24: Back in the New Hartford Groove

May2

It’s hard to believe, but yesterday was the first time this year I got out on the Farmington River — and most of the afternoon was dedicated not to fishing, but errands and work. Poor me, having to spend an afternoon in an office that included shirtsleeve weather, sunshine, Hendricksons, trout, and good company!

Besides fishing errands — new boots and two nets on the item list — I spent some time distributing info sheets on gathering fly patterns and photos for the book. Then I hightailed it to the river to get some shots of guide Steve Hogan with his client. Finally, I spent an hour idly swinging a team of three wets. I’d missed the earlier hatch window, but I stuck a pile of juvy Atlantic salmon and then finally a rambunctious stocker rainbow.

I’d given Steve a tungsten bead head soft-hackled Hendrickson, and later in the day he sent me this photo, taken upriver. Well done, Mark! While there were some Hendricksons in the air, the hatch has progressed to north of the PTMA. Church Pool was devoid of anglers at 3pm, so there’s your proof. **(Photo by Steve Hogan)**

From the Archives: Soft Hackles and Wet Flies on The Orvis Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer

Apr30

This one’s only about a year old, but in case you missed it, it’s certainly a must-listen — especially if you like to swing wets, if you’re considering learning how to do so, or even if you need a refresher course. Here’s the link to the original post, and within that you’ll find a link to the podcast. Enjoy, and beware: you’re about to start catching more fish.

**You should be fishing this pattern, the Dark Hendrickson winged wet, right now.**

Getting closer to returning to a semblance of normal

Apr29

As I write this, we are moved in to the new house but still unpacking and getting organized. The old house is sold and we bid it a very fond farewell. This week will be (I hope) the final week of archival posts. I’d like to thank you for your patience during this incredibly busy time.

Speaking of incredibly busy, I’m about to resume formal work on my upcoming book, the Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River. I’m going to be giving you, my readers, a chance to participate in that endeavor — stay tuned for details!

Mini Steelhead Report: The Last of the Dropbacks

Apr26

I ventured with #3 Son Gordo to ye olde steelhead mill, AKA Pulaski, NY’s Salmon River, for two days of post-spawn steelhead fishing. Due to an unusually mild winter, the spawn was very early this year. what should have been prime time numbers was picking away and scrapping for every fish. The weather was chilly, but bright and sunny, and predictably the fish were holding in the deepest, fastest, most bubbly water they could find. I was 2-for-3 on Monday and 3-for-4 on Tuesday with a couple skippers in the mix. Gordo, who was spin fishing under a float, put one in the hoop each day. All steelhead are special, so it was a treat to have our hard work and persistence rewarded. See you in November!

This post-spawn hen slammed a size 6 olive Woolly Bugger in a fast-moving slot near the head of the run. Moments before, I’d taken a two-pound skipper on the same fly as I was stripping it in to recast. Thank you both for playing!

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Ocean” in Surfcaster’s Journal 83

Apr24

Fly fishing for striped bass isn’t all steely eyes, fierce focus, and grim countenance. Sometimes the jester shows up, and hilarity ensues. You can read all about it in the newest issue of Surfcaster’s Journal, number 83 to be exact. SJ is an e-zine and you need a subscription, but it’s only 20 bucks for a year. This one’s a good one, folks — cue the laugh track!

From the Archives: “Streamer Kings: Three Big Fly Gurus Explain How to Catch More (and Larger) Trout Using Meaty Patterns”

Apr16

With all this high water, and some warmer temperatures, it seems like a good time for a refresher course on streamers. I wrote this after interviewing George Daniel, Chad Johnson, and Tommy Lynch, but really, they’re the ones doing the talking. I just showed up and asked good questions!

Read “Streamer Kings”

**This chunkette took a wet fly, but I often incorporate wet fly tactics into my streamer game. I suppose that’s a whole different article!**

Help to protect river herring populations: action needed

Apr11

It’s no secret that striped bass love to eat river herring. So it should come as no surprise to anyone that rivers that once attracted prodigious numbers of river herring are seeing fewer stripers as well. I could tell about places I used to fish where an — ahem — average night was 5-6 bass, many of them 10 pounds or better. (And sometimes, much, much better.) Those days are long gone, mostly because so are the river herring.

Here’s where you come in. Please send an email to the New England Fishery Management Council and tell them you value river herring populations, and support enhancing river herring and shad avoidance and catch reduction in the Atlantic herring fishery. Your email is due by 8am, Tuesday April 30, but why wait? Bang out that email now, and make your voice heard! You can find all the details in the infographic below.

**Graphic from the April 2024 issue of The Fisherman. Article by Kevin Job.**

Ladies and Gentlemen, Steve Culton is Writing a Book!

Apr9

I’m super-excited to announce that I just signed a book contract with Stackpole. The working title is Fly Fishing Guide to the Farmington River. This will be a comprehensive resource for the West Branch, from the river to trout to maps to access to hatches to how-to-and-when. I plan on including information from local experts and guides, as well as a selection of must-have fly patterns. If you have any of Stackpole’s “Fly Fishing Guide To” river books, you know the level of detail I’ll be delivering.

The final manuscript isn’t due for over a year, so it’s going to take some time for this to get to press. In the meantime, please wish me luck as I set off on this big adventure. As always, I thank you for your support and readership, and of course I’ll keep you updated as the project progresses.

Coming soon to a bookshelf near you! While this isn’t the working title or cover shot, the description is spot-on.

From the Archives: The best soft hackles and wet flies for the Hendrickson hatch

Apr4

Yeah, baby, it’s getting to be about that time. OK, maybe not for a couple more weeks. We’ll see what Ma Nature has in mind as far as warmth and rain are concerned. But indeed it is coming. And right now is the perfect time for you to stock the box with your favorite Hendrickson patterns.

If you’re not fishing under the Hendrickson hatch with wet flies, you’re missing out. In fact, you’re missing out on some of the best trout-on-the-fly action of the year. Tie these up, place them over a rise, and hold on. Oh. And be prepared to clip one or two flies off your three-fly team. Such are the travails of the angler getting doubles and triples!

The Best Soft Hackles and Wet Flies for Fishing the Hendrickson Hatch.

From the Archives: A Wet Fly Hen Hackle Primer

Apr2

On the surface, you may be unthrilled (rather than enthralled) by this topic. But I think it’s worth your time, especially if you tie soft hackles. I get a lot of questions about hen hackle types, and this article covers the subject nicely.

A Wet Fly Hen Hackle Primer.