The weather theatrics of the last few days is the harbinger of good things to come for our local trout waters. Several consecutive days of 90 degree daytime temps had the water in most area streams over 70 degrees for much of the day. This left only an early morning window for trout fishing.
Now the situation is improving rapidly. Evening lows in the mid to upper fifties and daytime highs forecast for the mid to upper 70's means excellent conditions for trout and the hatches of aquatic insects that drive their behavior and our sport. Water temps should stay in the sixties for this next couple of weeks. This pattern looks to be in place for the next two weeks through most of the rest of June and it should mean quality fishing for Father's Day and beyond. Still, this most recent hot spell underscores the need for anglers who practice catch and release to carry a stream thermometer. If the water is at or over 70 degrees, give the fish a break. They'll be there when conditions improve.
And there are still a lot of fish out there in many favorite locales on the South Branch, Musky and Pequest. For the fly angler, the state's stocking policy shift this spring has had the effect of more effective survival rates of trout stocked this spring. For whatever reason, the trout have gotten "buggy". They are adjusting to life in our rivers and streams and are eating bugs over Power Bait.
As in my previous post, look for Caddis and Blue Wing Olives to hatch in the mid to late morning. I'm seeing more ants out and about and along with some Beetles this should kick off terrestrial season. We are waiting to see just how impactful the Cicada hatch will be. It would be awesome to see big trout inhaling cicadas! In the late afternoon to early evening (4-7:30 pm) look for spent Caddis and Isonychia to appear and there maybe some Baetis hatching around 3-4pm. Cahills, Pink Ladies (E. vitreus) and Sulphurs should hatch after 8pm and they will likely be joined by the large Yellow and Golden Drakes. These mayflies are large size 10-12 and prefer areas of well oxygenated water that also has a certain amount of mud available for burrowing habitats favored by the nymphs of both species. Prior to the hatch it's not a bad idea to fish a large size 10-12 Light Cahill Wet Fly by swinging it across and downstream or to fish a single Potomanthus Nymph through likely holding water, generally a deep pool or slower run.
For those traveling outside of our area to the Upper Delaware or PA waters, our fly selection is well stocked with various sizes and patterns that should deliver fish wherever you go. We also have a good selection of 9' 5 weight big water rods including the Scott Centric, GLoomis NRX + and NRX +LP and Winston Air II. I had the pleasure of casting the new Winston Air II the other day and it is a beautiful rod.
We are consistently getting great feedback on our Douglas DXF and Sky series rods as well. If you're a fan of Bauer reels we have the new RVR in stock as well as the RX2 in Green as well as Black. These are beautiful reels. Pair any of these rods with a Bauer, Ross or Galvan and you have a memorable Father's Day Gift.
We would like to keep introducing people to the sport of fly fishing throughout the summer. We would hold classes on some local ponds to get people started and is the ideal environment to help anglers learn to cast and present flies to fish. We look forward to hearing from you. Fly tying should resume in the fall.
June Hatches:
Morning 8:00-11:30 am Note: BWO's may hatch into early afternoon.
Blue Wing Olive Drunella D. attenuata, lata, D. cornuta, D. cornutella Pheasant Tail nymph #14-18, BWO #14-18, RS2 #16-18
American Iron Blue Quill or Summer Blue Quill Paraleptophlebia mollis Adams #18-20, Blue Quill #18-20
Afternoon 2pm- 6pm
Eastern Brown Quill Siphlonurus quebcensis Blue dun #12
Evening 7pm-Dark
Grey Fox Maccaffertium vicarium Grey Fox #14
Greywinged Yellow Quill also known as the "Pink Lady" for the pinkish-red eggs to be found in the female's abdomen Epeorus vitreus Sulphur #14
Light Cahill Stenacron interpunctatum, S. ithaca, Light Cahill #14, Fox Squirrel Nymph, Light Cahill Wet #14-16
Yellow Drake Ephemera varia Yellow Drake #10-12
Here are some of Tim's suggestions for June:
Σχόλια