We are now fully into trout season and mother nature has obliged anglers for the most part. Temperatures have been seasonal and most streams and creeks have good flows and decent clarity. Water temperatures are still on the low side. The special regulations section of Cayuga Creek, for example, was a cold 40 degrees on Friday, April 5. A local brook in Vestal was even colder at 32 to 34 degrees. There is still snow in some of the higher elevations and cold groundwater and run-off will assure water temps remain on the low side. For now, black stoneflies and midges continue to be the only insect activity.
Second stockings of trout are underway in the Southern Tier of NY. These stockings consist of one year old and the more prized two year old brown trout in the following local waters:
- April 9 - Oquaga Creek
- April 10 - Cayuta Creek (Tioga County)
- April 11 - East Branch Owego Creek
- April 12 - West Branch Owego Creek
Stocking will continue next week, including the stocking of Broome County flood control ponds and local lakes as well as some more creeks and streams in Tioga and Broome County.
The West Branch Angler in Hancock, NY will host its 'Come Hell or High Water' Annual Fly Fishing Festival on Saturday, April 13. Events include The Fly Fishing Film Tour, the Fly Fishing 101, 201, and Spey Casting sessions conducted by Orvis, the Fly Games, a series of fly fishing competitions in distance, strength, and power casting, endurance (fighting a big fish), and agility in rigging. There will also be 13 different speakers / presenters on hand covering fly tying and fly fishing. Note that some of these events are free while others involve a fee and/or advanced registration. Contact the shop at 607-467-5525 for more information.
Looking to the week ahead, we are in for an odd twist in terms of the weather. Day-time highs should reach the upper 50's to low 60's at the start of the week, with a slight cooling trend for the rest of the week. Precipitation in the form of rain will hang with us for most of the week. The warming trend should help to increase water temperatures and as they increase over 40 degrees, mayflies and caddis should start to appear. That should result in improved trout activity. Keep an eye on the precipitation. Even small amounts could dirty creeks and streams. If that's the case, break out the streamers and go hunting for those big holdover and wild browns.
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