STOCKING RESUMES

May 20, 2010 - The latest region to receive trout was the Southeast District. Most of the Cape Cod trout ponds have been restocked during the previous week signaling the final time they will receive fish this spring. From personal experience, trout angling has been outstanding this season with special attention given to Schoolhouse Pond in Chatham.

Bob Thunberg, who considers this venue to be his home water, has consistently experienced double-digit catches during routine 3 to 4 hour sessions. While darker wooly bugger patterns (8-10) have been responsible for the bulk of the action, when rising fish are encountered a more technical approach is necessary. Small soft hackles (#18), traditional wet flies (such as quill gordons, coachmans and dark cahills #18-#20) fished on floating lines just under the surface in conjunction with a slow, deliberate retrieve will often draw attention.

Giiffith's Gnats (#20-#22), Cluster Midges (#20-#22) and BWO's (#20-#22) are common dry fly imitations when trout are showing preference to the adult stage of chronomids.

Thus far rainbow and brown trout along with the occasional tiger trout and even a smallmouth bass or two have provided the bulk of the action.

HARRISON ANGLER FLOATS
I know it appears to be hyperbole but recent Deerfield floats, hosted by Dan and Tom of Harrison Anglers, have resulted in catches of 30-40 trout/float. The Deerfield remains in stellar shape due to more predictable water releases and has been fishing the best it will all year. Since the outfit is dialed in to current hatches and fly selection you may want to contact them before your next attack. Visit www.harrisonanglers.com for the latest information.

LOCAL HATCHES
With the vaunted Hendrickson/Red Quill hatch all but a recent memory it is time to focus on another premier event, the March Brown emergence. The hatch usually occurs during the late afternoon (during the initial stage of the hatch) and progressively later into the evening once the hatch matures. The insects are unmistakable in their appearance often approaching 1-½ inches in length, featuring a darker, speckled cast with a distinctive, almost elegant emergence routine.

I have always noticed that when this hatch becomes prevalent, early morning and afternoon angling seems to suffer a bit. The trout will become conditioned to the March Brown appearing sometime after dark and take advantage of the insect during it's emergence and ultimate spinner fall.

Combined this pattern with a summer caddis (#18), and generic caddis imitations in (#14-#16) and you should be good to go.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB