest summer angling in years.

GOLF LEGEND JOINS FFF
From "Tackle Trade World"… "Top international competition golfer Jack Nicklaus has agreed to be a national spokesperson on behalf of the Federation of Fly Fishers, a member of the board of directors and the first honorary chairman of the FFF Presidents Club."

"Nicklaus has been an avid fly fisher for most of his life and has visited many exotic destinations worldwide to pursue his passion. Comparing his personal philosophy with that of the FFF, he said: "I am an avid sportsman and few activities or sports provide me with as much joy as fishing does."

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB