Posted on April 22 2026
Spent Saturday watching our youngest granddaughter's new lacrosse team (Cortland) demolish another hapless opponent. They have won most of their league games by such a comfortable margin that Alana and the other freshmen have gotten to play most, if not all, of the fourth quarter in almost every game. It was another 80 degree day and I didn't mind missing the fishing one bit.
Sunday, however, was another story. A cold front moved in, (we got three inches of wet, heavy snow in Lafayette). Looked at the water temps that were still way above 50, and said to Jean, "If the bugs hatch, they'll be glued to the water and the fish will go nuts". If anyone was crazy enough to be on the river Sunday, please tell me what I missed.
Monday water temperatures plunged into the low 40's, the wind blew, it snowed. I had an appointment to get my teeth cleaned and walked out with an appointment for a root canal and a crown, (no I don't want to be king), and I will get a second opinion on the root canal.
Tuesday, my fortunes, (I'm not talking money here), took a turn for the better. Had a 9:00 o'clock appointment with my cardiologist, (fyi, you don't pick one, if you live long enough, you are assigned to one). Got mine last fall, and was thinking about throwing him back until he said that all your numbers are good and I really don't need to see you unless you have shortness of breath or chest pains, I didn't kiss him, but I waltzed, (not really), out of his office, got in the car and headed for the other good part of the day.
The fishing - It was cold. Fifty- two was the highest air temp I saw. Water temps never got above 47 anywhere except on the Neversink, (50 there), and no I didn't go, (Jean is cracking down on my gas expenses), in fact, I never left the Town of Hancock. Have never seen Hendricksons hatch with the water temp below 48 degrees, and still haven't. Saw paraleps and Chimarra in modest numbers with some fish up eating them. Fished four places from 3:00 until 7:00, threw at rising fish at each spot, hooked eight fish and landed six, all quality fish between 15 and 18 inches.
Pick any day this week that the weatherman says will be sunny, and be here, both the bugs and fish will be waiting for you.
Howdy 119, Smitty here. I AM crazy and fished the big river a ways down stream of your estate on Sunday. It was cold, windy and…..rising fish were eating Quill Gordon’s! I hooked a very large fish that yanked my rod right down but the fly popped out. The next day was even colder/windier. I lasted a few hours, no action swinging wets or drifting a dry emerger combo. The drop in water temp was too dramatic I suppose.
Cheers sir
Great news things are turning around back east I was beginning to worry for my friends of the system. I’m sure it’s been addressed previously but I am curious of the setup you prefer to land big fish and protect tippet? I have been spoiled the past few years living in the pnw hardly ever needing anything less than 3×...
Good to hear from you A119. I am helping my son putting high tensile up and we have some new calves being born. I am going to try to make it over the weekend. I can’t wait to see some bugs. Adrian reported that he is seeing bugs also. Congrats on landing the fish. Keep the reports coming
Angler119’-I’m with JimD, I was beginning to get concerned, although 4 days without hearing from seems like forever, we do care and glad to hear your enjoying your granddaughters lacrosse and out catching nice fish. I’m fishing today on a cold,
cloudy, crummy day. Could wait for the sun. All My Best Ed
I was beginning to wonder if everything was okay with you.. hadn’t heard from you in a few days. Great you had a successful outing and anytime you’re on the water is a good thing. My cardiologist said basically the same thing to me..”I’ll see you in a year unless you face plant somewhere “..I’ll repeat again what Mickey Mantle once said..” If I’d known that I would live this long I would have taken better care of myself “..Tight lines to everyone..