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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - may2008 - Index

year! The bad news is that spring runoff will be the
heaviest it has been in years. This leaves the May
fisher with two choices: lakes or tailwaters. One of
the best tailwaters in the state is the Williams Fork,
a major tributary to the upper Colorado. While this
river is popular, it does not get as much pressure
as one would expect from a river that consistently
produces 16-inch-plus browns and rainbows. The
reason is simple. To access it, you need to hike in
about a half-mile, mostly uphill. It’s an easy hike,
but enough to discourage the truly lazy. Fishing is
fairly straight forward. Beadhead nymphs and yarn
eggs usually work well this time of year. Watch for
a BWO hatch. For the latest, contact Cutthroat
Anglers (970-262-2878; www.fishcolorado.com).
CONNECTICUT
This state is blessed with great trout streams and
consistent hatches that are in progress as you read
this. The Farmington demands you are prepared
with both caddis and mayflies to meet what happens
to emerge, and I have gone there expecting
blue-winged olives, only to find tan caddis. Then
a noon shower brought forth the BWOs, only in
size 20 instead of the expected 16s. This time of
year it’s wise to carry BWOs in sizes 16 through
22, sulfurs in the same sizes, grey foxes, green
drakes and even March browns (with duns, spinners
and nymphs at hand). Oh yes, and expect the
unexpected. To unravel the confusion, contact Up
Country Fly Fishing (860-379-1952; www.
farmingtonriver.com).
DELAWARE
White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania
is full of trout rising to various mayflies, tan caddis
and various terrestrials, including the ubiquitous
green weenie. If those don’t work, use a nymph
or emerger to entice the browns and rainbows.
The main stem of the Brandywine is yielding
smallmouth bass that take poppers and sliders, or
Clousers, crayfish patterns or woolly buggers. In
the salt, stripers, blues and weakfish are in range
for boaters and shore anglers. Some areas fish best
on incoming tides, and other spots are better on the
outgoing. For more information call Terry Peach at
A Marblehead Flyfisher in Centreville (302-
654-6515; www.amarbleheadflyfisher.com).
FLORIDA
With the passage of cold fronts behind us in the
Florida Keys, all thoughts turn toward the tarpon in
May. These migratory giants meander along invisible
ancient routes as they search for quiet waters to
spawn. Forget your fiberglass fly rod and pawl-click
drag. On average, these fish weigh 60 to 120 pounds
and are pursued with 10- to 12-weight rods and
proven fly reels. Over the past few years, pattern
sizes have decreased and are more regularly tied
on stout 2/0 hooks as the most proficient anglers
attempt to throw longer, but lighter presentations.
Pattern choices change quickly depending on the
location and water quality, but typically the lighter
the color of the bottom, the lighter the fly color;
the darker the bottom or more turbid the water,
the darker the fly and the heavier dressed it will be.
In recent years, many variations of “toad” flies have
become popular and do produce, but I still prefer
traditional patterns and bunny flies. With all the
attention going to the “Silver King,” the shallower
bonefish and permit flats are largely left ignored.
Crab patterns in quiet waters and Clousers for the
deeper fish should produce. In the tranquil waters
of Everglades National Park, the tarpon still take
center stage, but there are plenty of redfish and
snook to throw at as well. Kwan flies and small
toad patterns tied in natural colors will turn heads,
IF you’re tired of pulling on tarpon all day. For
current conditions, contact Capt Barry Hoffman
(305-852-6918; www.flatsguide.com).
GEORGIA
Late spring here in the North Georgia Mountains
is prime time for the Appalachain fly fisher. The
weather is usually perfect, with warm days and cool
nights bringing on tan caddis (size 16) and sulphers
(size 18) in epic proportions to the Toccoa River
tailwater. The small freestone streams are also alive
with bugs and rising trout smashing small attractor
dries, such as yellow humpies (size 16) and Adams
(size 18). The delayed-harvest streams, such as the
upper Toccoa, Amicalola, Chattahoochee, Chattooga
and Smith Creek, are stuffed with fish. Don’t
forget our warmwater opportunities—the bass and
bluegill fishing is on fire this month. Contact David
Hulsey at Unicoi Outfitters in Blue Ridge (706-
632-1880; www.unicoioutfitters.com).
IDAHO
When I read about the Henry’s Fork years ago, I
pictured flat, slow water with impossibly picky trout
slowly rising to my fly then turning in disgust. This
image is accurate for the Railroad Ranch area, but
as I’ve explored the river over the years I’ve learned
that the Henry’s Fork is really many different
waters. One of the more interesting sections is the
Box Canyon area. This is a tailwater that flows
fast over large boulders, producing outstanding
pocket water filled with good size trout that are far
less picky than those in the Railroad Ranch area.
The better news is that as the season opens, big
stoneflies are hatching. To catch some of the bigger
fish in this area, Philip Chavez of World Cast
Anglers (800-654-0676; www.worldcastanglers.
com) suggests you sink a size-4 stonefly nymph in
shallow areas near shore. Also watch for hatches
of caddis or March browns. The Box Canyon and
Upper Mesa Falls Canyon can be wade fished, but
in my experience there is no substitute for a good
guide and a boat. The season does not open until
Memorial Day in some sections, so check with
Philip before venturing out.
ILLINOIS
Despite record-high gas prices, anglers can be found
heading north to Wisconsin or Michigan in search of
much needed trout and warm water opportunities.
Southwest Wisconsin’s Driftless Area offers miles of
quality trout water. Michigan’s AuSable and Pere
Marquette Rivers are also worth the trek. Look for
day-time hatches of BWOs, grey drakes, sulphurs,
and caddis early in the season. As temperatures
warm, larger bugs like brown drakes and giant Hexagenia
will be hatching at nightfall. On slower days,
fish a dry and dropper rig to cover the water, and
don’t be afraid to rip big streamers for cover-loving
browns. Depending on conditions, both lakes and
rivers will offer good post-spawn fishing for bass,
pike, and muskies in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois.
Stop by Trout & Grouse at their new location
in Northfield (847-480-0111; www.troutandgrouse.
com) for the best in gear and advice.
INDIANA
Once water levels stabilize and clarity improves,
river fishing will be quite good smallmouth,
largemouth, rock bass, and various other panfish.
Carp fishing is also a fun option, especially in
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