March Fly of the Month- Hendrickson

Past HTU president, Cliff Behrens picked our fly of the month. Cliff is the kind of gentleman fly fisher who prefers to fish for trout with a dry fly and a vintage bamboo rod. Of course he would pick the Hendrickson.

In spring, there is one particular mayfly whose presence in the air gets fishermen to patch their waders. It is known as the Hendrickson, Ephemerella subvaria, and it makes its metamorphosis into adulthood just at the time that trout are beginning to feed aggressively and flyfishermen are desperate for any excuse to stand in a river.

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The reason the fishermen are excited is that, like many aquatic insects, Hendricksons synchronize their emergence such that every afternoon for a few weeks, rivers will be full of Hendrickson nymphs dislodging themselves from the rocks on the river bottom and drifting to the surface. This mob-scene emergence is triggered when the water temperature reaches 52-55 degrees Fahrenheit and stays there for a few days.

Please tie up 10 Hendricksons , any stage or style, and bring them to the March Chapter meeting.

February Chapter Meeting- Trout Power!

On Thursday, Feb 13th, HTU member, John Montefusco will talk and show a film about “Trout Power”. Their citizen science efforts seek to identify, map, monitor and advocate for protection of wild and genetically unique brook trout populations in the Adirondacks and wherever they are found throughout New York. Trout Power works closely with the NYS DEC and is currently working on a Presence/ Non-Presence survey in the Silver Lake Wilderness Area.  This information coupled with strong project management and collaborative efforts with the State is helping to alter and change trout management policy in New York State. John will discuss a few of the ongoing projects including Silver lake, Sagamore, Oswagatchie, etc..

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February Fly of the Month- Isonychia Parachute

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This month’s fly was chosen by HTU member Ed Smith. The “Iso” phenomenon lasts from late May through October in our part of the country. You might not see duns on the water because the hatches are generally sporadic, but trout will often respond to an Isonychia dry fly at any time of the day, even in broad daylight. The parachute version is a particularly good searching fly to drum up willing fish in riffles, runs, and smooth water over selective trout. Tie up ten and bring them to the next chapter meeting.