JT's Fly Shop

Weekly report

This weekend is looking like it is going to be a real good one weather wise. Hope everyone who did go out on opening day had a good time. I managed to get out for about 7 hours Saturday and again for all day on Monday and Tuesday. While the weather was not the best the trout were very cooperative. Did as usual and let the trout show me what they wanted got fish bottom to top. Some on nymphs, wets and dries. The best fly seemed to be a Quill Gordon wet fly.

Pros pointer: Over the last few weeks I have been reading a very good, very old book by C.M. Tod called “Fishing the Wet fly” it was written in 1903 and most of the info dates back to the 1870-1900 period. He wrote for the Angling Gazette in Scotland. Two things that stand out were his insistence on being a “well rounded angling Gentlemen”. He wrote something that made me smile as it is my mantra, “A good angler must keep one’s mind open to more than one way of approach to his fishing: this learned is better thus than a sharp stick in one’s eye”. The other was the fact that he wrote of fishing a dry and wet fly dropper and here I thought that was something new, I guess that there really is not much that has changed. Thank you mister Tod you have reminded me why I love this sport so much.

Willimantic:
Flows are at 149 CFS water temps are in the upper 40’s my break 50 and it is clear. The little black stones have slowed a bit but are still hatching. There has been some Quill Gordon sighting as well, saw some scattered Hendrickson Males on Tuesday afternoon so this weekend may be the ticket. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, red quills sz 14 and Hendrickson emerger and dry patterns if they show, small dark caddis and stimulators.

Natchaug:
Flows are at about 75 CFS water temps are high 40’s / low 50’sand the river is clear. Quill Gordon’s were present earlier this week and should still be around this weekend. Little black stones and some small gray caddis are also present. Keep an eye out if the overnight temps do not get too low may see some Hendricksons hatch. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators, sz 12 Hendrickson dries.

MT Hope:
Flows are down a bit at 33 CFS water temps are in upper 40’s / low 50’sand it is clear. Look for the usually early season suspects here as above keep an eye out for the first mayflies of the year. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators, sz 12 Hendrickson & red quill dries.

Fenton:
Flows are down here as well they are at about 21 CFS and water temps are in high 40’s water/ low 50’s is clear. This river has good shade so the stones still will be strong and there is a great chance of mayflies coming off so the fishing will be good. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators, sz 12 Hendrickson and red quill sz 14 dries.

Shetucket:
Flows 497 CFS temps are in low 50’s water is clear. This flow should be good for some decent fly fishing from the dam down through Baltic to the dams. There are plenty of trout stocked and should also be some fall fish around. Remember there is a chance you may hook into a brood stock salmon so hold tight. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive , Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators, Hendrickson dries and red quill dries.

Hockanum:
Flow 105 CFS temps are in low 50’s water is clear. Give this river a try as I plan to do some fishing in the TMA this spring. This river gets a good amount of trout so if you can give it a shot. Not wilderness but it has trout. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive , Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators, Hendrickson dries and red quill dries.

Salmon:
Flow is at 139 CFS temps are in the low 50’s and there are lots of trout here as well. Good friend has fished here several times and has caught many trout in the management area. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive , Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators, Hendrickson dries and red quill dries.

Good luck ,

Steve’O

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Weekly report

This weekend is opening day and the weather seems to look like it will be ok other than a possible shower and some wind. Temps look to fall back to March levels but that is fishing, take the good with the bad. JTs will be opened extended hours Friday and Saturday, Friday hours are 7AM to 9PM and Saturday 4AM to 4 PM. For the next two weeks we also open at 5AM each morning for you early birds in need of worms. From my scouting the last couple of weeks there are a lot of trout out there to be had so enjoy the day.
pro pointer:
remember that aquatic insects will be active subsurface even before a hatch so remember to fish thru the whole hatch don’t just wait for the dun or emergers. fish a nymph that looks and acts like the natural and you could have action a week or more before the actual hatch is on. this holds true for many of the bugs so don’t just match the duns match the entire hatch.

Willimantic:
Flows are at 160 CFS water temps are in the mid to upper 40’s and it is clear. The little black stones have slowed a bit but are still hatching. There has been some Quill Gordon sighting as well. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive ( couple buddies did well last weekend with them), Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small dark caddis and stimulators.

Natchaug:
Flows are at about 80 CFS water temps are high 40’s and the river is clear. Quill Gordon’s were present earlier this week and should still be around this weekend. Little black stones and some small gray caddis are also present. Keep an eye out if the overnight temps do not get too low may see some Hendricksons hatch. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive ( couple buddies did well last weekend with them), Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators.

MT Hope:
Flows are down a bit at 33 CFS water temps are in upper 40’s and it is clear. Look for the usually early season suspects here as above keep an eye out for the first mayflies of the year. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive ( couple buddies did well last weekend with them), Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators.

Fenton:
Flows are down here as well they are at about 30 CFS and water temps are in high 40’s water is clear. This river has good shade so the stones still will be strong and there is less of a chance of mayflies coming off but the fishing will still be good. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive ( couple buddies did well last weekend with them), Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators.

Shetucket:
Flows 550 CFS temps are high 40’s water is clear. This flow should be good for some decent fly fishing from the dam down through Baltic to the dams. There are plenty of trout stocked and should also be some fall fish around. Remember there is a chance you may hook into a brood stock salmon so hold tight. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive ( couple buddies did well last weekend with them), Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators.

Hockanum:
Flow 128 CFS temps are in high 40’s water is clear. Give this river a try as I plan to do some fishing in the TMA this spring. This river gets a good amount of trout so if you can give it a shot. Not wilderness but it has trout. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive ( couple buddies did well last weekend with them), Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators

Salmon:
Flow is at 155 CFS temps are in the high 40’s and there are lots of trout here as well. Good friend has fished here several times and has caught many trout in the management area. Best flies will be small black hare ears sz 14-16, pheasant tails sz 16-18, gold stones sz 8-10, buggers sz 8-10 black and olive ( couple buddies did well last weekend with them), Hendrickson nymphs sz 12-14, Quill Gordon wets sz 14, quill Gordon dries sz 14, small grey and dark brown caddis and stimulators

Good luck and send up pictures if you catch a big one,

Steve’O

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What a tease get a couple of nice warm days and wham cold comes back . but looks like the next 10 days will see a good warm upToday was a bit warmer and tomorrow and Saturday will be even better so give it a shot. Remember that next weekend is the spring fling at the fly shop so come on up see us.

Pros pointer

I know it has been a year or so since rock snot was discovered at the Farmington but  remember to help stop the spread of Didymo we should all begin to inspect clean and dry our wading gear. Once off the water you should either place your wading shoes in a solution of hot water +115 deg. And 5% dish washing liquid for about 10 minutes then dry it as best you can. With wader hang them to dry and brush them clean with a dry rag. Make sure to turn gravel guards up so they dry as well if we all pitch in we can help stop it’s spread. I know I have a pair of wading boots Rubber soled just for the Farmington , now I know everyone does not have the ability to have more than one pair of boots , but Korkers are a close second. I like felt for freestone rivers as it is far better on slimy rocks than the “sticky” rubber, but I have two pair one old one new and rotate them so 1 pair is dry for next trip.

Willimantic River:
Flow: 221 CFS it has been hovering around the 220  range for a couple of  days which is good.
Temps are in the high 30’s to low 40’s pretty much all the snow is gone so with the upcoming warm weather temps will rise
Insects: small black and brown stone flies
Flies: sz 14-16 black & brown stonefly nymphs, sz 6-10 golden stones, sz 12-14 hare ears , prince nymphs, zug bugs, don’t overlook dries as I got 3 nice trout on top last Saturday.

Hockanum River:
Flow: 151 CFS and stable clear flows. This level is near normal for this time of year.
Temps: is over the 40 degree mark and maybe mid 40’s later this weekend if the temps and sun are what is predicted.
Insects: small black and brown stone flies, some midge’s sz 18-20 mixed in.
Flies: sz 14-16 black & brown stonefly nymphs, sz 6-10 golden stones, sz 12-14 hare ears , prince nymphs, zug bugs, small stimi’s sz 16-18 in black or brown

Salmon river:
Flow: 208 CFS this a little below  normal flow for March/April and it is clear.
Temps: high 30’s to low 40’s with all the snow gone in this part of the state the tamps will rise with the sun and warmer temps
Insects: small black and brown stone flies, some midges sz 18-20 mixed in.
Flies: sz 14-16 black & brown stonefly nymphs, sz 6-10 golden stones, sz 12-14 hare ears, prince nymphs, zonkers , hornbergs and buggers  have been working. A good buddy got out there this week and did ok with a bugger drifting it like a nymph so keep your options open.
Moosup River:

Flow : 150 CFS and

Temps: are in 40’s

Insects: little black and brown stones sz 16-18

Flies: sz 16-18 black & brown stonefly nymphs, sz 6-10 golden stones, sz 12-14 hare ears, prince nymphs, zonkers , hornbergs and buggers.

Good luck

Steve’O

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Could not believe what was coming down this morning when I got up it was snowing again WTF will spring ever come!

The last few days have warmed but not too much which is a good thing the snow we have up here is melting slowly so the Willi is pretty stable. With the weatherman promising some temps in the 50’s the fishing should be good.

Willimantic River:
Flow: 258 CFS it has been hovering around the 265-260 range for the last few days which is good.
Temps are still in the 30’s with the last bit of snow melting off up here in Union it should start to warm up in the next week or so.
Insects: small black and brown stone flies
Flies: sz 14-16 black & brown stonefly nymphs, sz 6-10 golden stones, sz 12-14 hare ears , prince nymphs, zug bugs,

Hockanum River:
Flow: 182 CFS and stable clear flows. This level is near normal for this time of year.
Temps: are in the high 30’s and make break the 40 degree mark later this weekend if the temps and sun are what is predicted.
Insects: small black and brown stone flies, some midges sz 18-20 mixed in.
Flies: sz 14-16 black & brown stonefly nymphs, sz 6-10 golden stones, sz 12-14 hare ears , prince nymphs, zug bugs,

Salmon river:
Flow: 293 CFS this is right at the normal flow for March/April and it is clear.
Temps: high 30’s with all the snow gone in this part of the state the tamps will rise with the sun and warmer temps
Insects: small black and brown stone flies, some midges sz 18-20 mixed in.
Flies: sz 14-16 black & brown stonefly nymphs, sz 6-10 golden stones, sz 12-14 hare ears , prince nymphs, zug bugs,
Good luck
Steve’O

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THE CALENDAR MAY SAY SPRING HAS STARTED BUT THE WEATHER DOES NOT KNOW IT. THE TEMPS WILL REMAIN ON THE COOL SIDE WITH DAYTIME HIGHS PREDICTED TO BE IN THE HIGH 30’S TO MID-40’S WITH LOWS IN THE 20’S. PRETTY MUCH THE SAME PATTERN WE HAVE HAD FOR MOST OF MARCH.

THE STATE HAS PRETTY MUCH STOCKED ALL OF THE TMA’S WITH TROUT SO THE FISH ARE THERE. WILL THEY TAKE IS THE BIG QUESTION. I KNOW THAT UNION STILL HAS OVER 8” OF SNOW ON THE GROUND AND EVERY DAY IT GETS ABOVE 35 IT MELTS A LITTLE SO THIS ADDS MORE COLD WATER TO THE SYSTEM.

WILLIMANTIC RIVER:
FLOWS: 270 CFS AND IS DROPPING BUT IS STILL ABOUT 100 CFS ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR. THROUGH MUCH OF LAST WEEK THE FLOWS WERE ABOUT 900 CFS. WITH THE DROPPING WATER LOOK TO THE SOFT SEEMS IN SLOWER FLOWS. TEMPS REMAIN ABOUT 35 DEGREES.
BEST BETS: BIG GOLDEN & BLACK STONES SZ 6-8, GOLD RIBBED HARES EARS IN SZ 12-16, PRINCE NYMPHS SZ 10-14, GREEN ROCK WORMS IN SZ 14. MUDDLERS SZ 6-8, THIN MINT, BLACK AND OLIVE BUGGERS SZ 8-10, MATUKAS SZ 6-8.

HOCKANUM RIVER:
FLOWS: 221 CFS AND TRENDING LOWER WATER TEMPS ARE ABOUT 38 DEGREES
BEST BETS: BIG GOLDEN & BLACK STONES SZ 6-8, GOLD RIBBED HARES EARS IN SZ 12-16, PRINCE NYMPHS SZ 10-14, GREEN ROCK WORMS IN SZ 14. MUDDLERS SZ 6-8, THIN MINT, BLACK AND OLIVE BUGGERS SZ 8-10, MATUKAS SZ 6-8.

SALMON RIVER:
FLOWS: 366 TRENDING DOWN WATER TEMPS ARE IN THE MID 30’S
BEST BETS: BIG GOLDEN & BLACK STONES SZ 6-8, GOLD RIBBED HARES EARS IN SZ 12-16, PRINCE NYMPHS SZ 10-14, GREEN ROCK WORMS IN SZ 14. MUDDLERS SZ 6-8, THIN MINT, BLACK AND OLIVE BUGGERS SZ 8-10, MATUKAS SZ 6-8.
IF YOU DO GO FISHING THIS TIME OF THE SEASON BE VERY CAREFUL OF ICE AND SNOW ON THE BANK EDGES AS A FALL IN THE WATER THIS COLD COULD BE FATAL. BE SAFE HAVE FUN
FISH ON

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Monday night JT, Stan, Lou and I all headed up to the Ludlow Elks for the 3rd year in a row to set up a display for the shop at the Western Mass fly fishermen’s club expo. It is a great club that main purpose is to give back and get Kids and adults into fly fishing and tying. I was at their January meeting, going over what program I was going to put on at the expo, they announced they had about 56 people in the fly tying class they were putting on. That is incredible to say the least. The club dues are all put back into materials and items for the tying classes. They are a great bunch!

I did my talk on two of my favorite things; I did a short presentation on “locating and best tactics for small stream fishing” and a much broader presentation on “nymph fishing”. Any of you who have fished with me know that I LIKE nymph fishing. Some people look down on it and I feel sorry for them. It is not the only way to fish by no means but it beats waiting for a hatch. Over the last 35+ years of fly fishing I have one philosophy when it comes to both guiding and my personal fishing “ be flexible” I will almost never go to the river planning on fishing just this way or that. I will always sit and watch the fish for a time and let them tell me how to fish. It has made me successful over the years so I try to help others see it works. I have been reading digital copy of C.M Todd’s “ fishing the wet fly” this book was published back in 1903 and even though it is about wet fly fishing he makes the comment that and fly fishermen to be a success has to be able to fish both on top and under the surface. Well I guess there really is not all that much new in this sport. I had thought that a dry and dropper was a relatively new thing, nope he talks about fishing a dry and a wet fly in slightly faster water. I am starting to believe that truly only thing that has changed is what the equipment is made out of.

Think I have reached the stage were just getting out and getting of decent fish is more important that counting. I have kept a fishing journal since 1983 and use them to look back at weather, water and fish patterns. I have noticed that from about 1990 until about 4 years ago I kept very detailed counts of the species with species, length, pattern and location for all of my fishing trips. These last 4 years I find I listed only that I caught a few in the spot or that spot with the occasional note on a larger fish with location and pattern. It could be maturity or just laziness I am not sure. I still keep details of the weather, water and how I fished but not the numbers. I have also noticed I have started to fish slower in the last couple of years and that is a good thing. I think sometimes I would move thru a pool or run way too fast and actually miss some fish. As time goes by we all mature and age some like a fine wine others mellow like a good single malt in the end we all enjoy this great sport our own way.

steve

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Put the oldest daughter on the bus this morning and realized that it was actually light at 6:00 this has to mean that spring is not too far off. This is the time of the year for anticipation of the upcoming season and planning trips for the early spring. For me it means cranking up the vice and tying lots of flies. Most years I will have dozens and dozens of flies to tie to fill boxes for guiding. I like to do as much of it preseason as possible so then I only have to tie newer patterns during the season. What really helps with this is keeping a detailed journal of all my trips both personal and guide trips. I have kept one since 1982 when I needed a subject for a college creative writing class. Over the years it has been one of my best tools to make me a better fly fisherman. I can look back at weather patterns, water flows or even lack of rain back to 82 and see what worked and did not.
This year I actually started way back in December tying just in case we had a winter like last year so I could get out without feeling guilty. I spend a lot of time tying for the shop in March and early April but that always ends up being between 10pm-2am most nights. Well the winter shaped up to be pretty normal so looks like fishing will be another few weeks off. I know some people are getting out, my buddy Steve e-mailed me this morning saying he got out yesterday and got a couple that made 7 so far this year. I am really jealous of him. Not only that he got to fish at all but that he is new at fly fishing and has that need to get out. I think that is why this part of the year is special to me because I get that feeling after a couple of month of not being on the water I really need to get out and renew that love of fly fishing.
Working and hanging out at fly and tackle shops over the past 20 years I it funny how some fly fishermen think that having the best of everything will make it better or easier, while it may make it better it is not easy at first. I always make a point in my beginners class that, if coming from spin fishing, they have to be willing to catch less trout for a season or two but once it clicks there is usually not turning back. Speaking of stuff I just picked up a new rod that I have wanted for a couple of years. I finally got my Hardy Zenith 9’ 4 weight rod and cannot wait to fish it. It was a deal I could not pass up so I jumped. I have wanted one since I first cast the proto type with the sales rep 3 years ago. I t has a very progressive action which makes close in casting, say 10-15 feet, easy but it has a power to boom out an 80’ cast if needed. Two springs ago at the shops spring fling I had a customer, who had only tried casting once before, throwing decent loops and 30’ of line in no time with that rod. Unlike the many faster rods these are much easier to cast you do not need perfect timing. One thing I have been impressed with all of their products is, unlike some US companies who build great casting rods but they seem to be poor tools to fight fish, the Hardy rod do both well.
Just an FYI over the next month there are a few things going on that I would like to let you know about. This Saturday March 16, 2013 we are doing open tying at the shop. Monday March 18th I will be at the Western Mass Fly fishermen’s expo doing a program on small stream & nymph fishing. Saturday April 13th will be the shops (JTs fly shop) annual spring fling weekend. Many reps and local clubs will be there along with a fishermen’s flea market. Stop in to one of these and say hey.

Steve

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Well Connecticut’s opening day for the regular trout season was yetserday April 21st. I made it out about 9:30 or so after working at the shop from 5am. Jt and the boys were there just after 4am and had a few customers. Friday was a real busy day with everyone who already had not, wanting to get a license. at one point I think there were 8 or 9 people waiting, Stan has bceome a quick gun with the machine and he did his magic. I had two special helpers, as to of my 3 E’s were there to help dad, one running the register and on bagging, they had a blast.
I headed back to the Willimantic river TMA hoping that most of the people who had been fishing there the last 2 1/2 months were on to greener pastures. I started at the abutment pool, there was a youger guy there with a kid he was trying to teach to fly fish at the tail out, I moved up to the very head of the pool and after a couple of quick tangles and a leader change, I managed to get 3 casts in a row were I wanted them. On number four a beautiful brown took my szie 16 caddis dry and gave a very good account of it’s self.

I then moved down to the flat below the abutment pool and proceded to spook two decent fish with casts that got blown off target by poorly timed breezes. I managed a nice little brookie on the dry a bit later. About this time the sun came out full bore and the fish stopped feeding on top. I rerigged with a czech nymph point fly and a small caddis pupa dropper. I made only three cast and hooked and landed a nice little rainbow a few minutes later I hooked and lost a ncie fish that ran down stream quick. I managed to scape up one more trout from the tail out and decided to leave the two young fisherman to the pool. I drove down stream to a favorite access point to fish the middle of the TMA. I took quick water break and then headed off to the lower Bride pool, I had fished down thru the pool with a pair on nymphs with not even a bump. I then turned around changed the point fly to a sligtly lighter version of a caddis larva and started to work up stream using a yarn indicator( bobber) I had made it up about half way when Carl one of my friends showed up. I slowly fished the rest of the pool waiting for him to rig up. once riggered head fished the head of the pool and got two trout to show interest in a small caddis so I changed to a dry and we fish up under the bridge to the upper pool. we managed several fall fish and dace but not trout. Once thru the bridge we noticed a couple of fish rising just up into the pool. Carl got a quick refusal and told me to give it a try I cast to the spot and the fish took right away, it then proceeded to get me hung in a rock or log and I had to break it off. I retied and we fish up towards the head of the pool. Carl was ahead and to the bank side of the pool that way we could both fish with out corssing lines or drifts. About half way up the pool I noticed very many fish flashing along the bottom so I switched back to the czech nymph and dropper. First cast at the head of the pool I hooked a nice tiger trout and after a short fight unhoooked it, two cast later I hooked and landed a nice rianbow. I called to Carl to come back down and I let him fish the slot they were holding in. after a couple of missed fish he broke off and deicded to switch to a soft hackle and ant. ( he has a great mthod of fishing ants subsurface). I hooked and landed one more brown and headed down towards the bridge casting then taking a step then casting again. Carl hooked up an landed a nice rianbow from the head of the pool. We worked out way back down under the bridge with neither of us getting any real action. Carl had to leave so I decided I would swing a pupa and soft hackle in the head of the lower pool an head out. an hour later after a couple missed hook sets and a nice fish lost to too much pressure on my end of the line I called it a day. Overall not a bad opening day # 37 if I do say so.

Steve’O

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