We’re honored / Connecticut River Fishing Report

That’s our own Cindy – the boss, our fearless leader, and every other title you want – accepting the Silver Trout Award last night from Basil Woods Chapter of Trout Unlimited President Dan Stickney (right), with her faithful Tonto, Jon Howe on the left.

While Cindy accepted this award on behalf of our entire family, the recognition for over 25 years of service and contributions to Trout Unlimited conservation projects really belongs to her alone. Cindy has been committed to promoting the sport of fly fishing, and also how this “sport” can transform and enrich a person’s life for at least 25 years, and we couldn’t agree more. We’re happy to be able to help out when and where we can, and if its good for trout and people, that sounds pretty good to us. What was even better is that Cindy was surrounded last night by many of our fishing friends from the lodge, and it’s only a couple of months before the waters of the north country will be plied again by all of this fly fishing talent …

CONNECTICUT RIVER FISHING REPORT 

That bright orb in the sky actually made its long awaited return yesterday (we go close to three months without seeing it in the winter time), heating the 36 degree water (it’s coming up …. very slowly), however the flows are still low out there.  This does a couple of things:

1.  wading is pretty easy right now, in fact I crossed the river yesterday in a couple of spots that usually are not easily forded when the flow is higher.
2. fish are restricted in the defined pools along the river, which is where they usually are at this time of year anyway. Look for the soft seam (usually the inside seam of the current).
3. high, sunny skies yesterday meant that it was an unlikely day for catching fish, and I obliged.
4. the low flow makes the fish a trifle skittish – they’re more worried about self preservation than feeding when the flow is this low.

This all adds up to some challenging conditions for spring fishing on the Connecticut – these conditions should improve when the flows come up (rain and snow melt will contribute to this). Anyway, here’s the deal with the fishing:

Streamers – probably the most preferred method.  Smelt imitations are best, but you could also throw something else at them. Whether it’s a floating smelt on top, or the traditional swing and strip method, this may be the way to go.

Nymphs – think heavily weighted beadhead (Prince, PT) followed by an egg, spawn or San Juan Worm, and you may have some success.  Saw some BWOs on the surface yesterday in the sunshine (very small ones), so you may want to try a small BWO emerger pattern when you see them coming off.

Dries – not yet, but if you spot a riser, try a BWO or midge pattern. We need some much warmer weather to get this going.

The weather the next two days looks conducive to getting out on the water – then, it’s back in to winter again.

Hopefully, we’ll have an updated entry tomorrow …