Heading to Hancock area for blue quill, hendrickson and shad fly hatches. Great hatches, beautiful surroundings and plenty of good fish. Dates are subject to change due to big releases or an early season wind storm.

Anyone is welcome to join. In the early season, wading may be somewhat limited depending on flows. 5-7 weight rods will be needed for early season fishing. Cold weather and rain are always possible in that neck of the woods so make sure you have the proper clothing packed. Reply here or PM if interested.

Area streams:
Esopus
Willowemoc
Beaverkill
Neversink
Delaware branches and main stem
Countless small freestones for brookies

Other activities near by:

Catskill Fly Fishing Museum
2-3 nice golf courses
hiking in Catskill Park
lake fishing for giant browns and smallmouth in NYC reservoirs


Estimated dates:

April 28th - May 4th


Additional trips for "major hatches" are planned for:

May 17, 18, 19

June 7, 8, 9

June 21, 22, 23

The hendrickson hatch was pretty much over by the end of april up there the last couple years.
I'm going up april 21st thru 28th

See, you guys can go to the Quill Gordon Summit and then hop right up to the Upper D on 4/28!

Sas,

Can't do both. Probably work right up until the day I leave. Don't forget that I've got to drag along a trailer, pontoon and the dog from hell. You said that you were going to make a trip up this year..... do it

I said I was going to try!!!! I'll be Potter the week of June 7. I might be able to get away for the day.

Quote:

Bill,

I wonder with the two previous winters if the early hatches were due to the mild winters. This winter has been long and cold so I'll be curious to see how it shakes out.

Hope you hit it.

May 17-19 I am good for. The early May trip I am out, as I will be at Harman's. The June trips are a good possibility as well. O and we need to figure a Fall trip out, unless you just want me to pick a date and we will go with that.

Yo kraydog...I can't make the May 2-4 dates as you know, but might be able to swing up the weekend before. Practicing for the contest should give me some leeway...I was gone almost every weekend in May into June last year and the GF wasn't too psyched.
I got her some waders this year so if that works out maybe Ill bring her with sometime

+1 on Mo's comment. By mid May last year, the flows were lower than I've ever seen them and the water temps got up to the 60's before April 1st. We went for Hendricksons last year and got Sulphurs / Grey Fox hatches. Go figure.

The lakes are in the high 90% range so it's likely we'll see spillage this spring (if we get a little rain). Unfortunately, there isn't much snow on the ground to feed the creeks this year.

For 25 years, I've used May 1st as the date to be there. Some years you are early and others you are late. I use the 50 degree mark as a general indication of when it will bust loose. Once the water hits a high of 50 - 52 degress for a few days, it's on. That will also give you better conditions to find activly feeding fish. In general, more fish will rise / chase nymphs in 52 degree water than in 42.

If you miss one hatch, there will probably be a different hatch going on. Change patterns and go get em'.

I'll definitely be making one of those trips, most likely the May 17-19 one.

I will naturally be making the trip a few times. The actually dates are going to have to wait a while and see what goes on. I actually DID go QG Summit- Catskills last year. And it makes me believe I was never really meant to have a regular 40 Hr/week job!

Can't you retire yet?

I could, but I'd starve to death before the Grannoms hatch.

Mmmmmm Grannoms

Quote:

Maurice -

Actually, this winter was very mild until christmas. And the last 2 months were about normal IMO.

FWIW - I've taken off the last week of april specifically to target hendricksons on the D for the last 5 years now.
Of course, last year was quite odd due to the non-winter of "11 and '12. According to the websites, hendricksons started hatching before opening day. I managed to get up there the 3rd week of april for a few days, and just caught the end of them. Went back a week later, and they were over.
In spring of '11 - the river was very high all spring, and I never even went up.
In '08 thru '10 - I hit the hendricksons perfectly the last week of april.
And I remember at least one of those winters - '10, I believe - was very cold and snowy.