THE '07 OPENER

April 12, 2007 - On my daily commute from Barre it's difficult to believe it's the middle of April. Snow banks continue to line each side of Rt.122 and Cindy Fitzgibbon's 7-day forecast offered little in the way of relief to the fly angler.

The early season fly fishermen may be best served to focus their attention of the many stocked impoundments throughout the Commonwealth. This is the perfect opportunity to iron out casting techniques and enjoy a day afield while waiting for his favorite watershed to return to form. We have already received a number of reports from Cape Cod bound anglers that have enjoyed exceptional early spring angling when the weather has cooperated. Recently, Bob Thunberg, persuaded about a dozen trout (mostly browns) to except his offerings while prospecting the shoreline of Schoolhouse Pond in Chatham, a body of water that is no stranger to the Worcester native. His success can be attributed to weighted flies fished in conjunction with a sink-tip line of substantial proportion.

Virtually every impoundment in the state has been restocked by the Massachusetts Fish & Game at least once complimenting any holdover populations. Some of out favorite Cape ponds are: Goose Pd.-Chatham, Schoolhouse Pd.-Chatham, Crystal Pd.-Orleans, Scargo Lake-Dennis, Cliff Pd.-Brewster, and Sheep Pd.-Brewster. All bodies of water enjoy public access, are easily wadable or can be fished by small boat, kayak or float tube.

JACK SMOLA
We'd like to thank everyone that attended the Jack Smola lecture entitled "The Right River with the Right Fly" this past Saturday. As always his presentation was very informative and thought provoking. This Saturday, April 14th from Noon-2PM The Lower Forty will be hosting guide Marla Blair and her presentation "Adventures in Alaska." If you have any interest in making our 49th State the focus of your next fly fishing vacation we would strongly recommend you attend this free seminar.

LANG'S
Lang's Sporting Collectibles Show will be held on April 20-21 at the Holiday Inn, Boxborough, Mass (RT. 495 at Rt. 111, Exit 28). Show hours are, Friday 10AM-6PM, Saturday 9AM-2PM. Over 120 tables of quality sporting collectibles including all forms of antique and collectible fishing tackle, rods, reels, creels, flies, books and paintings will be displayed, general admission is $7.50 for adults, children under 12 are free. For information call (315) 841-4623 or visit www.langsauction.com.

HATCHES
It's a bit early in the season to expect mayflies here in central New England but don't be discouraged. Look for one of our most dominant hatches (Hendrickson 12-14, Red Quill 16) to occur on local watersheds sometime around the end of the month, a week earlier in Connecticut. This hatch is easily recognized and certainly one of the most important of the entire year.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB