Week of April 4, 2026: Timing is Everything
Pennsylvania Trout Season opened on Saturday. There is about a week left before the trout stocked rivers reopen in New Jersey on April 11th. Of course, our TCAs are busy as the stocked trout respond to their new diet: stoneflies, caddis, and mayflies. Scuds and other animals are there, too, but for the fly angler, this is the best time of year.
The bug pictured above came from a tributary that runs to the Musky. I chased two others with my hat before I grabbed the butterfly net and caught the third. I thought it was a Quill Gordon, but I misidentify bugs all the time. Guide and Fly Tyer, Scott Fisher, put it nicely when he compared mayfly and insect identification like a fun “side quest” to fly fishing. I shared the photo with him and other guides and tyers. We debated a bit. Then, Matt Grobert came by the shop. The photo gave him some pause too…it was not a Blue Quill and not quite a Quill Gordon either. Matt had a guess, but wanted to confirm, so I shared the picture and he let me know what he found. Long story short - it’s a fly I was previously unaware of: Ameletus ludens. The give away? According to Matt: “There is a fork in the main wing M vein [...] just above the hind wing.” How did I miss that? I also learned a new phrase from Matt who added, “Not a fishable hatch,” before concluding, “but cool to see nonetheless.” I suppose that is why this beautiful mayfly was not on the radar.
The fishable flies are abundant right now, but timing is everything. Be prepared for the whole panoply of options: nymphs, wets/soft hackle, and dry flies. Refer to our Hatch Chart or Streamside guide to see what could be out there, but in short: caddis pupae and BWO did well for me. Size and color become important as the timing of each hatch is fairly consistent in Spring and throughout each day the insects are getting ready for their debut. Wet flies or soft hackle emergers from mid-morning on are great behind a nymph before the sun hits the water and can become the lead fly, with an RS2, WD40, or other midge when things warm up. Don’t forget caddis emergers like the sparkle pupa and your regular pheasant tail with a partridge collar. Sizes 12 to 18 will represent naturals and we can keep things kind of drab - grey, greyish blue, olive, brown colors will catch in mayfly or caddis profiles at each stage of life. If these don’t move the fish, try buggers, blow torches, mops, etc.
Watch for feeding fish and try to gauge where they are flashing. Are they laying low near the river bed? Use weighted nymphs. Are they coming up towards the surface or moving side to side a few inches up from where they were? Take off the weight and put on a soft hackle, a bird’s nest, or La Fontaine. Once fish are eating on or just below the surface, try a dry dropper, especially on really warm sunny days. I got out Saturday afternoon, after my shift, and watched a fish rise to a rather large attractor fly an angler was using more as an indicator. It could have been a chubby chernobyl or even a cicada, but the fish was interested to say the least.
The real catch, and timing plays a role, is going to be parking. Things have been busy with the fishable water reduced to TCAs, ponds and lakes, and WTS. Real estate is limited, but the fishing is very good. I had Friday off and barely squeezed into my favorite place on the Musky TCA in the wee morning hours! I was able to fish comfortably and returned late in the day after some errands and lunch. The lot was reduced by half.
Saturday morning I tried the lower end of the KLG and, when I left at 8:30, there were only two spots; however, by Saturday afternoon the Musky lot was nearly empty. Perhaps folks took advantage of PA’s opening day. That, and the holiday, would account for the KLG North lot being absolutely empty this (Sunday) morning! Without being too redundant, timing is everything.
Looking ahead, the weather is a pendulum with a swing on the cooler side early in the week and things warming up towards the weekend and opening day. Remember to check the Stream Conditions before heading out.
The shop is stocked and ready to outfit your next trip.
See you out there,
Roy B.