First Trip Out And Some Questions

"It's gonna happen again. There will be a mix up regarding Winter Stoneflies and Snowflies.  Winter Stoneflies, or early dark stoneflies, begin to appear as the mid March sun begins to break the back of Winter. They will be everywhere until late April and then that's it.  I live on the banks of a trout stream (Mill River) and I see hundreds each year.  They are NOT a major source of food for trout. Let's face it, the streams are high, clouded and cold at that time of year. Also, the streams probably have not been stocked yet and have very few fish in them. This insect hatches by crawling onto the shore. A weighted pheasant tail in a size 16 - 18, fished slowly along the shore, may be your best bet to imitate this bug if conditions permit."

It's a late start to this year of fly fishing due to the worst cold snap in 30 years. I can put up with some ice in the guides but I'll draw the line at fingers frozen to the rod handle. That's why the 11th would be my opening day with temperatures in the upper 40's (just like April) and the hope of some surface action. So, I trudged my way up to the Bubbler Arm of the Swift and took ONE 8 inch rainbow and that was it. I didn't see another trout in that run. Even the Y Pool seemed dead with the best reason being that there is an otter who has taken up residence again. The otter will chase the fish right out of the pool and as usual the trout gather downstream in the shallow water around the hemlocks. So do the fishermen!

Jonathan, a client of mine, seemed to have had the top day on the river when he found a pod of trout and took three bows around 16 inches. Yellow eggs and my mini bugger all scored! Since it's his spot I'll let him tell you where it is. Hint: the place is usually ignored.

Overflow Arm Strategy

Reader Paul asked a question regarding the overflow arm of the Y Pool. I love that place and and it's one of the spots that I can rely on in the early Spring and the Fall. Why is that? This "arm" is basically a deadwater unless there is a overflow coming from Quabbin (usually there isn't) and it's not really effected by the discharge from the bubbler. This deadwater will warm up on an early, sunny, Spring day and
it will have the earliest hatches (winter caddis) on the river. Trout will move into this deadwater all the way up to the very end. The same thing happens in the Fall. In the Summer it's not the best place due to higher water temperature.

Once the shelf ice leaves that spot (along with the otter) I'll be there!!

Ken