March 23, 2017

Fishing Activity

It is a sunny day here in Rockford. Yes there is still a chill in the air, but both robins and woodcock have return to the Rogue River Valley. The past couple of days, stoneflies have been active and this has spurred fish feeding activity. It has also spurred questions regarding will our hatches continue and dry fly activity begin earlier than average? My answer is maybe. My crystal ball regarding the weather is cloudy at best. What I do know is the above average water temps and bright days will accelerate insect maturity. Aquatic insects do not understand air temperatures only water temperatures. Although the last couple of nights have been below freezing, our water temperatures continue to climb throughout the day. This in theory will allow bugs to mature and hatch sooner. The only way to know is to be on the water. This time of the year, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm give or take a few minutes, will be the magical time when our early stones and mayflies will be most active in the adult stages, the nymphs prior. If our weather regresses, so will the bugs, but for now it is time to grab the trout rods and take advantage of our early season dry fly fishing.