Week of March 1st & 9th 2025: Stones & BWOs
Week of March 1st
Well, the whole “March in like a lamb…” thing was true - for one day. March 1st was lovely! I caught a fish very early in the morning and the air and temperature was about 40 degrees at 6 am. A WD40 did the trick. I also love the WD40 plus. This #18 was fished below a stonefly nymph drifted by a rock in the Ken Lockwood Gorge. It was my only fish from about 6 am to 8am, but it put up a valiant fight. Blue Winged Olives are hearty bugs and the WD40 does nicely to imitate the emerging nymphs.
The previous afternoon, the last day of February, I was able to get out to witness fairly significant numbers of Blue Winged Olive midge flies in the glare of the afternoon sun. This confirms reports I saw last week suggesting that, in addition to stoneflies, the BWOs are here. Fish are taking these, Frenchie style euro nymphs in blow torch or hotspot varieties, and, of course, wooly buggers. The best part of the day remains from about ten in the morning to around two or three in the afternoon.
And then March switched course and the lamb-like day turned overnight and things got down right frigid! Morning temperatures were below 20F and it was windy. Luckily, most of the ice has receded from the trail in the KLG and the parking lots are just about clear of ice. The path through the gorge still has patches of ice, but enough rock tips poke through for traction.
I intended to walk down to the trestle this morning, but I could see fish in the “meat-hole” and couldn’t resist. Before long, I saw one rise, then another, and another. The Olives and other midges didn’t notice the overnight drop and the fish were feeding in the water column all the way up to the surface. They were not feeding on my flies, but the activity kept my heart beating fast enough that I didn’t notice my fingers were frozen until it was time to open the store.
Week of March 9 - Late Winter
Each year, around this time, I look for the colonies of Trout Lilies along Musky. They tell us that we have turned a corner and I found some on Thursday this week. These blooms coincide with early spring-like days. We should not get our hopes too high, however, as the tug-of-war between seasons can be disorienting for both bugs and anglers.
There is one more week before the public waters are closed for stocking and it looks like a nice, warm week coming. There have been reports of stoneflies skittering across the surface and I can attest to fish rising - for the stones or for BWO blooms that occur.
Find the times of day when the mercury in the thermometer moves. These periods of fluctuation stimulate activity in insects and the fish who eat them.
Looking ahead, things are going to warm up again and that is good news for anglers. We have about two weeks before the public stocking begins and rivers close on March 17th for about two weeks until opening day on April 5th.
For now, small streamers, RS2, WD40, other midges and stoneflies are on the menu; come by for materials and fill your boxes in anticipation for the May Fly cycle - the Quills (Blue and Red), Hendricksons, and March Browns…
Last Saturday was the first ever Jim Holland Tying Jam here in Califon. Fly tying enthusiasts from New York and New Jersey came together to fill the “big fly box” with bugs to be donated to Project Healing Waters and other veteran oriented organizations. It was a fantastic event. Put a pin in early March, 2026, for the second annual JHTJ!
New products are in. Check out the newest waders from Patagonia and Paramount; each offer great protection while wading and are priced to meet the budget of every angler. Umpqua, Fishpond, and Patagonia have also updated their vests and pack systems for 2025. Swing in to compare recent developments in the industry.
Guideline rods, paired with a Fario reel, are for those with a mind on scientific engineering or try Moonlit glass rods that have a deep flex and light touch for intimate fishing situations.
Finally, the Buckskin, from Korkers, are still one sale - for just over $100 after tax while supplies last! Whatever you need, we likely have it, or can get it. Shop our online store to see what’s new or swing in!
See you out there, Roy B.