PRESIDENT BUSH VISITS THE LOWER FORTY

April 24, 2008 - No, not the leader of the free world… Larry Bush, newly anointed TU Chapter President. I must admit that I was more than skeptical when, inspired by a recent article in Fly Fish America Magazine, Larry decided to make northeast Georgia the focus of his latest trout crusade. One hardly thinks of water south of the Mason Dixon Line as an appropriate coldwater destination. Larry was kind enough to forward a few pixs with a brief summary of the weekend's events.

The Soque River was the venue and guide Ken Louko was the taskmaster. To quote this great American leader, "Must have hooked into a least 25, landed about 50-60%. All rainbows, largest went 24" and probably weighed 8-9 pounds according to the guide."

Bead head nymphs and soft hackle emergers tempted most specimens, but and an egg/sac style fly labeled "crystal meth" also account for a number of hook-ups.

WATER PROBLEMS?
What a difference a week makes. The lack of sufficient precipitation has placed most freestone rivers in dire need of rain. Water levels on the Millers, Ware, E. and W. Branch of the Ware, E. Branch of the Swift and Westfield are extremely low for this time of year. Our more popular tailwater fisheries, the Main Branch of the Swift and the Deerfield River remain high due to discharges and overflows.

HENDRICKSON/RED QUILL
They have finally arrived in central and northern Connecticut and I would not be stunned to observe a few in the air locally by week's end. This is a male/female concurrent hatch that is best mimicked by Light Hendrickson (#14) and Red Quill (#16). I have always found trout to show more fondness for the diminutive Red Quill over the more portly Hendrickson when both are available in similar numbers. Look for the hatch to commence sometime during the early afternoon and endure for about an hour or so. Depending on intensity, best fishing usually occurs during the inception and conclusion of the hatch period when individuals are scarce and fish are more opportunistic.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB