Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - may2008 - Index

small baitfish in the earliest part of the season. Don’t
hesitate to start the month with leech and streamer
patterns fished deep in the water column, and as
the old saying goes. “If you aren’t loosing flies you,
you’re not deep enough.” Perch spawn will be an
important food source until the bugs take over. For
more information, contact the Adirondack Sport
Shop (518-946-2605; awulff@whiteface.net).
NORTH CAROLINA
Green drakes in sizes 10 and 12, and yellow sally
stoneflies in sizes 14 and 16, are the small-stream
hatches this month. Pack an assortment of pheasant
tails, hare’s ears, copper Johns, and prince
nymphs. Between hatches try attractor patterns,
like royal Wullfs, humpies, and terrestrials in
sizes 12 to 16. Nearby on the South Holston
and Watauga Rivers, sulfur, caddis, and cranefly
hatches will be cranking up. Nymphs and emerger
patterns are just as important as dries to these ultra-selective
tailwater trout. Other recommended
patterns include size-8 and -10 woolly buggers,
sculpins, girdle bugs, and Griffith’s gnats in sizes
20 and 22 to match hatching midges. The staff
at Appalachian Angler (828-963-5050) can
provide additional information.
NORTH DAKOTA
Depending on water temperatures and clarity, this
under-fished region will see improved fishing activity
for largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike,
and walleye. Carp and panfish are another reliable
option in the spring when fishing is slow. Depending
on the species, fly choice can include everything
from top-water poppers and divers to streamers,
beadhead woolly buggers, weighted nymphs, and
Clousers. Look for fish holding close to visible
structure, current seams, and slower back eddies.
Once the water clears ,the upper Sheyenne River is
one of the more productive springtime waters for
hard-fighting smallmouth, walleye, and pike. For the
latest information stop by and see Scott Stenshoel,
the fly fishing manager at Scheels Sports in Fargo
(701-298-2918; www.scheels.com).
OHIO
In the northern part of the state, many of the
better-known steelhead fisheries also hold smallies
and panfish in their upper reaches. Rivers like the
Rocky and Grand are always worth a shot. Downstate,
the Mad River offers trout in the up-stream
sections and smallies and panfish below. Your warm
water fly selection should include beadhead woolly
buggers (white, chartreuse, back, brown), crayfish
imitations, and top-water poppers and divers
(black, olive, yellow). When bugs are hatching,
don’t be surprised to see smallmouth and panfish
rising to small dries. Make a visit to Mad River
Outfitters in Columbus (614-451-0363; www.
madriveroutfitters.com).
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OKLAHOMA
Bass and bluegill fishing at the Wichita Mountains
Wildlife Refuge is going nuts this month, according
to Cache Creek Fly Shop (580-353-1724) in
Lawton. Bass have been hammering rubber-legged
poppers and hopper patterns. Bluegill are hitting the
large poppers too, but they can’t get them in their
mouths. Panfish fans should scale down accordingly.
There are 12 lakes in the refuge, and each has its own
personality. A few have good populations of crappie.
Pin a few beadhead nymphs and chrome domes in
your fly box if you decide to fish wet flies.
OREGON
Thunder and Lightning is the strange name of an
incredible little trout river tucked into the remote
desert mountains on the eastern edge of the state
that may well be one of Oregon’s finest spots to
welcome early spring. Donner and Blitzen (the
German variation of Thunder and Lighting) flows
from Steens Mountain through Page Springs and
into the hearts of anyone who has ever waved a 4weight
and a parachute Wulff over its tight runs and
languid pools. Nothing complicated about this little
river—strike indicators with pheasant tail, prince
and hare’s ear nymphs, big Wulff dries, a selection
of mayflies, midges, and toward June, add caddis.
Standard 9-foot leaders necking down to 5X tippet
(3X if the water is a little cloudy) work fine. Bring
lots of drinking water, watch for rattlesnakes, and
walk and cast. Camping can be found at Page Springs
just south of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and
downstream at Blitzen Crossing/Indian Creek. Because
of its exotic location, intriguing name, redband
rainbows to 20 inches plus, and the fact that it’s just
a perfect place to shake off winter blahs, makes this
little river a must for any Oregon angler.
PENNSYLVANIA
The Little Juniata River in central PA has over
25 miles of public trout water available to anglers
with varying degrees of access along the way. The
Little J often sits in the shadow of its tributary,
Spruce Creek, but it is a first class trout stream in
its own right. Once almost dead water, the Little
J now hosts prolific hatches of aquatic insects and
the trout appreciate it. For information, gear or
guiding on the river, contact Allen and Pam Bright
at Spruce Creek Outfitters in Spruce Creek
(814-632-3071; www.sprucecreekoutfitters.com).
The Juniata River, up from its confluence with
the Susquehanna River north of Duncannon, is
prime smallmouth bass water. Brian Shumaker
at Susquehanna River Guides in New Cumberland
(717-774-2307; www.susqriverguides.
com) floats anglers down this productive stretch
of water. The West Branch and Main Stem of the
Delaware River are, according to Al Caucci at his
Delaware River Club (800-6-MAYFLY; www.
mayfly.com), the talk of the nation for big, wild
trout. Al’s club is a full service fly-fishing resort
on the banks of the West Branch, replete with
lodge, campground, fly shop and RV spots. Their
fly-fishing schools and guided fly fishing are some
of the most professional in the nation.
RHODE ISLAND
Fishing in Rhode Island coastal waters really gets
started this month, when striped bass move up
Narragansett Bay to hunt herring and bunker, often
coinciding with worm activity. During the day,
fish feeding on herring usually can be found deep
near runs, and it takes big flies to interest them.
As evening approaches (particularly when there is
worm activity) the bass will move to the surface,
where smaller bunker patterns and crease flies are
deadly. Under the right conditions this can result in
fish so numerous you’ll fish until you can’t hold the
rod any more. Narragansett Bay can be a magical
place. For more info, contact Snowfly Charters
(401-439-0953), White Ghost Charters (401-
828-9465) or Capts. Kelly and Lynn Smith of
C-Devil Sportfishing (401-364-9774).
SOUTH CAROLINA
Cobia season is here! The Lowcountry has a unique
fishery for the cobia as they make their way through
the river. Plan your trip around the slack tide for
sight casting to this awesome fish. A red and yellow
Flashtail Whistler (2/0 hook) with a 10-, 11-, or
12-weight rod will help you hook up and do battle.
For more information, call Lowcountry Outfitters
(843-837-6100) to fish aboard the Fly Boy
Charters. But hurry—Cobia fishing began in mid
April and will move onto other waters by mid June.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Melting snow pack and plenty of spring rain bodes
well for fly fishers in the Black Hills. Popular fly
choices this time of year include the ever-popular
San Juan Worm, Yuk-bug, black stonefly, zug-bug,
and copper John nymphs. On warmer days fish will
be rising to mayfly, midge, and caddis hatches. Fishing
parachute Adams and nymph dropper is a good
way to weed out the possibilities. In high water
conditions, your best option may be pounding the
edges or dredging holes with a large Clouser. Rapid
Creek, Spearfish, and Castle Creeks are just a few
of the better options. Hans Stephenson at Dakota
Angler & Outfitter in Rapid City (605-341-
2450; www.flyfishsd.com) has everything you need
to make the most of the Black Hill’s fishery.
TENNESSEE
May and June are two of this angler’s favorite
months to fish in the Smoky Mountains. The
streams are usually full of cool water and the trout
are somewhat predictable. That’s not to say that
you’ll always have that perfect day, but those banner
days usually happen for many of us during these
months. The threat of cold fronts and floods are
gone and the hatches are frequent and varied. In the
Smoky Mountains National Park there are over 800
miles of fishable trout streams at elevations from
1,200 to 3,000 feet and higher, so the water temperatures
and the stages of the seasons change the
further up you go. The mayfly hatches are matched
by the lighter colored dry flies. Light Cahills, sulphur
patterns and little yellow stoneflies are good
examples. The trout are not usually that picky in
May or June, and sometimes a parachute Adams in
size 12 or 14 will work fine. For more information,
contact Little River Outfitters in Townsend
(877-448-3474; www.littleriveroutfitters.com).
TEXAS
The eastern shorelines of large reservoirs, such as
Toledo Bend and Conroe, are providing plenty of
action on poppers, according to Orvis Houston
(713-783-2111). Key on shorelines with lots of
submerged structure and make repeated casts close
to logs and submerged timber. The largemouth bass
bite has been good up until noon, and then again
from late afternoon to dusk. The Llano River is also
fishing well for Guadalupe bass and bream.
Although the tides have been exceptionally high
this month, the Texas Flyfishers had a successful
outing to Port O’Connor and everyone caught