Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

Bay between Albany and Berkeley. If you like a
spring challenge, this is it—and concentrate on
the slack tide.
COLORADO
Anybody who doesn’t know about March on the
South Platte between Spinney Mountain Reservoir
and Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir is missing one of
the greatest fly-fishing experiences in the country.
This little section of river is called the “Dream
Stream,” and for good reason. In March huge
rainbows and cutthroats move up into the river from
Elevenmile to spawn. The stream is small and clear,
so sight fishing is often productive. Move slowly
and stalk your quarry. The water the first mile up
from the lake is best. Pat Dorsey, local expert and
owner of Blue Quill Angler (303-674-4700;
www.bluequillangler.com) recommends a yarn egg
with an RS2 or mercury pheasant tail dropper (a
glass bead makes this fly deadly). You could have
the fish of a lifetime on your line. Landing it may
be another story.
CONNECTICUT
Most of the active hatches early in this period will
consist of winter caddis in sizes 18 to 24, generally
producing some results in the morning and at
mid day. Pupal forms have been more effective
for me in the afternoon. Midges in sizes 20 to 24
will also be present much of the time, and fish will
often be selective to one or the other when both
are present. When water is up due to rain, try tiny
Clouser-style dace or darter imitations to help get
deep, and fish them as slowly as possible. For more
information, check Dave Goulet’s website (www.
classicandcustomflyshop.com) or call him at (860)
738-3597.
DELAWARE
Stocked trout will be going into White Clay Creek,
and holdovers from previous stockings will add
to the excitement of dragging a green weenie or
dark woolly bugger in this little stream. On the
Brandywine River some early smallmouth can be
caught by using trout nymphing tactics—go low
and slow with large weighted nymphs and small
weighted streamers, such as the Clouser deep
minnow. For more information, call Terry Peach at
A Marblehead Flyfisher in Centreville (302-
654-6515; www.amarbleheadflyfisher.com).
FLORIDA
March typically means stiff breezes and big
bonefish on the flats of the Florida Keys. Though
conditions rarely seem ideal for those uninitiated
to the casting demands on a wind-blown flat,
they are perfect for drawing huge bonefish and
permit up from the deeper edges. Clousers, tasty
toads and sliders are good fly choices. I prefer
patterns tied larger on 1/0 hooks for the deeper
mudding fish. Browns and tans work best. In the
backcountry waters of Everglades National Park,
we’ll be chasing tailing redfish, juvenile tarpon
and snook as they cruise the quiet tannin-stained
waters in search of a morning meal. A properly
presented deceiver or whistler rarely gets passed
up. Utilize natural colors in the clean water,
and switch to bulkier patterns when the water
gets dirty. A week of settled warm weather will
encourage some larger tarpon to infiltrate the back
bays. These 80-pound plus fish are best pursued
with 11- and 12-weight gear. Traditional bulky
patterns work well, but the current trend is to go
with toad-type flies in darker colors tied on 2/0
and 3/0 hooks. For more info, call Capt. Barry
Hoffman (305-852-6918; www.flatsguide.com).
GEORGIA
March ushers in the first “big bug’’ hatches of
the year. Size-12 quill Gordons, size-14 dark
Hendricksons, and size-12 March browns usually
emerge in that order throughout the month. If
you’re lucky enough to be on the right section of
river at the right time, these insects in adequate
quantities can bring some large trout to the
surface. The Toccoa River tailwater in Blue Ridge,
and the delayed-harvest sections of the Toccoa,
Smith Creek, Chattooga, and Chattahoochee
Rivers are on fire this month. Contact David
Hulsey at Unicoi Outfitters in Blue Ridge
(706-632-1880; www.unicoioutfitters.com) for
current conditions.
IDAHO
There is a small window of opportunity in March
on the Big Wood River in the Sun Valley area. On a
warm day, action can be great on a dry and dropper.
Downstream from Ketchum there are several access
points that will get you into fish. Above town you’ll
find some excellent water as well. Check with
Bill Mason Outfitters (208-622-9305; www.
billmasonoutfitters.com) for current hot spots.
Consider Silver Creek as well. Remember, however,
that much of this water is closed to fishing starting
the end of March.
ILLINOIS
Illinois trout fishers will find some of the best
fishing on Castle Rock Creek in southwest
Wisconsin, Whitewater State Park in southeast
Minnesota, and North and South Bear Creeks in
northeast Iowa. These rivers all offer quality fishing
worth checking out this month. Fish slowly and
methodically for early-season trout using smaller
nymph, scud, and midge patterns on a light tippet.
As for spring steelhead, nearby rivers like the
Milwaukee and Root in Wisconsin, Salt Creek in
Indiana, and the St. Joe in Indiana and Michigan
all rate well for early-season action. Try fishing slow
and deep with a stonefly nymph and/or egg pattern
for the most consistent results. As the water warms,
you’ll find more aggressive fish receptive to chasing
down a streamer swung through spawning riffles.
For more information on early-season trout and
steelhead fishing, and all your fly-fishing needs, stop
by or call T. J. Roy at Orvis Chicago (312-440-
0662; www.orvis.com). And be sure to ask about
upcoming fishing and casting schools, steelhead
seminars, hosted trips, and Orvis Days events.
INDIANA
Some of Indiana’s more popular spring steelhead
hotspots are the mighty St. Joseph River in South
Bend (and Berrien Springs, MI), as well as the
smaller streams like Salt and Trail Creeks. When the
water is low and cold, try dead drifting deep, dark
pools and pockets with an indicator and stonefly
nymph and/or egg. As temperatures rise, try
swinging a dark or brightly colored leech or woolly
bugger through shallower runs for more aggressive
fish. Always be on the look out for fish holding
tight to cover, such as wood or rocks, especially
when the water is low and clear. Even a slight rise
in water temperatures or flush of water from snow
melt or rain can bring in fresh fish in a hurry. For
more information, stop by or call Jon Widboom
at Fly Masters of Indianapolis (317-570-9811;
www.flymasters.com).
IOWA
Iowa trout fishers have plenty of water to choose
from this spring with an open season on all trout
streams and catch-and-release regulations on the
better fisheries. A recent mid winter foray found
me stalking the snow-covered banks of South
Bear Creek where beautifully colored trout ate my
dead-drifted zebra midge with regularity. When
conditions permit, anglers will find wary brown
trout, rainbows and brookies on Spring Branch
and French Creek. Smaller nymphs, scuds, and
midges are the best bets, but carry a few small
dries like Griffith’s gnats and blue-winged olives
(and some 5x or 6x tippet) for the occasional
early-season rising fish. The folks at 2 nd Ave
Bait House & Fly Shop in Des Moines (515-
282-4217; www.Iowaflyfishing.com) can set you
straight on where and when to go. Anyone trout
fishing in Iowa would be wise to check out their
web site for the latest edition of The Complete
Guide to Iowa Trout Streams.
KANSAS
It’s been a long, hard winter with many lakes
and ponds in Kansas still frozen over. K & K Fly
Fishers (913-341-8118) in Shawnee suggests
fly fishermen make the drive to the warmwater
discharge at LaCygne Reservoir. The warmwater
outlet leaving the generation plant holds huddled
masses of black bass, wipers, stripers, and white
bass. All are hungry and will readily strike shad
patterns and Clouser minnows. The shop notes that
100-fish days are possible, but you must find the
schools to really catch big numbers. A boat with a
trolling motor and fully charged battery increase
your chances of finding fish.
KENTUCKY
March typically brings unpredictable water flows
on Kentucky’s tailwaters and streams. Adaptability
is the key to success. Anticipate using sink-tips
and streamers during high water, but also be
prepared for early-season caddis, stonefly, and
BWO hatches. Bass and bream are still moving
slowly, but will be visiting the shallows on warmer
days as they prepare for the spring spawn. Call
The Sporting Tradition at (859) 255-8652 for
more information.
LOUISIANA
Coastal marshes are still holding good numbers
of redfish, but gusting winds caused by passing
cold fronts make it difficult to cast, reports Gulf
Coast Outfitters (225-926-3597) in Dulac.
The secret is to wait two to three days until a front
blows itself out. Redfish will slide off the flats to
sulk in deep holes until bright sunshine warms
the shallows. When the fish go deep, drag a crab
pattern slowly through the deep water and set the
hook at the slightest resistance. Clouser and storm
minnows are good standby patterns. Call the shop
to book a trip.
MAINE
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
has announced that as of January 1, 2008 the
East Outlet of the Kennebec, from the dam on
Moosehead Lake to the Beach Pool, will be open to
fishing year round. The extended fly-fishing-only,
catch-and-release season will now run until April
30 when the regular open season starts. Bravo to the
State of Maine for providing the additional fishing
opportunities for those not faint of heart. Be ready
for winter if you go, and know the conditions.
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