 |
|
Spring is finally upon us in the eastern United States. The flowers are blooming, the grass is turning green, and most importantly, we're getting more days in the 50's than the 30's. This is the time of year when fly fishing can be it's best. The rivers and streams are still fairly cool and periodic rains keep the flows nice and high. While spring fly fishing can be a boon in the east, it can also be down right frustrating. Depending on the time and the amount of rain received, some streams will actually slow the fish down due to an influx of colder water. It's also a time filled with uncertainty with regard to insect activity. Since the air temperature and water temperature are constantly in flux during the spring warm up, hatches can be prolific one day and non existent the next. It's really all about having a good assortment of flies this time of year.
So what should a beginner have in his or her fly box in the spring on the east coast? The best answer to that is variety. Everything from midge larvae imitations like copper johns and zebra midges to terrestrial worm patterns and dries. For dries, it's a good idea to have some Quill Gordons in size 12 to 16, Blue Quills, Hendricksons and smaller Blue Winged Olives (16-18) and Blue Quills. We just fished a popular Central PA stream and did well on black stoneflies too. I was fishing them a little larger than usual in about a size 12, but size 12-16 is the norm. The best bet is to be prepared. The temperatures can rise dramatically during the day and trigger a significant hatch.
One of the other important factors to keep in mind is personal comfort. It's a good idea to dress in layers in the early spring. It's not unlikely to have temperatures in the 30's in the morning which rise to the 60's during the day. You'll want to have something to pack your shed layers in too. There are some great pack style vests out there that combine a vest with a backpack. This is an extremely good idea when the weather can change in a matter of minutes. Not only can you stash your shed layers in the backpack, you can also pack along rain gear without having to wear it to start.
One of the best options out there is the Fishpond Wasatch Tech Fly-Fishing Vest. This pack combines a backpack with a fishing vest in a very nice way. It's got 13 storage compartments, is built tough and has padding so that if you end up packing it fairly heavy, your shoulders wont get sore. It's not a bad price considering it's versatility, and there are some plain vests without all of the features for close to the same price anyway. You can pick one up through Cabela's for $189 by clicking the image below:
Now that the days are longer, we can get more fishing in during the day. This is one of my favorite times of the year to be fishing. Usually you get some overcast days that can be pretty amazing as far as fishing goes. There is something about being on the stream with the scent of blooming flowers in the air after a long cold winter that just makes you feel alive.
