With summer here and hot days ahead there are a few things that fly fishers need to think about before fishing. Yes, sunscreen or wear one of those FATC hoodies to cover your head but more than that we need to understand how water temperature effects the fishing. Trout thrive in temperatures from 50 – 55 degrees. That’s when their metabolism to feed really turns on. Guess what? Our river temperatures have shot well above that now with these 90-degree days. It doesn’t mean we can’t fish. It just means we must be wiser and understand what temperature changes can do to the trout.
Out West many rivers close in the afternoon to fishing. It’s called “Hoot Owl” hours (water temperatures higher than 70 degrees). The rivers are too warm to fish and sustain healthy trout. The trout become lethargic and stressed. It happens here but unfortunately not too many pay any attention to this. So, it is a good idea to carry a water thermometer with you when fishing to test the water temperatures. Doing this will give you a good idea where to fish. Personally, I would head for fast moving water (the temps should be less there) and deep holes where you will see trout congregate because the temps down deep are a little cooler. Either way invest in a water thermometer, it will pay off.
But hey, we had a graduation on this day. Bob Fleet was ready to get his “stamp of approval” on this sunny Thursday in June. Along to congratulate him were his instructor for the day (Kenny Klimes), Jim Craig, Scott Payne, Bill Grelle, Dan Staggenborg, Steve Baker, and Ken Welter. We met at the usual time 6:15am and headed to fish Montauk. If you haven’t been to Montauk yet (after the flood) it surely has changed. So be careful when walking in areas that you “think” aren’t that deep – they just might be!
Everyone scattered throughout the park and Kenny and Bob headed to just below the “boulder” to practice all the techniques along with a little casting. Bob did great and caught a few fish to “graduate” and lost a few fish which technique was discussed. At lunch most guys said it was somewhat of a slow day – remember water temperatures! The afternoon was again to be sunny and hot. Kenny took Bob up to the beginning of the park (Current River) and they fished all the way down to just below the boulder before quitting time. As we passed our guys along the way most were struggling with catching fish. At one point we found Scott who found a deep hole where the trout were congregating, and he politely offered it to Bob. Bob did ok here too. It was once you found a good spot you hung out there for a while. Most techniques caught fish during the day but overall, it was tough day of catching for most. That happens.
We stopped around 5pm and gathered the forces together to decide where we wanted to eat. Sorry Jim, to many refused to go to Pizza Inn so it was Aranda’s Mexican restaurant in Salem. And yes, we did get the older waitress that could barely speak English. But we DID get the orders correct!!
Another graduate done. This latest class has been doing a great job of completing class number six (Graduation on the water). See you on the water.
