The Magog Smelt

Hot, Low And Crowded

I fish on rivers that have the same problem each year.  All over New England we have control dams for  holding lake levels that provide constant summer fun and safety yet prove the same result time and time again.  The summer moves forward and the rivers lose their water.  They get Hot, Low And Crowded.

Yesterday, on Independence Day, I went to such a river for the five hours before dark.  I was told the July 4th caddis hatch late in the day was a must experience.  The flow was the lowest so far this year and the water temperature was seventy nine degrees.  Being a resort area, there was little pressure on the river except for a few first timers.  I wasn't surprised what I found.

I started in a run where I had taken a twenty two inch fish a few days before when the flow was twice that of today.  I worked a number of flies and all proved unacceptable.  Some looks but no takers.  Then down to the next rapid and again the same thing.  Splashes and rises but no takers.  Dropping down a tippet size and using a Double Davy knot for assured strength also did not work.  It just had to be that the water was Hot, Low and the fish were packed into small areas that seemed Crowded.

The predicted light show started and the sky opened with substantial down pours.  I fled for the car as the wind picked up and the thunder cracked overhead.  The sound of the early summer leaves being thrashed about is one of those unique sounds of danger that can make the hairs on my arms stand at attention.

As the front passed, I made my way back where I left off.  The rain was substantial enough to color the water a bit yet only decreased the temperature by one degree.  My hope was for that caddis hatch.that had not happened yet.  A few here and there but not what I would call prolific.

First cast with an olive Gary LaFantaine Sparkel Emergent Pupa Dry Fly produced a strong rise but no take.  The second drift put a solid fish on the line and after a sluggish  fight my measure net said eighteen inches.  The warm water was obviously taking a toll on these beautiful fish. A short while later I had another fish of the same size and the evening came to a close.  The hatch never happened.

Most years, this location would be finished for the year weeks ago.  We are always wondering where the fish go.  After coming down from the lake I always thought that when the water started to warm the fish traveled down river.  They vacated to bigger water where cool springs saved their lives.  You know that thing about Rainbows and Salmon being travelers.  Now I am sad to think that they just plain die.

I think that there is a line that I should stop crossing.  This, my thirty sixth day on the fiver since January first should be the last for a while.  That is unless we get some rain soon.

That line is the one that gets to Hot, Low And Crowded just before it gets Hot, Low And Void.

The Hatches Have Started

The Blue Wing Olives and Midges are in full motion. Every time the sun poured over the gravel a hatch created some activity.

I went small yesterday with size 16-18 Feedinator's, Caddis Larva and Jailbirds. The fish were off the eggs and worms willing to eat some tiny emerging fare. It is really feeling like spring and seeing all the bugs made it look that way as well.

This 20" fish ate a #18 Olive Feedinator. 

What was most important was how perfect this fish was. Not a blemish from nose to tail.

The sun felt warm as I made the release.

A Day Of Tradition

January 1st has become a day of tradition for me thanks to a dear friend.  It is a day to fish and start the year in good company.  January 1, 2011 was like no other with the high temperatures over the entire Northeast.  I still felt cold even though the thermometer read well above freezing. We arrived riverside in the dark at 6:30am and were not the first kids on the block.  Our number one location was open and we moved in quickly.

Hours went by without so much as a showing fish.  We were about to give it up when my buddy started to throw a few casts into the rapids below the pool.  He has done this year after year without result.  Like I said this was not a typical year.   One, two and three came quickly to hand falling for his Smelt pattern. The largest was a beautiful 21" bow.  The forth came a bit later and took a black leech.

My day ended with two fish hooked and none landed.  Not exactly what was imagined.  Even so, I love January first because it is a beginning of a New Year as well as the start of my twelve month fishing cycle.  I can also reflect on 2010 with great fondness as many of my days were used in the pursuit of the catch.  Much was learned in a sport where the knowledge is never ending.

William

The Midge Fly - So Many Choices

There is nothing like a good midge.  So many colors and variations will work and they are not only for the winter season.  They are simple to tie and use a limited number of materials.  Take a size 18 or 20 wide gap scud hook with a body of thread, a rib of mylar, mono or fine wire and then choose a wing casing or bead and a bit of dubbing.   Try black thread, silver wire and a silver bead.  It's called the Zebra. Be creative as there are so many different Chironomids that it would be hard to be wrong.

Is It Winter Yet?

Well, I guess it's time to light the fire, tie up some flies, drink hot chocolate and wait for the rights of spring.   You don't buy that line do you?

Winter is a time to make the most of your rivers by changing the mindset of the approach.  Do you know the sound of  snow falling softly through the trees when the wind is still?  Or the gentle crackle of the hard woods swaying after a sharp freeze?  Some of the most memorable days possible are within your grasp right now.  Everything changes and so will you.

Slow - Not only should your fly presentation slow down, but you should move a bit slower and not take any chances of falling or getting wet.  When water temperatures go down so does the metabolic activity of a trout or salmon. They don't chase and tend to be in the deepest and slowest part of the pools. Your challenge is to hand feed the fish something that they will open their mouth to eat.  The other thing that slows is the rate of any insect activity in the river.  Mostly what will be available will be small larva and midges.

Low- Because the speed of things slows dramatically the fish will congregate in places where any food source will settle and be easy to catch.  Look for the deepest holes in the run and fish as low as possible.  If the fish are there they will eat all winter long.  You have a good chance at the largest fish of the year during these times.

Flow- Mid December starts to bring the snow and ice to the rivers of New England.  The further north you are the deeper the freeze.  Rains turn to snow and the ground holds the flow down.  River fluctuations are rare and you can learn the winter spots to go back to each time.  Even way up north there are tail water locations where the water temps stay in the 40's. 

Big & Small- When making fly choices, I tend to go big with marabou leaches in drab colors like black, brown and olive.  I will use this fly with a bead head in various sizes and weights and then add a very small midge type fly as a dropper.  WD40, Zebra, Brassies and other flies that imitate the family Chironomidae will all work.  As there are over 700 different species of these non biting midges in North America you will want to cover a number of colors.  Red, Crimson, olive, copper, black, brown, chartreuse and green are a few good choices.  Mix it up between thread and wire for the bodies.  Also Prince Nymph, Pheasant Tails and Scuds can be effective at times.  Just for that momentary magical time carry a few midge dry flies in white, grizzly and tan.  I have been told of trout feeding on snow flakes.

Some of us have no problem driving from southern New Hampshire all the way to the Great North Woods.  How about the other direction?  There are rivers in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts that are open through the winter as well.  They have fall stocking programs and receive some of the largest fish at this time of year.  What makes the narrow choice of rivers large is that you will be alone for the most part because so many anglers can not put up with the cold or don't like the winter for fishing.   The peace of the woods is paramount during these shortened days. 

Warm-  Stay warm.  Having layers and a good pair of boot foot waders will keep you in good shape.  If you are feeling really cold you should head for the car.  It is very easy to miss judge how cold it gets when you have a river taking your body warmth down stream.  Shorten your day, be very direct in your approach, travel with a buddy and have liquids, food and fire capability with you.  Never walk on shelf ice.

Fly fishing is a twelve month season in most states.  So long as you can handle the line freeze, the feeling of solitude and the shorter time you will find the wonders of winter.  Just pick your days.

William

I took my own advise today, 12-11-10, and landed this beautiful 20" Brown Trout on a #20 Red Midge.