Posted on April 23 2024
Went home Sunday to do a wash and get treatment for my windburn. With the Hancock air temperature at 28 and the water temps all around 41/42 this morning it was clear that we needed a bright sunny day to have bugs, and we got it. All rivers in the system got into paralep hatching temps and most were warm enough for some Hendricksons to appear.
The trip down 17 at 11:30, showed me enough boats along the WB and trailers at the take-outs to send me east. Had lunch and about one-thirty I headed out. Stopped at one of my "look-see" places on the BE where there were a few apple caddis hatching. This usually indicates that the seasonal Hendrickson hatch is well underway. Saw no risers.
Drove up to the Beaverkill where Troutfitter stickers adorned the first two vehicles I encountered,(Thanks Dave). Had no trouble finding two pools with no boats or wade fishermen. Just me and the wind. About three, the bugs showed up, mostly paraleps (every Hendrickson in the river had to have hatched Saturday). Yes, there were Hendricksons, (but sorta like the Anchovies on a Caesar salad, no one wanted to eat them), on the BK at least, it was clearly a paralep day.
The fishing - You waited all winter for this, get here. Hendrickson's are well underway. The guides who always know where and what is happening are all on the lower WB and the BR.
The wind - Suck it up. In Florida they don't call it wind until they give it a name. With the trees bare of leaves, the sun heats up the ground creating thermals during the warmest part of the day (Hendrickson hatching time), it happens every year. You've just got to live with it. (See what I say tomorrow evening, south winds of 20 to 30 are predicted).
Water levels - It's part of the game. NYC wants full reservoirs on June first. If there is a lot of snow melt or spring rains with the reservoirs full or overflowing, (there always is), there will be times where wade fishermen take a hit in the (pick your spot). Either buy a boat or spend time during the season finding places where you can safely fish in high water. Right now the water is dropping, and more wading opportunities are opening up every day.
How'd I do? - Got my tail kicked during the prime hatching period, but when both the hatch and the wind waned, I did just fine. With the hatching over, some of the fish were looking up for bugs on the surface and thankfully, they weren't very fussy.
This morning before work, I read your exhortation about dealing with the wind. I decided to stop prevaricating, “suck it up,” and get out there. I took the day off and had a beautiful time on the Willow despite the breeze. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Ed. thank you!!! it was a lot of fun.They both were jumpers!! Hope to see you on the river!!!!!
Take Care
Angler119- I was remiss in not thanking you for another cool John Denver reference. Congrats. Ed
Angler119- I was remiss in not thanking you for another cool John Denver reference. Congrats. Ed
Dennis- Congratulations! Two 19”ers is a great day anywhere.With the higher water they must have given you a great fight. I was on the Willow and experienced the same conditions that You and Angler 119 had. A heavy Hendrickson and blue quill hatch around 4:00. With cold water(. Peaked at 50) very few risers. Did manage to land a 15” brown and two 16”ers on emergers. No spinners. All in all a fun day. Ed
I fished the BK yesterday and I did ok!! There were a lot of Hendricksons and not many rises but enough to keep me casting. The wind was blowing and gusting pretty good.
The 2fish I landed were 19in. And fat and healthy. It was a good day to be on the water. Hope to get out again over the weekend.