Hendricksons and Caddis

I fished some smaller waters today to avoid the relentless runoff.  It paid in spades.  Rising rainbows~  taking White Midges & Caddis Emergers.   Sub surface was all about Wet Hendricksons  & Copper John.  There is wadable "nice" water if you look around.

Black flies are in full force.  I fully endorce Ole Time Woodsman Fly Dope to keep those little bastards at bay:

My favorite. 

 Good old camp aroma! 

Some products just need to maintained for heritages' sake.

 Made in Maine, USA

High Water Proves Productive

Fished the section of the Schroon River between Starbuckville Dam and County Route 11 last night.  The water level is just brushing the flood stage mark but the fish are willing thanks to water temperatures in the mid 40's.  The stocked trout are learning to become selective.  BHHE worked in one spot but was refused in another.  No hatches yet but that will change very soon. 

The Schroon Lake Commision is once again regulating water levels to suit their own needs so I expect this season to boom for two weeks and bust the rest of the season as in the past. 

Both gates at Starbuckville Dam are full open. 

Lots of water when the trout don't need it and no water when the trout do. 

My advice~ be ready to hammer the river as soon as they close the gates, there will be good fishing for two weeks then the trout will sufficate to to lack of oxygen from warmer water created by low flow.

Here's a picture of one from last night:

Working into the Season

The river is on it's way down but still high for this time of year.  I fished Starbuckville Dam this morning and picked up a couple stocked rainbow then decided to run up to Adirondack to see about something a little bigger.  Three pound smallies on a 5wt. are a blast.

STOCKED

The state came in from Rome and stocked Starbuckville.  The rainbows are smaller than the browns (as usual) but they are all fiesty and willing.   The hot color so far is yellow.   I'm surprised that they stocked in flood conditions but the trout seem smart enough to aviod the crazy water.  Tough to fish.  Best bet is to find some quiet back waters and "fish around"    

The 100 year flood

As I compose this post, the Schroon River is over its' banks.  The USGS gage reading is 10.52 feet (third highest in history).  Not since 1913 has the river seen this amount of water.  Heavy damage to the area down stream in the Warrensburg area is certain.  The fishing has been pushed back a month at best.  What this will do to the rivers geographic features and the fauna is unknow but change is definate.

I'll be posting this evening with pictures

The beginning of a new season

Alec, my buddy & guide apprentice, & I got into some early season browns this morning.   Eventhough things have started out with a neverending push of snowmelt, we managed to find a few willing stocked browns to play with.  Most rivers are still bank full or more with spring run off.  Schroon Lake opened up this week but most of the ponds are still holding a stubborn topping of ice.  Friends lake just gave up the last of its' ice this morning.  If you venture out, use the buddy system & be safe.  The water is exteremely cold one slip could result in a quick case of hypothermia.  Stay tunes for frequent updates as the season progresses.

Stocking has begun

Found these fine gentlemen while on a family outing today