All Bets Are Off

It seems like Mother Nature throws us a curve ball (screw ball) more often than she ever has these days.  Typically, the Hendrickson mayfly and Grannom caddis, begin hatching from New Jersey rivers and streams in early April and peak sometime during the second week.

If you bet the farm on that scenario, you're going to go broke.  The Hendricksons/Red Quills have begun to hatch as have the Dark Grannom caddis.  With the rivers being low and clear, and the weather warm, they couldn't wait for opening day to show their faces.  

Here is a photo of a Red Quill, the male Ephemerella subvaria, that hatched  from the South Branch of the Raritan River in Califon yesterday.  Sure looks tasty, doesn't it?

      

Photo by Tim Flagler - Tightline Productions Click photo to enlarge

What does this mean to the NJ angler?  If you want to catch trout during this hatch you only have the option of fishing in the Trout Conservation Areas, of which there are three, and the Wild Trout Streams.  The rest of NJ trout stocked waters are closed until April 7, and by that time, it is very likely that the Hendrickson hatch will be over, or well past peak.  The Dark Grannom hatch will also be past its peak here in NJ on opening day, although the adults do live for 3-4 weeks and will be back to lay their eggs on warmer evenings in April.

Only time will tell if future 2012 hatches are this early, but it seems very likely given the mild, snowless winter we had here in these parts.

If you do want to bet the farm on something, take odds that the TCA's in NJ will be packed with anglers the next two weekends barring high water or some other hilarious prank by Ms. Nature.

In the end, it's just one more thing to keep us guessing; and isn't that what keeps us going back to stand in cold, flowing water to cast a feather and fur adorned hook in an effort to attract a fish?

And they say golf is for idiots.....

What the hell, go for it.............and sharpen your hooks!