Housatonic 10_03_08 20/20 Club

[alanb_ct]

Sorry to all, I was lazy about taking pictures today, but I should have, as I landed a big bunch of beauties today. I caught mostly rainbows, ranging in size from 10-20in. Several of the bows had beautiful river colors, and were most likely derived from the spring stocking. It is strange how some of the fish fight like crazy and run all over, and some are more calm. In fact, a few of the fish actually swam right back towards me! The fish are ALL great, however.

The bows wanted none of the gaudy stuff, just small, drab naturals. I caught fish on small baetis imitations in sizes 18 and 20, and caddis larva in a size 16. I actually managed to land a 20in rainbow on a size 20 fly...the 20/20 club (a 20in brown would be really special!). Word to the wise, stop in HRO and heed Torrey's advice-his recommended flies always work.

I also caught a bunch of browns, mostly in the 10-13in range. I also hooked one really large fish in the TMA that got off and may have potentially been a nice holdover brown (have caught 2 others in same area this fall).

I indicator nymphed today and the ThingaMaBobber treated me right. The water clarity is outstanding, the water height near perfect. I saw olives and sulfur-types hatching today, no Isonychias. I also saw a few caddis. It was so nice to have my Z-Axis back. The weather was really part of my success, as it was overcast, gray and lightly raining until mid-afternoon when the sun came out. Water temperature was 58-60deg.

Foliage update: very pretty all around, but nowhere near peak. Most of the hills around the TMA are still mainly green.

A great day in the NW corner.

[Magnet]

Way to go Alain! Would the mahogany brown caddis larvae work there now? Did you just feel like SI nymphing or was there any reason you chose that over Euro-nymphing? In your opinion is the typical habitat in the Housy more suited for SI nymphing?

[alanb_ct]

That fly should work in a chocolate brown. At 750cfs, some of the larger Housy pools fish better with an indicator. Since the fish are a bit more spread out, I like the get a long extended drift. When the hatch is on, however, it's fun to Euro nymph the head of the pool if you are able to wade in far enough.

The year-round average flow for the Housatonic TMA is about 1000cfs. At that flow, much more of the river is accessible to indicator methods. Some of this perception depends on how strong of a wader you are, and how well you know the rocks. Some of the pocket areas in the Hous are real ankle-breakers, as the majority of the rocks are bowling bowl size or larger. In general, it is difficult to wade there.

[mule]

Been lurking here for a couple months, anyways i'm heading up to the Housy for the first time with a couple beginners. I do have a Housy guide that describes a lot of the holes. Any recommendations for a First timer up there with some rookie fly fisherman? I do plan on going into HRO for advise also.

thanks
Jeff

[alanb_ct]

Jeff,

Welcome to TPO! The Hous is probably not the best place for a total beginner fly-fisher, unless you hire an HRO guide to teach and show them around. If your sole objective is to get a new fly fisher to catch one, other rivers, like CT's Salmon River might be better. With that said, if a beginner is fishing the Hous in the fall, a stripped wooly bugger in the larger pools should produce a few fish. There are a lot of fish in the system now, including 1200 browns that were stocked a few weeks back. Try a size 8 black or olive bugger.

As far as locations, that's easy, just drive along Rt. 7 and you will see lots of people fishing. If there is room, you might consider fishing near them.

Good luck!

[AaronJasper]

If you want some good spots try:
Push 'Em Up
The Abutments
Elms
Dun Rollen
Cellar Hole
Sand Hole
One and Two Car Pools and the Park.

If this seems vague please don't let it. All of the major pools have good concentrations of fish and they are in the riffles most of the day given the perfect H20 temps and levels. Have at it and let us know!

[mule]

thanks for the info guys, if you see a minivan with PA plates on sat or sunday, that will be me. Stop over cause i may have an extra beer.

thanks again
jeff

[AaronJasper]

We are having our TPO clinic on Saturday so you will probably see us! So stop by!

[Gregorygob]

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[Gregorygob]

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