Our guest, Mike F. from Seymour, CT, and Charlie Brown Campground, recently retired and celebrating his birthday joined us on the Natchaug, Saturday, June 14…and what a day! Having recently taken up fly fishing again after a few false starts over the years, Mike hooked and landed 10 trout on a caddis pattern in clear, low water with a "triple," brookie, brown and rainbow. Great job Mike! His comments: "I learned a lot and thanks so much guys." We worked on casting earlier and drag free drifts on the water. We set up Mike's outfit after cutting off loops, with a nail-knotted 2' or so butt section to blood-knotted leader to tippet, ending up with 12+ feet of leader, a necessity in the low clear flows now. You know by now we prefer this set-up and NO loop-to-loop. We feel the line/leader turns over much more efficiently with this set up. The butt section must be stiff mono in the 25 lb. test range and Maxima is a good choice.
Levels are dropping fast on the freestones and possibilities still exist for the Salmon River further into central CT. A good rain will extend the fishing but be mindful of water temps and over stressing the trout. We'll try and have a Farmington River report soon as conditions should be perfect!
DRAG FREE!
Friday, June 20, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
A Catskill Odyssey...
TEAM7x set out for the Catskills on May 16 for 3 days on the East and West branches of the Delaware, the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. Since it was raining and more in the forecast, we stopped by the Farmington and Housatonic Rivers on the way; both being unfishable.
Our rental was literally right on the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls. Three inches of rain fell in 6 hours and all systems were raging. Saturday morning we packed it after visiting with Dennis at Catskill Flies, since there would likely be no fishing for several days. Catskill Flies is a must-stop if you're in the area in Roscoe, NY. Great fly shop and Dennis always has a story! Checking all the flows between NY and RI, we found none fishable on Saturday, but one…the Wood River in RI! A 500 mile trip to the Wood which would normally be 35 minutes! Levels were high but fishable and we managed a few fish on emergers with little real surface action.
The Wood did provide a few surprises; a few Gray Drake duns, the "mysterious" mayfly as Thomas Ames writes in his "Hatch Guide to New England Streams," a must for all fly fishermen. We've seen hordes of these spinners at dusk on the Natchaug, but they don't fall until who knows when at night. The Siphlonurus is indeed mysterious! We also ID'd a few golden stoneflies, another large and beautiful insect.
Our rental was literally right on the Beaverkill at Cooks Falls. Three inches of rain fell in 6 hours and all systems were raging. Saturday morning we packed it after visiting with Dennis at Catskill Flies, since there would likely be no fishing for several days. Catskill Flies is a must-stop if you're in the area in Roscoe, NY. Great fly shop and Dennis always has a story! Checking all the flows between NY and RI, we found none fishable on Saturday, but one…the Wood River in RI! A 500 mile trip to the Wood which would normally be 35 minutes! Levels were high but fishable and we managed a few fish on emergers with little real surface action.
The Wood did provide a few surprises; a few Gray Drake duns, the "mysterious" mayfly as Thomas Ames writes in his "Hatch Guide to New England Streams," a must for all fly fishermen. We've seen hordes of these spinners at dusk on the Natchaug, but they don't fall until who knows when at night. The Siphlonurus is indeed mysterious! We also ID'd a few golden stoneflies, another large and beautiful insect.
The Gray Drake
Sunday the Natchaug was fishable; barely. Earlier in the week our guest, Matt, new to the area, hooked a few under similar circumstances. We did introduce him to several sections of the river and he'll be back! We found few rising trout despite caddis and BWO's emerging. Once again emergers took some fish with Monday being mostly the same. The insects are there, the trout not eager to rise with rapid changes in flows and levels.
The best laid plans…and so it goes!
DRAG FREE everybody!
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Be the Trout…Eat MAYFLIES!
Mayflies indeed! It's what we wait for in early Spring. After capturing a few emerging duns on the Natchaug on Sunday the 27th, Team7x member Bob and I concluded that the Quill Gordons have emerged! It was overcast, water temp. 52, air temp a bit lower with off and on showers. Mid afternoon the quills started to show sporadically but the trout showed little interest. A few degrees warmer and we likely would have some rising fish. We had to work to find the occasional rise on this day.
Thanks to Chris at Nickerson Family Campground, we had a GREAT turnout for our free casting clinic; women, men and young folks totaled about 15 people and we had 'em throwing loops, some tight, some not so…! All in all a great time in sketchy weather. Thanks again to Bob for his help with the program and of course my partner in crime, Everett!
This week promises unsettled weather, but it shouldn't be long until the Natchaug and other area rivers break loose. We have guests scheduled at the end this week, so hopefully conditions will settle. Indicators, weighted flies and all that jazz will catch fish cuz they're certainly there, BUT you know by now, that's not our style. We'll wait for those trout to rise and then GAME ON!
DRAG FREE everybody.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
CT Opening Day Trout Season, April 19, 2014
IF the weather holds we should have a fine opening day on the Natchaug and all Connecticut rivers.
Continuing our opening day tradition, we will be hosting our no-charge fly casting clinic at Charlie Brown Campground, Eastford CT, Rt. 198 on the Natchaug River on Saturday from 1-3 pm after the morning mob scene!
You're welcome to join us; we'll have plenty of rods, reels fully equipped for your use, OR bring your gear by and we'll check your butt section, nail, blood, and surgeon's knots and whatever else…(Even loop-to-loop connections!) Look for our signs at the campground entrance.
OPENING DAY TIP: Get away from the worm throwers…walk, explore, walk some more! There are great locations on most all our trout streams that most folks never bother with. Stay close to roads, bridges, easy access points and you'll be sure to find yourself shoulder to shoulder with the opening day one-day wonders!
Stoneflies and early season quills have been showing recently on the Moosup and Willimantic rivers without much surface interest from the trout. This will change with steadier water levels and temps.
The CT DEP hasn't updated it's site recently, but we assume the first round of stocking has been completed. Our larger rivers, Natchaug included, should hold some nice fall holdovers as well.
We're booking "Evenings on the Natchaug" now. Care to join us? We'll work out a convenient day/date and time for some dry fly action!
We'll continue to update the blog as news warrants…in the meantime our PRIVATE mail list continues to grow with special updates and current info…sign up, we'll keep you in the loop!
DRAG FREE!
Tom/Everett
TEAM7x
Continuing our opening day tradition, we will be hosting our no-charge fly casting clinic at Charlie Brown Campground, Eastford CT, Rt. 198 on the Natchaug River on Saturday from 1-3 pm after the morning mob scene!
You're welcome to join us; we'll have plenty of rods, reels fully equipped for your use, OR bring your gear by and we'll check your butt section, nail, blood, and surgeon's knots and whatever else…(Even loop-to-loop connections!) Look for our signs at the campground entrance.
OPENING DAY TIP: Get away from the worm throwers…walk, explore, walk some more! There are great locations on most all our trout streams that most folks never bother with. Stay close to roads, bridges, easy access points and you'll be sure to find yourself shoulder to shoulder with the opening day one-day wonders!
Stoneflies and early season quills have been showing recently on the Moosup and Willimantic rivers without much surface interest from the trout. This will change with steadier water levels and temps.
The CT DEP hasn't updated it's site recently, but we assume the first round of stocking has been completed. Our larger rivers, Natchaug included, should hold some nice fall holdovers as well.
We're booking "Evenings on the Natchaug" now. Care to join us? We'll work out a convenient day/date and time for some dry fly action!
We'll continue to update the blog as news warrants…in the meantime our PRIVATE mail list continues to grow with special updates and current info…sign up, we'll keep you in the loop!
DRAG FREE!
Tom/Everett
TEAM7x
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Fly of the Month
Here's Everett's fly of the month…a CDC Blue Wing Olive. He ties it with the following materials:
Hook size 16 (or smaller) dry
Thread 70 denier olive
Tail Fitch fibers or dun microfibetts
Wing 2 dun cdc feathers
Body Olive dubbing
We'll feature Everett's patterns throughout the season. The water in the year 'round open streams is still high and ice still present. CTDEP has released it's trout stocking report for 2013 here. This is a great resource for scouting out those trout streams and rivers in Connecticut! No update yet on stocking reports for the rivers and streams. Due to water levels and conditions it will likely be a late stocking this year. We would expect stoneflies to be out when the temp hits the 50's, especially on the Moosup River, open all year.
Our traditional opening day fly casting lessons are set for Charlie Brown Campground, Rt. 198 in Eastford, CT. We'll be there after the worm burners quit on April 19th from 1 to 3 pm. If you're in the area stop by and say hello. Parking is always available across from the rest rooms just inside the campground past the office on the left. Once again we're happy to partner with Pam, Steve and Chris at Charlie Brown in offering our no-charge casting clinics.
TIP: Clean those lines! Lines still on your reels from last year? Try running line and leaders thru a dryer sheet to straighten the coiled memory and remove the built up dirt…works great! Check your tippet material while your at it; if its been in your vest or pack forever, now's the time to change. Don't need a break-off to start the season!
Let's hope conditions improve quickly…we're getting close!
Stay in touch and
DRAG FREE!
Friday, January 31, 2014
W.S. Franke, Rodmaker
In sorting through some old paperwork in these cold long days of pre-spring, I came across an invoice for a custom fly rod, built and purchased in 1990.
I met Bill Franke at a Worcester, MA fly fishing show and was instantly impressed with his custom rods, but more importantly with Bill himself. Turns out Bill was not only a builder of fly rods, but an engineer and designer of custom reel seats and the PFOOT, a patented replacement foot for the classic Pfluger reels of the past. Read about Bill here.
To my specs, Bill built a 9' 2 piece 3 weight on a beautiful Powell green blank, western grip and a birds-eye maple with nickel-silver seat. The rod is medium action and a relaxing change from the fast action Sage's I usually take to the water.
With a little silver polish, this beautifully crafted rod is ready for the Spring. I pair it with a classic Orvis CFO III or the Fly Fishing Benefactor's Deschutes I, a great little reel at a super price point.
I look forward to fishing this piece of personal history this year, in the relaxed manner it was intended for, and I will remember Bill Franke in the same way; a quiet gentleman, a craftsman, and a fly fisherman who will be missed by all who came to be in his presence. Thank you for the memories, Bill.
I met Bill Franke at a Worcester, MA fly fishing show and was instantly impressed with his custom rods, but more importantly with Bill himself. Turns out Bill was not only a builder of fly rods, but an engineer and designer of custom reel seats and the PFOOT, a patented replacement foot for the classic Pfluger reels of the past. Read about Bill here.
To my specs, Bill built a 9' 2 piece 3 weight on a beautiful Powell green blank, western grip and a birds-eye maple with nickel-silver seat. The rod is medium action and a relaxing change from the fast action Sage's I usually take to the water.
With a little silver polish, this beautifully crafted rod is ready for the Spring. I pair it with a classic Orvis CFO III or the Fly Fishing Benefactor's Deschutes I, a great little reel at a super price point.
I look forward to fishing this piece of personal history this year, in the relaxed manner it was intended for, and I will remember Bill Franke in the same way; a quiet gentleman, a craftsman, and a fly fisherman who will be missed by all who came to be in his presence. Thank you for the memories, Bill.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
A Fly Fisher's Heaven!
TEAM 7x's Matt and Tom enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to the Patagonia region of Argentina for a week in early November…springtime in South America and the weather was perfect. After a 9+ hour flight from Miami to Buenos Aires and a day of rest and sightseeing in BA, we left for San Martin de los Andes in the heart of the fly fishing mecca…PATAGONIA!
Matt boarding the Citation for our 2 hour flight to San Martin…not a bad way to go at 400+MPH!
We were guests of the San Humberto Lodge after being met by Omar "Banana" Martinez our guide for the week. This 6 generation working estancia borders 18 private miles of the Rio Malleo where we spent 3 glorious days sight fishing for slurping rainbows and browns, while enjoying the beauty of this region; the Volcan Lanin always in the background and wildlife galore.
Matt with a nice rainbow on a caddis!
The Rio Malleo is very much like a big spring creek; clear as gin, plenty of insect life and entirely wadeable…no drift boats! In fact we never saw another soul on this portion of the river. The fish are wild, spook easily but will rise to a well presented dry. On only a few occasions in the always windy afternoons did we go below the surface with a floating nymph or a soft hackle fished in the film. We both fished 5 weights the entire week with floating lines despite bringing 6 weights and assorted sinking lines along.
I spent about 45 minutes and 5 fly changes on this sipper…he finally made the mistake!
Of the rivers and spring creeks I've fished out west, in NY state and in New England, nothing can compare with this absolutely perfect venue for fishing to rising trout! A word about "Banana;" no finer guide with 20 + years of experience throughout the Patagonia region. He knew the river and got us to locations of the 18 mile stretch that would have taken days to scout out on our own. We were on the river from 9 am to 8 pm with a break for a stream side fully prepared lunch, wine, and a "siesta" for Banana!
Matt lands another one. Lanin in the background.
Of course a Maker's Mark (or 2) back at the lodge before a superb dinner always works!
Off to Tipiliuke Lodge on the Rio Chimehuin for the next adventure! Tipiliuke has hosted the ruler of Dubai, Tom Brokaw and many notables through the years and is a beautiful working cattle ranch with "gauchos" and all. Again it's sprawling acerage provides access to miles of private water on the Chimmy. This river is wider, faster flowing than the Malleo and in some ways, reminds me of the Madison. With the spring runoff a bit more noticeable here, we concentrated on the many side channels, back eddys and seams for rising trout. AND they were there!
There's a whole story behind this rainbow…in a 40 mph afternoon Patagonian wind!
Again we spent full days on the river with superb meals at the lodge in the evening. Our final evening on the Chimmy was bittersweet knowing this experience of a lifetime was drawing to a close…
Banana in his TEAM 7x hat! This big brown sipped a size 18 soft hackle off the top.
This memory will help speed along the winter months!
Tom and Matt…TEAM 7x
We were guests of the San Humberto Lodge after being met by Omar "Banana" Martinez our guide for the week. This 6 generation working estancia borders 18 private miles of the Rio Malleo where we spent 3 glorious days sight fishing for slurping rainbows and browns, while enjoying the beauty of this region; the Volcan Lanin always in the background and wildlife galore.
The Rio Malleo is very much like a big spring creek; clear as gin, plenty of insect life and entirely wadeable…no drift boats! In fact we never saw another soul on this portion of the river. The fish are wild, spook easily but will rise to a well presented dry. On only a few occasions in the always windy afternoons did we go below the surface with a floating nymph or a soft hackle fished in the film. We both fished 5 weights the entire week with floating lines despite bringing 6 weights and assorted sinking lines along.
Of the rivers and spring creeks I've fished out west, in NY state and in New England, nothing can compare with this absolutely perfect venue for fishing to rising trout! A word about "Banana;" no finer guide with 20 + years of experience throughout the Patagonia region. He knew the river and got us to locations of the 18 mile stretch that would have taken days to scout out on our own. We were on the river from 9 am to 8 pm with a break for a stream side fully prepared lunch, wine, and a "siesta" for Banana!
Matt lands another one. Lanin in the background.
Off to Tipiliuke Lodge on the Rio Chimehuin for the next adventure! Tipiliuke has hosted the ruler of Dubai, Tom Brokaw and many notables through the years and is a beautiful working cattle ranch with "gauchos" and all. Again it's sprawling acerage provides access to miles of private water on the Chimmy. This river is wider, faster flowing than the Malleo and in some ways, reminds me of the Madison. With the spring runoff a bit more noticeable here, we concentrated on the many side channels, back eddys and seams for rising trout. AND they were there!
Again we spent full days on the river with superb meals at the lodge in the evening. Our final evening on the Chimmy was bittersweet knowing this experience of a lifetime was drawing to a close…
This memory will help speed along the winter months!
Tom and Matt…TEAM 7x
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