Today was the first day of spring.
What a difference a few days can make on the river. Sunday and Monday with cold temps, gale force winds and high cold water, no one was fishing. Today with spring like weather (finally), fishermen were thick as maggots on a road kill.
What a nice day. Migrating birds appeared out of nowhere (if you keep a list and jot down the ones you see, you'll be surprised how much of nature you have missed while standing right in the middle of it). You could hear the grass growing, the wind laid down (except for an occasional toss and turn), two shirts was too many and the Town of Hancock was busy paving parts of Lordville Road.
Had a bear meander out onto Rte. 97 between Hancock and Lordville. He stood and watched me until I was about 100 feet away and then he ducked under the guard rail and ran into the woods. My trip back home tonight had as many deer as cars. Does are dropping their fawns and saying goodbye to their yearlings (without teaching them how to cross the road). Two ran to the side of the road, stopped and then bolted across in front of me. Half mile later a single newly abandoned yearling stood on the solid double line wondering what to do next. Stopped 50 feet away, tooted the horn and the yearling trotted off the road.
Oh yes, the fishing. Keeping in mind that I am but one fisherman and can't be everywhere every day, here is where things seem to be at. The Beaverkill, the Big River (BR), and the Big East (BE) seem to be heading into the "Doldrums" (the period between the Hendricksons and the rest of the big bugs where nothing much happens). The West Branch (WB) and the Upper East Branch (UEB) are on fire with Hendricksons, paraleps and apple caddis in profusion. During the Doldrums seeking solitude is not wise (there is simply nothing going on). Join the crowd, be polite, wear your mask if you are too close and enjoy the challenge of trying to catch fish that know who you are, how well you can cast and who tied the fly you are throwing.
What a nice day. Migrating birds appeared out of nowhere (if you keep a list and jot down the ones you see, you'll be surprised how much of nature you have missed while standing right in the middle of it). You could hear the grass growing, the wind laid down (except for an occasional toss and turn), two shirts was too many and the Town of Hancock was busy paving parts of Lordville Road.
Had a bear meander out onto Rte. 97 between Hancock and Lordville. He stood and watched me until I was about 100 feet away and then he ducked under the guard rail and ran into the woods. My trip back home tonight had as many deer as cars. Does are dropping their fawns and saying goodbye to their yearlings (without teaching them how to cross the road). Two ran to the side of the road, stopped and then bolted across in front of me. Half mile later a single newly abandoned yearling stood on the solid double line wondering what to do next. Stopped 50 feet away, tooted the horn and the yearling trotted off the road.
Oh yes, the fishing. Keeping in mind that I am but one fisherman and can't be everywhere every day, here is where things seem to be at. The Beaverkill, the Big River (BR), and the Big East (BE) seem to be heading into the "Doldrums" (the period between the Hendricksons and the rest of the big bugs where nothing much happens). The West Branch (WB) and the Upper East Branch (UEB) are on fire with Hendricksons, paraleps and apple caddis in profusion. During the Doldrums seeking solitude is not wise (there is simply nothing going on). Join the crowd, be polite, wear your mask if you are too close and enjoy the challenge of trying to catch fish that know who you are, how well you can cast and who tied the fly you are throwing.
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