Sorry all you winter-weary anglers, but conditions for Opening Day of our trout season don’t appear very rosy, at least as I write this. The forecast calls for another coastal storm moving up just offshore that may bring snow, cold rain and perhaps a mixture of both tomorrow(although the worst weather may be southeast of us). Coupled with stream conditions that were already rather unfriendly to fishing, the opener could be a trying time for those hardy enough to wet their lines.
If you fall into that category, you’d be well advised to dress warmly and plan on fishing the smaller streams and headwater branches where water levels should be lower and the brook trout more susceptible to catching. If, however, you must fish the larger main streams, concentrate on the largest and deepest pools and either fish on or near the bottom and very slowly, as any trout there are apt to be very lethargic due to the cold water. If you plan to use worms as bait, better start looking now, or purchase a supply ahead since the ground is still frozen in many areas.
Opening day flows that are popular with area anglers include Genneganslet , Bowman, Fly, Fly Meadow, and Canasawacta creeks, as well as Handsome, Shawler, Pleasant, Mill, Ludlow. Kelsey, Brackel, Lyon, and Great brooks. Most of these streams flow through private property, many of which are posted, so it’s mandatory that anglers seek permission to fish there. Generally, most landowners will grant permission to fish, even those who normally refuse hunters in the fall season. A wonderful aid for trout anglers is the “Stream Map of New York” which shows all the various trout streams in the state and is available from the Evening Sun.
Many opening day anglers opt to use spinning tackle, which is fine. But on smaller streams and brooks without an overabundance of bankside brush, an 8- or 9-foot fly rod often is a better bet. Why? For one, it allows the user to remain well away from the stream pools and thus avoid spooking trout if the water is clear. It also lets the angler more easily manipulate and control the position of his bait in the area most likely to be where trout are holding. If a sufficient amount of line is let out, it also allows the angler to carefully remove the bait from the water, swing it back to the best re-entry spot, and let it do multiple passes by fish that may not hit on the initial bait pass-by.
Although most trout stocking won’t occur until later in the month, anglers can view the tentatively planned DEC stocking list by going to http://www.lohud.com/article/99999999/DATABASE03/90317014/Spring-trout-stocking-New-York-s-rivers-streams?appSession=291289789886214 on the Internet.
Youth Day at Rockdale On April 9
