Sunday, July 1, 2012

Tricos Everywhere, Fishing Nowhere

The tricos have been hatching well lately on New Jersey rivers and streams.   The problem though, is that unless you managed to get on the water when the temps were cooler last week, you are out of luck.  I went down to the South Branch early this morning, and where expected, I saw clouds of tricos dancing in the air above the riffles.  Below, trout rose calmly to the falling spinners, gently sipping them in without a care in the world.  It was as though the trout knew no one would be casting imitations of their food to them today.  The water was 72 degrees, far too warm, even at that early hour to safely hook and land trout.  I checked a few spots on the river, and all of them had the living clouds of dancing tricos in the air above the riffles with the noses of trout poking through the water surface below as they fed on the falling spinners.

Tim Flagler pulls it all together here as he shows us how to tie Eric Stroup's simple trico pattern, then ends with some great footage of a hatch and trout sipping the little buggers with abandon.
  

We may have to head out to PA to hit one of the limestone streams today.  Even then, our expectations will be tempered, as the water temps there may be too high as well.  If not, we'll fish and report back to you, otherwise we may have to partake in a local brew or two and call it a day.

On another note, some coward decided to post a comment after one of my entries the other day, using someone else's web name.  Why anyone would do that is beyond me, except perhaps that they wanted to say something that they know they shouldn't say, and the only way they would do that is to hide behind someone elses identity. 

I have never censored the comments here, and don't intend to start now. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and perspective.  Those who follow my blog know that if they have something to say they can say it, or they send me an email, and I always answer them with respect, even if they disagree with me.  Fly fishing is an ever-evolving process that requires an open mind and flexability.  If you have something to say, go ahead, just do it with the respect that you wish to be treated with in return.  Understand that hostile, or passive-aggressive comments will be ignored - if you want to crash and burn, you can do that on your own.

Finally, I truly appreciate and thank all of you that read my writings.  If you have a comment or a question, please add it to the mix.

Slante'       

10 comments:

Hacklebarney Jimmy said...

Matt,
I hit the SB at LV yesterday morn. The water was cold-68 in one spot and 67 in another. I wet waded and it felt cold and refreshing. The fish shut down about 9am, but before that, they readily ate my loopwing bwo emerger. The biggest was about 9" and all wild brookies (I usually get browns on there)
You must have been downstream I guess?

Hacklebarney Jimmy said...

Also, I fished the Delaware for Smallies on Saturday at Delaware township. When we were launching my friends boat, I did see tons of trico spinners on the water.

Matt Grobert said...

Jimmy, yes, I was in the Califon area. All brookies, that's cool. Maybe the browns were still sleeping.
Trico hatch here in the East is one of the major hatches, I think not enough anglers see them though because they are AM hatches? I have had guys tell me they are not important...... :)

Anonymous said...

Bugs hatching and the water is to warm to fish, isn't that the worst? :)Sweet video! I'l be tying some of these up for sure!

Mr.Q said...

I see lots of Tricos on Spruce run resevoir, when I am cat fishing..they start hatching in the very early AM....

Matt Grobert said...

G - yes it is, expecially when teh fish are rising steadily!!! Good luck, tie some small.
Mr. Q - Tricos are one of the few river and stillwater mayfly hatches. Anything rising to them when you see them?

Anonymous said...

Matt, give me a call! I've got plenty of cold water.

Micah said...

Matt, call me. I've got plenty of cold water.

Matt Grobert said...

Micah, from your site,it looks like you've some good days recently! If I weren't so busy at work, I'd come donw and join you.

Mr. Q said...

Yes, the herring are rising to them everywhere...and sometimes you see one of those spruce run rockets take a herring of the surface...now that is an impressive rise form!!!!