March 28, 2026: Looking Good!
Of course it is the weekends that the mercury drops back to cold, cold, cold, but it was a great week in the TCAs for anglers. Next week looks really nice, too. The ice-melt raised the levels early in the month and some storms kept levels above average and fishable for the past week. Even seasoned waders would be wise to exercise caution as we re-enter the water. This is the time of year for wading staffs to probe pools and runs than can become deeper or more shallow than we may remember. Remember to exercise common sense and etiquette in the limited areas where fishing is allowed during the stocking period.
I was able to check out both the KLG and Point Mountain and the stockies look great this year! They are beautifully colored and quite frisky! When the temperature was colder, or fishing quick and deep runs, I found luck with a heavy trout streamer on a jig-hook. Thursday afternoon, when air temperatures topped 70 degrees, a little black stone fly, #18 was the pattern they keyed in on. Mine was sunk behind a regular BH hare’s ear and a #4 splitshot and drifted without an indicator. I eventually lost the first LBS that was so successful for about forty minutes, so I tried a few other similar sized nymphs and midges, but my success rate plummeted. Luckily, I found another one of the first and once again, fish were interested. Here is the link for Tim’s video I used to tie LB Stones. I often replace the stretch tube abdomen with another black material, or just thread. The legs and antenna are what I think was key on Friday.
Other guides reported success with Frenchie-style pheasant tail nymphs or swinging streamers with a trout spey.
As we move into mayfly hatches, remember the latest hatch is in addition to, and not always in place of, the previous bug. The forsythia is beginning to pop, which means be on the look out for the Quills, Hendricksons and March Browns. Certainly carry March Brown and Hendo nymphs this coming week as temperatures will once again reach 70 degrees on Tuesday before rain drops the high to below 50 by Thursday. BWOs, caddis, and stoneflies are still the most reliable right now, but I love seeing how many patterns will catch fish more than how many fish one pattern catches. I am excited to fish a few ponds as they remain open during the stocking period. The open water is a great place to work on casting for distance and improve technique.
Swing by for all your tying and angling needs. Don’t forget to check the conditions and hatch chart before you fish (or shop) and mark your calendars for Trout Fest!
See you out there,
Roy B.