Week of February 23rd 2025: Mind the Redd

Week of February 23rd

Thankfully, the waters and weather will warm up.  This week already may see temperatures nearing fifty degrees. 

I encourage anglers who are also conservation minded to take a moment to refresh ourselves on how to spot redds, or more simply, fish nests.  A search on the internet reveals that brown and brook trout typically spawn in the late fall and early winter.  Rainbows, conversely, spawn in the spring when temperatures reach a consistent forty-two degrees or higher and more daylight becomes available.  Consider, too, the brook trout eggs, laid in the fall, are hatching and can stay near their redd until beg enough to find cover.

“Mind the Redd” is an organization worth checking out and this article from Fly Lords Magazine is a good place to start.  You find useful links to videos and more specific information on trout spawning activity and how to stay clear of redds in a deep dive from the Wild Trout Trust.

Fly fishing can be more than a passion or hobby.  Our beloved shop owners, Lindsey and Abraham, partnered with Project Healing Waters and members from the New Jersey Fly Tyers Guild to host a tying event this weekend; everyone had a great time. Remember, too, on March 8th, the Jim Holland Tying Jam is gathering fly tyers who will tie flies to donate to Casting for Recovery and other worthy organizations.  Everyone is welcome to come by (cash donations accepted at the door) and check out their work as they “fill up” a giant board throughout the day.   See you out there, Roy B.