After tornado warnings last week that resulted in downed trees and power lines, it’s been a week of welcome respite. Streams and rivers received some much-needed rain, and temperatures reverted to autumn-like 60s and 70s. 

The Beaverkill and Willowemoc are about at the median average flow, with water temperatures in the low 70s. Fly hatches continue to be Blue-Winged Olives, Isonychias, Sulphurs and Light Cahills. Some anglers have done well with Rusty Spinners in all sizes, and tan caddis in sizes #16 - #18.

Our favorite fly has always been the Adams; although it imitates nothing closely, it resembles several different flies, and can be fished successfully during many mayfly hatches, from Hendricksons to Isonychias, all throughout the fishing season. In fact, in his book “Lee Wulff on Flies” the late Lee Wulff, talks about the Adams “For the natural dry fly, I’d choose the Adams. It looks like an imitation of so many natural insects that I feel it’s invaluable. The Adams is mottled, has semi-translucent wings and a body of medium color density. I believe it is the buggiest-looking dry fly of all...” (Lee, remembered from his days of The American Sportsman on TV, moved with his wife Joan Wulff, who will turn 100 this October, to the upper Beaverkill in 1978 to establish their renowned Wulff School of Fly Fishing, which is still active today.)

During hatches of caddis flies, or when fishing in the fast water, it’s the Elk Hair Caddis; the lighter-colored Elk Hair is easy to see and its hollow hair is buoyant, especially in riffle areas. 

When there is little or no fly activity on the water, the Royal Wulff, which definitely imitates nothing in nature, is a great attractor fly and will take fish when no rises are apparent. Lee also wrote that his preferred attractor dry fly is the Royal Wulff, stating “I think it is the most exciting-looking dry fly.”  It is also Joan Wulff’s favorite; she told me that she always begins her fishing with Royal Wulff.

For wet flies, the Royal Coachman is our first choice; and again in Lee Wulff On Flies, Lee wrote “I find it hard to pick a favorite among the wet-fly attractors, but I’ll choose the Royal Coachman because of its flashy coloration….for an all-around attractor wet fly, I’ll stick with the Royal Coachman.”

 The most important thing to remember when fly-fishing is not necessarily trying to choose the “right” fly, but rather fishing with confidence in the fly you’ve chosen. In addition, you should be confident in choosing your position on the water, as well as confident in your casting.

When entering the stream, do so quietly (especially in low water) using the bank whenever possible rather than walking noisily through the water upstream or down. When you see a rise, choose a position across from and slightly downstream of your “target” and remember to make each cast your best - anticipate that the fish will “take” the fly - don’t “hope” that it will. Having confidence in your cast, and confidence in your choice of flies, will often make the difference in catching or not catching trout. Oftentimes fly-fishers will choose a fly, cast it out a few times and, if they were not successful in taking a fish, change to a different fly. Especially during a hatch, this can result in several minutes’ lost time of casting to rising fish. We’ve found that it’s better to make each cast “count”, using that same fly. Learn to “time” the rise, noticing exactly where the fish is rising, and how long in between - then make your cast so that you are able to place the fly on a “collision course” with the fish. Always anticipate that the fish will take the fly and be ready to set the hook; don’t “hope” that the fish will take the fly. This tiny adjustment can make the difference in catching or missing a fish. 

When casting, remember to make each cast the best you can, not wasting poor casts, which can put rising fish down or discourage any others that might otherwise be feeding beneath the surface or preparing to rise to a fly. Be aware of your surroundings (overhanging tree branches, tall grass and brush behind you) and make adjustments as necessary to result in smooth, unobstructed casting. 

Fishing with confidence is the key to being a good trout fisher - and will no doubt result in more successful fishing trips.