Happy, and once again a soggy, Thursday it is folks. The weather has really been playing with us especially where I am in the hills. We have had gorgeous days with sun in the 60s, lots of rainy and windy days, and lots of everything in between. They say April showers bring May flowers, so let’s hope we get some kick ass flowers next month.
Although I did not get out this week to fish for myself, I was lucky enough to take some kiddos to a local trout derby and help a very happy young man named Ben land a decent rainbow. These local club derbies are a great way to teach your kids out to fish, and to support your clubs! It was cold and windy on Saturday but we stuck it out. If you had told my friends and I as kids that we would fish the same derby with our kids over 20 years later, I’m not sure we would have believed you. Memories made around fishing are what this sport is all about.
Shawn the Fisherman has us all jealous as he’s fishing in Bora Bora! They took a charter yesterday inside the lagoon at Bora Bora. Brody and Shawn caught 1 Leatherjack and 3 Bluefin Jacks.
Ryan the Butcher fished a tournament with 70 boats on Webster lake where the water temperature was 46.7 degrees. He reported that it was a very tough day due to pressure from all the boats, and many of the same boats pre fishing. He was able to finish middle of pack scoping some smallies in 20ish feet of water on damiki rig and also said they could not find any shallow yet. Although the fishing made for a pretty rough day the Butcher had a visitor at weigh in that made his day. Little Annelise attended her first weigh in and was totally infatuated by all the boats. She loved the fish and was trying to hold it. No matter how tough the day was it brought amazing memories and that’s what fishing is all about. Memories and family is everything!
Tim TSJ got out to his local hangout where he reports the water temperature started at 53 degrees and and warmed to a high of 57. He said that the bite was still slow, which was surprising to him with the recent warmup. Tim did coerce six fish into playing – 4 largies, 1 smallie, and 1 tank pickerel that came off at the boat commenting that this week, slow finesse presentations worked best for him. Not much longer for the water to warm up for the spawn! Get out there and get some much needed vitamin D!
Bobby Roast Beef of Jigs and Bigs had himself a WEEK. Since the weekend started he has been in the kayak for 5 straight days. He’s fishing for as many species as possible for the Jigs and Bigs Scavenger Hunt Series. And folks this is NOT just for the month of April, so if you missed the April signup and still want to try it out, you can check out the Fishing Chaos app for information about the May Scavenger Hunt!
Mr. Roast Beef started out Saturday morning looking for a variety of fish at a local Hampden County pond, that he mentioned is often overlooked for its bountiful number of species. He reported that water temps were about 53 degrees, wind was blowing about 14mph, and there were some light off and on showers. He caught a half dozen nibbler sized largies on a micro spinnerbait: Silver blade with an 1/8oz. tungsten jig and a 2″ soft plastic swimbait. Lost a tank of a LMB simply because I played it like a total amateur on my BFS combo, but got redemption with a GIANT pin winning Brown Trout! On Sunday he said he simply sent it to a regular haunt of mine where there a little less wind, but certainly not calm. Sunday, he managed a gorgeous brown trout and a dink largemouth on that same micro spinner.
Monday Bobby sent it to a spot affectionately known in the J&B circle as “Congamond Junior”, and reports that it delivered as expected. He caught a mess of nibbler largies, a bluegill (which he needed for the Hunt), and a Chain Pickerel. He said that the baits that were effective were the micro spinner, 1/2oz bladed jig, and a dropshot with a tiny soft plastic worm.
Unfortunately, Tuesday was a bit of a train wreck; first he headed to a spot that was closed and then spent a good part of the day finding water that wouldn’t jive (private). I needed a rainbow trout and figured I’d take another look at the swift river. Last time I was there the water was super high and the current was going at a clip I didn’t think was wise to send it in my kayak. This day was almost at that level, but I tried it. My vessel isn’t the best choice for moderate to fast current, add the wind blowing in the same direction… and I realized fast that mistakes were made! He said that he was spotting fish in the rushing gun clear water, but was not able to fish it effectively. Ultimately BRB lasted under a half hour before heading back up river to the ramp.
Wednesday he headed out to the Berkshires, with a longtime listener and JIGHEAD, and reports that the water temperatures were in the mid to high 40s as we launched and by the end of the day they hit the 51 degree mark. They fished for about an hour without a bite, when a brown trout hit his micro jig like a freight train. I worked that presentation without any results and changed out to a couple other options; again with no success. I had toyed with changing lakes, but decided to work this spot heavily until I needed to hit the road. It paid off; as Bobby managed not only to break his Chain Pickerel but also his Rainbow Trout PB! WAY TO GO MAN! Needed the trout for the derb, and the pickerel was a welcome upgrade from the 9″ monster (giggity) that Congamond Jr. was able to provide. Three records broken in 5 days, what the actual F is happening!?!?
If you have not checked out this week’s episode of Jigs and Bigs, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Noelle Roth New England content creator and if I say so myself, a BADASS lady, who loves to fish joins Bobby and Joe for another great episode!
The weekend isn’t looking too shabby as far as the weather is concerned, so get out there and fish! Stay safe, and tight lines folks!
Wild Woman 