Aries Tackle

Quality is our commitment to you!

Opening Trout Season  

    The month of May can be one of the most enjoyable and productive months of the season. You have a good opportunity to hook up with some quality fish while you can enjoy the benefits of spring's arrival. The opening of trout season has been a ritual that has been a big event for every fly fisherman, probably most of the years of their life. It is a date in time that is prepared for, on a yearly basis, well in advance of the actual event. Many start preparations, during the winter months. Usually, First thoughts of the opener begin when thumbing through your favorite fly fishing magazine. As we age, time goes by quicker and before you know it, it's upon us once again.

    It is not only the fishing that gets us excited, but the fact that spring has arrived and we are about to say goodbye to what seemed like a long winter again. Life is returning and we can be rid of the light gray and brown terrain. Many of the leaves are beginning to pop out and more activity is taking place in nature. Although we have not had to deal with insects through the winter we are looking forward to what the weather will be like and if we can expect a good hatch taking place. 

    The best arsenal for opening day is a good selection of nymphs, wet flies and dry flies. Because of the cool temps usually associated with the opener wet flies are, most often, the first offering to what we hope is a hungry trout lying in wait. Your odds are high, due to the fact that the fish you make your presentation to in the morning have not had any pressure for months and the chances of fooling one is good. Some of the best wet flies for opening day are the Black Gnat, Leadwing Coachman, Wickam's Fancy and Royal Coachman. These are best fished by quartering your cast, allowing a dead drift and stripping back. Early trout are very aggressive and you can expect good results from this procedure.

    Nymphs would be the next line of attack. You may now be experiencing a slower pace because you have moved on to different waters and they may have already been fished previous by someone earlier that morning. The more aggressive fish have probably been sore lipped and nymphs could be your best bet to fool the less aggressive fish. Some of the best patterns here would be the Burke, the Prince or the Pheasant Tail. These would be best fished with a quartered cast and allowed to dead drift. Another addition to this group, that many do not consider, is drifting small egg patterns through the holes. Especially if you are on water that is accessible to steelhead. Two good ones are the New York Flea and The Micro Egg. These have produced very well in the early season. Trout have been feeding on eggs naturally for the past few weeks, prior to the opener, during the spawning season of the steelhead.

    Finally, if you are lucky enough to have the weather man cooperate and the sun comes out or the temperatures are moderate, you can expect to take a few off the top with some dry flies. Some of the best in dries would be the Adams, Hendrickson, Blue Dunn, Blue Wing Olive and any of the Quill patterns. These can be deadly when the conditions are right in the first part of trout season. All of those mentioned above are good bets through the first part of the month of May. As a note though, remember to fish smaller sizes in the beginning.

    Whatever your game plan, it is always enjoyable to get out that first time and give chase to the trout. The stories and memories will carry you through until the next trout opener for years to come. And don't forget, keep your eyes open for that patch of Morel Mushrooms. They will go great with your first catch, should you decide to keep a couple.