Post by bluedog on Jun 28, 2007 8:44:40 GMT -5
Chittenango Creek, New York. Had my best trout fishing of the year Sunday afternoon and Monday morning - not in terms of total fish caught or large trout; but for total biomass.
This is a stocked brown trout fishery in Madison County, about 25 miles SW of Syracuse. The stocked section begins about 1/4 mi. below the spectacular Chittenango Falls. According to the New York DEC, 12,000 brown trout were stocked this Spring in 2 size classes, 8-9 in. and 12 -15 in. Apparently, the locals ignore this stretch after the stocking truck pulls out, as I had this all to myself both days. Caught about 30 fish in 5-6 hours, over the 2 days. Every brown trout was in the 9 - 13 in. range.
Now here's the great part - all trout were caught on Mr. Rapidan dry flies. These Yankee trout have never seen a Mr. Rapidan pattern and can't resist. I only saw 2 rise forms the entire time, so surface feeding was not heavy, but they were slamming dries. Another difference from Brook Trout fishing: these hatchery fish are not strong and stream-reared so they tend to inhabit the quiet tails of the pools and slow runs. I spotted one or two big browns, maybe 18 in. but could not coax them to strike. It was good action and I'm looking forward to going back.
This is a stocked brown trout fishery in Madison County, about 25 miles SW of Syracuse. The stocked section begins about 1/4 mi. below the spectacular Chittenango Falls. According to the New York DEC, 12,000 brown trout were stocked this Spring in 2 size classes, 8-9 in. and 12 -15 in. Apparently, the locals ignore this stretch after the stocking truck pulls out, as I had this all to myself both days. Caught about 30 fish in 5-6 hours, over the 2 days. Every brown trout was in the 9 - 13 in. range.
Now here's the great part - all trout were caught on Mr. Rapidan dry flies. These Yankee trout have never seen a Mr. Rapidan pattern and can't resist. I only saw 2 rise forms the entire time, so surface feeding was not heavy, but they were slamming dries. Another difference from Brook Trout fishing: these hatchery fish are not strong and stream-reared so they tend to inhabit the quiet tails of the pools and slow runs. I spotted one or two big browns, maybe 18 in. but could not coax them to strike. It was good action and I'm looking forward to going back.