NATCHAUG RIVER April 30, 2011

A beautiful day on the Natchaug...the water level has come down to perfect fishable levels in the last day and today featured Quill Gordons at 2 pm until 5.  Rising fish throughout the particular stretch shown in this video led to Browns in the 14"-16" range all on a Quill body dry. Some BWO's, and Mahogany Duns were also around. As is typical, the hatch ended around 5:00pm, the switch was turned off;  and I sat an observed the water for about an hour rather than cast blindly.  My preference is always rising fish! I observed small spinners, and a host of midges and BWO's but no rising fish.  At around 6:00 I noticed small a small yellow mayfly, one, then two...could it be? YES, sulphurs!  The small,what I believe to be the dorotheas, although its a bit early made an appearance.  Watching the water closely from bankside is SO important and gives one a chance to appreciate what an abundant food source is available to the trout and of course the choices to make in selecting a pattern. I could actually see the dun struggling to emerge almost identical to the photo below, in the surface film imitating the typical emerger pattern we so often use.

The switch should be back on!  Sure enough, one subtle rise then another in typical emerger take fashion.  I selected a size 16 traditional sulphur emerger pattern unlike the reverse hook style in the photo, left the comfortable bank side and a cigar, and promptly took 3 rising fish in a 50 yard stretch including a very nice 16" brown to end the day at dusk!  It' s only going to get better!!  Drag free!

PS:  Sunday, May 1 same great scenario, AND not a soul in sight on this beautiful stretch of river...find out more...see "Evenings on the Natchaug" info bottom of page!

UPDATE:  March Browns now present, May 3.  Plenty of rising trout...the hatch is on!

Eastern CT rivers and streams

Finally the streams of Eastern CT are alive with caddis, early stoneflies and a even a few quills, following several days of rain.  TEAM 7x fished 2 new locations last week, not the Natchaug but 2 other nearby gems and took fish on drys and emergers.  Both of these underfished streams feature deep pools, good stream cover and are easily waded if one doesn't mind a bit of bushwacking to get to some beautiful water!  We observed several large (16+) trout holding in both streams and managed a very nice fat holdover rainbow on a favorite early season  emerger pattern along with decent stockies on caddis dries.  We are adding these streams to our "Evenings on the Natchaug" program both being within 15 minutes of the Natchaug River.  The Natchaug was running a bit higher than usual but we expect lower levels and the insect activity to really peak this last week in April based on forecasts. Drag free!

MOOSUP RIVER prior to Opening Day

Heavy rain over the weekend has put a damper on the fishing in Eastern CT for a few days.  The Moosup River in Central Village (Plainfield) CT is a TMA, catch and release and thus open year round. Prior to the recent rain it was showing lots of early stoneflies and hungry newly stocked fish. Not many looking up as yet, but did manage several on a small black stonefly nymph. This is a lovely stretch of river, directly behind the Quinebaug Trout hatchery, with easy parking and access via the yellow trail. The Moosup empties into the Quinebaug, downstream of the hatchery. Deep runs, pools and riffles amidst wooded forest area provides good cover and cool water. Stocking reports show that some 2200 trout are stocked in the TMA, with 7000 throughout the Moosup system. There are some nice fall holdovers. 

This river originates in RI, and receives little fishing pressure with stocking by RIDEM not seemingly spread out although there are some very nice stretches of river on the RI side.

For now, stonefly nymphs fished deep will produce all the fun you would want! Terrific looking dry fly water and in a few weeks with the emergence of early-season mayflies, the on-top action will materialize! Hopefully by then the pale, dreary looking browns and rainbows will have colored up a bit! There are some BIG fish in this TMA; Fished the Moosup, or any other Eastern CT rivers? Let me know your thoughts! I will not be overly specific with locations in these public posts, but hope to provide some level of interest for those who haven't fished some of the less well-known streams and rivers of Eastern Ct. and RI. Drag free!

TEAM 7x and "Evenings on the Natchaug"

Pre-Season Highlights

As we approach a new season (FINALLY!) just a reminder...an excellent resource to check  the status of trout stocking on your favorite body of water.

TEAM 7x introduces "Evenings on the Natchaug"  guided fly fishing on Eastern Connecticut's finest Trophy Trout stream, the Natchaug River in Eastford/Chaplin, CT. MAP HERE.

SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF BLOG FOR full description

We'll walk and wade to areas on the Natchaug that most anglers never see, in search of rising trout.  The sulphur and caddis hatches on the Natchaug in the Spring are very dependable and bring big fall holdovers to the surface in our favorite runs and pools along the 10 mile stretch of river.

We are encouraging young fly fishers 12 and up to join an adult at no additional charge for a 4+ hour Natchaug fly fishing experience from April thru early July and again in the autumn, depending on water temperatures and levels.   

We also offer individual and group fly casting lessons.  ALL Sage rods/reels and equipment provided courtesy of The Lower Forty Outfitters, in Worcester, MA., a TEAM 7x affiliate.

Tom

Everett