Opening Day 4 months away

Someone said to me the other day, only 4 more months to opening day. It is a day that I look forward to as long as it is 50 degrees and above. I barely manage to get out of my man cave until June. After all the average temp is about 34 - 44 degrees at the beginning of April in NY. I just can't bring myself out to ice fish.

Trout fishing for me will start on the Hoosic river around April 15th this year. Water temp 45 - 55 degrees. As a rule water temp will be just about right around 2 pm - 5 pm. It's a stream that runs west out of Vermont into the Hudson. It is a river that has had its share of trouble. The tanneries all but destroyed its fish population. It is no longer stocked, but it does hold some wild rainbows and browns. What it lacks in fish is made up in the size of fish that are available.

Wide and slow and some fast, riffled water make for some good holding spots for some large fish. Early season above the village of Eagle Bridge puts out some good mayfly hatches. Tan, cream, and white are the colors of the spring here. Wets are the preference. A lot of the stream side is unshaded so dries are an afternoon to evening technique. 9" min and 5 take limit, although in this river catch and release is the best way to go. As it is in most rivers.

One of the best trout fishing techniques I have found is asking owner permission before walking across a land owners property. Some of the best areas are behind some-ones home and common respect goes a long way for all fisherpersons. Practicing this keeps the fishing open for all.

As for equipment, early spring brings out my 4wt, 7' leader, 4x tippet and size 12 - 16 flies.

Davy Cadis Sz 14

Hairs Ear Sz 14 - 16

Hairs Ear Bead Sz 12 - 16

Gold Rib Haired 14 - 16 one of the best when you just don't know what to use!

March Brown nymph

Streamers:

Matuka Sz 12 -14

Zonker Sz 12 - 14

Muddler Minnow Sz 12 - 14

Peacock Woolly Bugger Sz 12 -14 the best of the best get black, brown and red

Wets:

Olive Woolly Worm

Drys:

Adams

Light Cahill

Dark Cahill

Black Midge

Blue-winged olive good in early spring late afternoon when sipping is in progress.

Ant

Daves Hopper

You don't need a vest full of flies just some of your favorite nymph patterns will do. A few wets and a couple of streamer patterns and you're off.

I fish up and across on a dead drift. Let the fly drift to the bottom and strip in the loose line to keep up with the fly. If your fishing a streamer let it go downstream and strip it back up to you. Vary your retrieve. Keep a tight line between your fingers and the line as a trout can inhale and spit out a fly in about a 10th of a second. You might never know a strike occurred if you can't feel it. Credit: Our thanks to Frank Amato Publications for the use of this material from Oregon River Maps & Fishing Guide. Most of your casts will be in the 20 - 25-foot range. If you've read any of my posts you know I believe this is the active casting and catching range of most trout fishing. Hatch chart for Battenkill, VT. Hoosic River is about 1 week ahead: Hatch Chart Just the tip of the ice burg so to speak.

So there, a little taste of spring here in NY. I have to end now and go and look at my fly rods and get to tying a few flies. This always happens to me this time of year.