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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - may2008 - Index

catching opportunities of the year. Thanks to above
average snowfall, most rivers should hold decent
flows through the fishing season. Major hatches
will be in full force across the Driftless Area from
southeast Minnesota to Wisconsin and Iowa. Although
smaller mayflies and caddis dominate early,
warmer temperatures will bring brown drakes and
Hexagenia to life. Late spring is also a great time
for smallmouth and largemouth bass, pike, and
musky on lakes and some rivers. For the latest on
spring fishing conditions, stop by or call the knowledgeable
folks at The Fly Angler in Minneapolis
(763-572-0717; www.mnflyangler.com).
MISSISSIPPI
The expansive wilderness found along the border
of Mississippi and Louisiana is truly a redfish and
speckled trout paradise. With warming spring
temps, big reds will be hunting in shallow water
feeding on crabs and mullet. This can be some of
the finest shallow-water sight fishing found anywhere.
These fish can average up to 15 pounds. Big
crab and mullet patterns produce well. These fish
are much more forgiving to beginning anglers than
their Florida cousins. For more information, contact
Jason Stacy at Shallow Water Expeditions (850-
534-4343; www.ShallowWaterExpeditions.com).
MISSOURI
Rainbow trout are the ticket this month, according
to the friendly staff at Larry’s Sporting Goods
(417-532-8678) in Lebanon. The shop is pointing
anglers to Bennett Springs State Park. The creek is
stocked and divided into three zones. Zone 1 is fly
fishing only and has yielded the biggest fish. High
water this spring is forcing anglers to fish under the
film. Dark green woolly buggers, San Juan worms,
cracklebacks, and grey scuds are productive. The
creek should clear by June and anglers can return
to casting dry flies.
MONTANA
May is caddis time on the lower Madison River.
Below the Ennis Lake Dam you’ll find large browns
and rainbows taking caddis on the surface. While
there are many places to wade fish, the real secret
is to find actively feeding fish. To do this it’s best
to float the river. When an area with feeding fish is
discovered, park the boat and wade fish for them.
The best fly is a peacock caddis—an elk hair with a
peacock herl body. When searching between rising
fish, try adding a a caddis nymph dropper. Don’t be
surprised by some of the large rainbows you’ll catch.
Recovery from the big whirling disease problem is
under way and rainbow populations, while still not
what they used to be, are on the rebound. For more
information contact Madison River Fishing
Company (800-227-7127; www.mrfc.com).
NEBRASKA
With warmer days and nights it’s not uncommon to
find largemouth bass, panfish, carp, and pike within
casting range either cruising shallow or along deeper
breaks in search of an easy meal. Depending on
the lake, some fish may be active and shallow only
during low light of morning and evening. During
the day, look for fish holding along deeper structure
requiring the use of sink-tip lines. When fishing
subsurface, use Clousers, Deceivers, or leech patterns.
Lakes Ogallala, Zorinski, Verdon, and Walnut
Creek offer largemouth bass and other warm
water species. For the latest Nebraska fishing reports
and your fly fishing needs, stop by Backwoods in
Omaha (402-345-0303; www.backwoods.com).
NEVADA
Driving up over a desert ridge a large lake came
into view. Although there was only the gentlest of
breezes, the water looked disturbed. Approaching
the lake the cause became obvious. The entire surface
was covered in rising rainbows . . . thousands of
them! This fly-fisher’s heaven was Illipah Reservoir
near Ely, Nevada. Fly-fishing heaven in the middle
of dry, hot Nevada? Not what you would expect,
but the news gets even better. A little to the east of
Ely is Comins Lake, noted for its trophy browns.
Use a float tube and strip an olive woolly worm
through gaps in the reeds to attract browns that
can top 20 inches. In general, when there is no
hatch the flies of choice are wet and green. Sports
World (775-289-8886) can offer you advice and
some locally designed special flies.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Water flows for the Connecticut and Androscoggin
Rivers should be superb due to the record snowfalls
this past winter. Last winter was more typical of
my childhood, and will serve to refill groundwater
supplies in the Great North Woods. Things on the
Androscoggin look great. 2007 was one for the record
books, and 2008 shows real promise to be just
as productive. Hatches were on time and the fish
responded with reckless abandon, both salmon and
even brook trout up to five pounds in fast water. For
more information, contact Ken Hastings at (603)
922-3800 or via e-mail at ospreynh@together.net
NEW JERSEY
The Garden State coast from Raritan Bay and
Sandy Hook to Atlantic City and beyond is heating
up: stripers, bluefish, weakfish and others are in
range of fly anglers in boats and from the beaches.
Top-water action early and late for stripers and
blues makes the saltwater experience all the more
fun. Bob’s Bangers, Clousers and Deceivers, and a
number of local fly patterns score on this potpourri
of eager fish. For a guided trip--from Great Bay
through Barnegat Bay to Raritan Bay--either on
a boat or from the beach/jetties--call the Shore
Catch Guide Service in Manasquan (732-
528-1861; www.shorecatch.com). Their stable of
knowledgeable guides has fished these waters for
decades and knows the terrain and the fish.
NEW MEXICO
While most New Mexico streams are less fishable
during spring runoff, Coyote Creek near Angel Fire
thrives on the high water. Mark Stewart of Dos
Amigos Anglers (505-377-6226) tells me that
even when the water is a bit off color the fishing
can be very good. These are not fussy trout. They
are, however, particularly addicted to pheasant tails.
You’ll find wild browns and lots of stocked rainbows
at Coyote Creek State Park and at a public fishing
area upstream. This upper area also offers wellstocked
ponds, so if the water is too muddy there
is an alternative. There are also occasional hatches
of midges, baetis and caddis but, as I said, these
trout are not fussy so a standard parachute, caddis
or a small stimulator can be very effective.
NEW YORK
Fly hatches in the Adirondacks for the upcoming
month include Hendricksons, blue duns, quill
Gordons and blue-winged olives. They should provide
good fishing as the July through September
water shortages of last season (with thankfully cool
nights) gave way to a good snow pack this winter.
All seems on schedule, with fish feeding deep on
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