Thanks to all who visited with us at the recent CFFA Expo!

TIME TO PREPARE FOR SPRING TROUT SEASON

WITH YEAR ROUND TROUT SEASON IN CT, FALL HOLDOVERS IN THE NATCHAUG RIVER ARE NOT UNCOMMON

We hope you find the following info useful!

TEAM 7x Top tips and patterns for the Natchaug

Brown (with a bit of orange) and black CDC emergers are excellent all

around choices when caddis are present. Fished on top with dry flotant

(NO paste!) or swung in front of trout rolling on emergers just under the

surface make these patterns highly effective especially in early season

when the quills emerge. Later, when the black caddis start to show at

dusk, this is a go-to fly as trout chase the fast rising emergers to the

surface. TIP: Study the rise form…rolling rise, no visible head, tie on

an emerger.

Tan and grey caddis are prevalent on the Natchaug and surrounding rivers and streams throughout the season. This deer hair crystal caddis in size 16 is one of our favorites when trout are taking the adult caddis on top. TIP: If you’re refused on a size 14, drop down to a 16. With low, clear water, be sure your tippet is long enough… 6x or below

The Griffith gnat, size 18 is a must for any stream with lots of

midge activity. The Natchaug is no exception and this time-tested

pattern imitates a cluster of midge. TIP: If you are unsuccessful

raising a feeding trout to caddis or other larger visible duns, tie on a

G. gnat and remember to position yourself to get a drag free drift

from up or side stream especially in skinny water. Line slap and

leader will almost always spook a trout feeding on the surface.

Sulphur hatches can vary from season to season. There are

many patterns and the trout can be picky as to size, color and style

of the dun. They provide some spectacular dry fly

action in May and June, especially in the evenings.

TIP: Look closely at the water when sulphurs are on; larger trout

may be keying on the emerger or spinner stage as the duns float by

undisturbed.

The sulphur emerger is very effective when sulphur duns are first

visible. We have seen evenings where duns cover the water,

getting a free downstream ride, while the trout feed on

the emerging insect. Again this can be a difficult pattern to imitate

but we find this soft hackle pattern works well in the

surface film if fished down and into the feeding trout.

And finally, the TEAM7x favorite, the grey soft hackle.

Our soft hackles are tied to float, and when the wings are greased up

and lie flat, this pattern represents a cripple or stillborn. We use

the softie as a general searching pattern or especially at the start

of a caddis hatch. Ungreased and fished in the surface film, or

just below the surface, the softie is a very effective emerger for a

variety of mayflies and caddis. TIP: Can’t seem to “match the

hatch?” Tie on a soft hackle. If we had only ONE fly to take to

the river, this is it! Also, when early season small stoneflies are

present, this is a VERY effective pattern for the sipping risers!

Earlier season patterns of note: Little black stoneflies, blue quill, hendricksons, (season to season) march browns. BWO’s are always handy in your fly box, and of course rusty spinners.