Fly rods for Bass fishing
Opening Day 4 months away
Someone said to me the other day, only 4 more months to opening day. It is a day that I look forward to as long as it is 50 degrees and above. I barely manage to get out of my man cave until june. After all the average temp is about 34 - 44 degrees at the beginning of April in NY. I just can’t bring myself out to ice fish.
Trout fishing for me will start on the Hoosic river around April 15th this year. Water temp 45 - 55 degrees. As a rule water temp will be just about right around 2pm - 5pm. Its a stream that runs west out of Vermont into the Hudson. It is a river that has had its share of trouble. The tanneries all but destroyed its fish population. It is no longer stocked, but it does hold some wild rainbows and browns. What it lacks in fish is made up in the size of fish that are available.
Wide and slow and some fast, riffed water make for some good holding spots for some large fish. Early season above the village of Eagle Bridge puts out some good mayfly hatches. Tan, cream and white are the colors of the spring here. Wets are the preference. A lot of the stream side is unshaded so dries are an afternoon to evening technique. 9″ min and 5 take limit, although in this river catch and release is the best way to go. As it is in most rivers.
One of the best trout fishing techniques I have found is asking owner permission before walking across a land owners property. Some of the best areas are behind some-ones home and common respect goes a long way for all fisher persons. Practicing this keeps the fishing open for all.
As for equipment, early spring brings out my 4wt, 7′ leader, 4x tippet and size 12 - 16 flies.
Davy Cadis sz 14
Hairs Ear sz 14 - 16
Hairs Ear Bead sz 12 - 16
Gold Rib Haired 14 - 16 one of the best when you just don’t know what to use!
March Brown nymph
Streamers:
Matuka sz 12 -14
Zonker sz 12 - 14
Muddler Minnow sz 12 - 14
Peacock Woolly Bugger sz 12 -14 the best of the best get black, brown and red
Wets:
Olive Woolly Worm
Drys:
Adams
Light Cahill
Dark Cahill
Black Midge
Blue winged olive good in early sprint late afternoon when sipping is in progress.
Ant
Daves Hopper
By: Eric Clayton
About the Author:
Lifetime Bass fisherman with a fly rod. For more information about Bass fishing with a fly rod visit:http://www.why-bass.blogspot.com
