Some Notes on Early Season Fishing: Weather, Hatches, Tactics |
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| Posted by Sugar Creek Ranch Administrator (admin) on Thu Feb 25, 2010 |
| News >> 2010 |
Early season fishing can be a treat. I was at the ranch in early February, arriving with an acute case of cabin fever and winter civilization doldrums. About half of the four days I fished were nice weather, the other half were not that great, but not that bad. It's just amazing to be able to be out there tromping around, casting and catching in early February.
Here's what I look for at SCR to maximize my opportunities in getting fish and large fish:
1. Weather: early season weather is changeable, to say the least! I like using the long-term weather forecasts for Callahan (my favorite is Accuweather). Fishing is best when you get several days in a row where the highs are above 50 and lows above freezing. (see the sample below). The light blue band is what is causing the good weather in the three days previous. I call it the weather bubble...an approaching cold front always pushes a bubble of warm, stable weather ahead of it. Fishing starts to get better the second day after a cold front leaves, and peaks in the day before the arrival of the second cold front. By not freezing during the night, more bugs survive to fly and crawl around the next day.
2. Fish activity: all over, everywhere, fish are most active from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the afternoons being more fishing productive. It's all a matter of air and water temperatures.
3. Fish location: most of the time you will find the fish in the **deepest areas of each lake and pond. Prior to the spring turnover, the warmest water is the deepest water. Deep water also provides more security against natural predators. Early season fish are spooky. In addition to dodging predators all winter, they suddenly see unfamiliar creatures waving fly rods on the shoreline.
**deep water: the SE portion of Lone Bear, the far E portion of the New Pond, off the lone tree point on the east shore of New Pond, far east portion of the South Pond estuary, etc.
4. Patterns: the patterns of choice lately have been caddis, caddis and then caddis. My most successful pattern this last trip was a peacock bodied, beadhead caddis pupa fished below an indicator.
5. If you are fishing for numbers, you'll find them, but the fish are generally on the smaller side. Large fish cannot sustain their metabolism in cold water chasing after small bugs and competing against aggressive teenagers for limited food. The big fish stay deep, avoid acrobatics, and look for big, SLOW, easily captured meals like sculpins and crawdads. This prey is most often found in rocky areas. If you are prospecting for trophy rainbows, go deep, slow, and big.
6. Hatch progression: right now caddis, midges and buggers. As the weather starts to warm ants and beetles become very effective. When the mayflies start to appear, generally they are small and dark-bodied. Cripple patterns are particularly effective. In the last two years, I caught the largest early season rainbow in March and had my best day of fishing for the whole season in April.
A reminder that you can get a 10% discount on any 2010 booking made and paid by Feb. 28th. This seasonal discount is not available combined with another offer.
We are currently working on preparing the Outdoor Channel "Familiar Waters" Father's Day program for online viewing. Host Mike Pawlawski brought dads, kids, and film crew to Sugar Creek Ranch last year in April. It's an enjoyable episode that gives viewers a good look at the ranch.
Wes Wada
Last changed: Sun Mar 07, 2010 at 7:57 AM
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