You Never Know Until You Go.

 Let's be clear about a few things. Hendricksons don't hatch when the water is too cold. I've gone out twice when I hoped the sun would shine enough to get the bugs hatching and caught a total of one fish, and one of those times was yesterday. Today was colder and as cloudy as yesterday. My only plan was to mow the grass, which I did. I had no intention of going fishing, until I had to get some papers scanned, signed and returned. My job was to sign, called David at the Troutfitter and he took care of the rest.

Was at the Troutfitter about 1:15 and rather than drive back to the Lordville Estate, I drove down along the river to the Men's Club where "Mike the Cop" was parked beside the Lee Conklin plaque, turned around at the parking area and pulled up next to Mike's car, we both rolled down our windows and shouted at one another, (we are both what might be called hearing challenged, aka deaf). Mike shouted that there were Hendricksons two days ago, (when the sun was out and the water at Hale Eddy was 52), but none yesterday and so far none today. 

There were more than enough boats on the water to take care of any fish that dared to rise so I drove up to Stilesville and noticed that the water along the far bank, (where the bugs hatch and the fish feed), was muddy, (excuse me, "stained"), saw a splashy rise midstream, parked and watched the river. There were bugs on the water and the fish were not along the f

ar bank where they usually are, but in the clear water midstream eating them. Was in the water in the flash of an eye, (who am I kidding),  but at least as fast as the average 83 year old. Fish were going everywhere, so many choices and, it turned out, so little time. Was there less than an hour, was refused by two, hooked and landed four, and then, it was over. Fish, bugs and A-119 all quit. Me just a little later than the bugs and fish.

It was now 3:00, prime time for Hendricksons, I was geared up, so I drove down stream to what has been the warmest part of the river, waded in and was greeted by a decent hatch of paraleps and half a dozen boats. The water is up from last nights rain and wading was dicey, Saw one angler in a boat land a fish, I cast at the half a dozen fish I saw rise within reach, two refused my offering, one ate and came unstuck, and three ended up in the net. Four of the fish caught today were two year olds while the other three were all between 16 and 17 inches.

The outlook - The forecast for this weekend is for warm weather. Look for Hendricksons from Hale Eddy all the way up to Stilesville. Be there by two and stay until five, it will happen. Due to the predicted warm weather, there will also be apple caddis hatching, (ignore them), but be on the stream in the evening for spinner falls of caddis, paraleps, and Hendricksons. 

  

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