stream conditions
01/27/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly, finally a well-done detailed guide on the entire state. I posted up a bunch of clinics/events (mostly free, some paid) for upcoming weekends, check out our "Events" (bottom rt. corner on Home Page). A steady light rain since mid-afternoon yesterday has pretty much wiped out the last of the snow, and is now slowly pushing water levels up. The light rain should end sometime this afternoon. Predicted high of 52 today, is it really late January??? Long range highs in the 30's-40's. Overall the small number of fishermen heading out this Winter have done well. After cold snaps, you may find the river slushed up, so pick your day (ideally sunny & mild) and focus on the afternoons, sunshine usually (but not always) melts off the AM slush.. Lots of cool DVD's & books in stock, come on in & stock up on your fly tying materials too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. No need to start early in the Winter, late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now, as well as the most comfortable. -Torrey01/26/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly, finally a well-done detailed guide on the entire state. I posted up a bunch of free & paid clinics/events for upcoming weekends, check out our "Events" (bottom rt. corner on Home Page). A few patches of snow here & there, but for the most part it's gone. Housy is 1,340cfs & dropping this morning, but rain in the forecast for after 3PM & overnight may bump it up. Highs 40-47 degrees for Friday thru Sunday, hard to believe it's late January, above average temps straight thru the 10 Day Forecast. Although reports from Wednesday were slow (prob due to snowmelt chilling water temps), overall the small number of fishermen heading out this Winter have done well. After cold snaps, you may find the river slushed up, so pick your day (ideally sunny & mild) and focus on the afternoons, sunshine usually (but not always) melts off the AM slush.. Lots of cool DVD's & books in stock, come on in & stock up on your fly tying materials too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. No need to start early in the Winter, late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now, as well as the most comfortable. -Torrey01/25/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly, finally a well-done detailed guide on the entire state. I posted up a bunch of free & paid clinics/events for upcoming weekends, check out our "Events" (bottom rt. corner on Home Page). We had several inches of snow when I left the store on Sunday, now we are mostly down to grass with a little snow still here & there. Highs in the upper 30's to low 40's for the next few days. Housy came up, but at 1,500cfs is still definitely fishable. Long range forecast sees highs mostly in the upper 30's, doable for fishing if you need to scratch that itch. After cold snaps, you may find the river slushed up, so pick your day (ideally sunny & mild) and focus on the afternoons, sunshine usually (but not always) melts off the AM slush.. Lots of cool DVD's & books in stock, come on in & stock up on your fly tying materials too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. No need to start early in the Winter, late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now, as well as the most comfortable. -Torrey01/22/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly, finally a well-done detailed guide on the entire state. I posted up a bunch of free clinics/events for upcoming weekends, check out our "Store Events". Decent snow base on the ground finally, although we didn't get as much as some places did. Sunny with high around 30 today, looks like a nice one to snowshoe or ski. Well into the 40's for Mon/Tues for those of you who want to fish, could be good! Long range forecast sees all highs above freezing with quite a few 40+ degree days, good fishing weather- take advantage of the window of opportunity. After cold snaps, you may find the river slushed up, so pick your day (ideally sunny & mild) and focus on the afternoons, sunshine usually (but not always) melts off the AM slush.. Lots of cool DVD's & books in stock, come on in & stock up on your fly tying materials too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. No need to start early in the Winter, late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now. -Torrey01/21/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly, finally a well-done detailed guide on the entire state. There is about an inch of snow on the ground, with 3-5" on the way for today, it finally looks like Winter- remember we both rent & sell snowshoes. Sunday will be 32 degrees w/ sun & clouds, the rest of the week looks pretty good with highs in the 30's-40's- that's fishin' weather in my books, take advantage of the window of opportunity. After cold snaps, you may find the river slushed up, so pick your day (ideally sunny & mild) and focus on the afternoons, sunshine usually (but not always) melts off the AM slush.. Lots of cool DVD's & books in stock, come on in & stock up on your fly tying materials too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. Winter nymphs to try include Egg Flies, Midge Larva & Pupa, Stones, Princes, Hare's Ears & San Juan Worms. Target the pools & softer water off the current edges. No need to start early in the Winter, late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now. -Torrey01/20/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly, finally a well-done detailed guide on the entire state. A dusting of snow overnight has a thin layer of snow on the ground, but tonight & into Saturday morning another 3-5" is forecasted for you snowshoers & skiers. Snow should be over by late morning. Don't forget we both rent & sell snowshoes, and there are plenty of trails close by. Sunday will see high of 32 and no precipitation. Weather gets milder for Mon/Tues, with highs in the 40's- with current flow of about 900cfs & clear, they will be very fishable days. Pick your fishing days carefully, and during milder weather, try in the afternoons, esp. on sunny days. After cold snaps, you may find the river slushed up, so pick your day & focus on the afternoons, sunshine usaully (but not always) melts it by then.. Lots of cool DVD's & books in stock, come on in & stock up on your fly tying materials too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. Egg flies & various small nymphs were catching Housy trout recently, but also try Stones, Princes, Hare's Ears & San Juan Worms.. Target the pools & softer water off the current edges. No need to start early in the Winter, late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now. -Torrey01/18/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly, finally a well-done detailed guide on the entire state. After a single digit night the Housy is slushed up this morning, but temps will now normalize. Some white stuff is in the forecast for tonight & Saturday- not more than 1" later tonight, and I dont' yet see any quantity predictions for Saturday. Maybe some decent snowshoeing conditions finally? We will wait & see. Housy is medium & clear, fishing pressure is non-existent. Pick your fishing days carefully, and during milder weather, try in the afternoons, esp. on sunny days. After cold snaps, you may find the river slushed up, so pick your day & focus on the afternoons, sunshine usaully (but not always) melts it by then.. Lots of cool DVD's & books in stock, come on in & stock up on your fly tying materials too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. Egg flies & various small nymphs were catching Housy trout recently, but also try Stones, Princes, Hare's Ears & San Juan Worms.. Target the pools & softer water off the current edges. No need to start early in the Winter, late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now. -Torrey01/15/2012
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Hot off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly. Wow, just barely above zero this morning, high of 20 today- at least it's sunny out! One more super-cold night (Sunday), then come Monday it's back to highs in the 30's-40's, with lows from teens to 30's. I like that better. Still no snow in the forecast at all, weird Winter. Slush might be a problem today on the Housy, hopefully the sunshine will clear it out by lunchtime, but no guarantees. Flow is down to almost 1,000cfs (medium flow) & clear. If you do venture out fishing in the Winter, stick to the afternoons- it's most comfortable then & the trout are most active also. While I'm not getting many fishing reports, the one's I've gotten have been mostly good. Small streams were producing trout recently too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. Egg flies & various small nymphs were catching Housy trout recently, but also try Stones, Princes, Hare's Ears & San Juan Worms.. Target the pools & softer water off the current edges, and no need to start early in the Winter. Late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now. -Torrey01/14/2012
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Hof off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly- finally a great book that covers all the fly fishing in the state. Feels like Winter again, cloudy & cool this morning, but still no snow on the ground. Furnace Brook looked very pretty on my drive by it this morning. If you do venture out fishing, stick to the afternoons, as the next two nights will see single-digit lows- this can create slushy conditions, esp. in the mornings. Housy flow is upper end medium & dropping, clarity is very good, fishing pressure is super-light. While I'm not getting many fishing reports, the one's I've gotten have been mostly good. Small streams were producing trout recently too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. Egg flies & various small nymphs were catching Housy trout recently, but also try Stones, Princes, Hare's Ears & San Juan Worms.. Target the pools & softer water off the current edges, and no need to start early in the Winter. Late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now. Remember that very cold nights can produce slushy AM conditions some days, sunshine & rising temps usually (but not always!) clear that out by lunchtime or so most days. -Torrey01/13/2012
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Hof off the press- Flyfisher's Guide to CT, by Ron Merly- finally a great book that covers all the fly fishing in the state, by one of the best fishermen/writers who actually knows it, and I have a bunch in stock. Mild again this morning, almost 40 degrees out already. Another day of sloppy weather, with drizzle/snow showers both possible, then colder but sunny this weekend. Flow bumped up about 200cfs from rain, looks like that may be as much as ii will rise- flow is still what I would call medium. If you venture out fishing this weekend, fish in the afternoons, esp. since colder weatehr & super cold nights Sat & Sun have the potential to slush up the river in the mornings- Saturday is looking like overall the better one to fish. While I'm not getting many fishing reports, the one's I've gotten have been mostly good. Small streams were producing trout recently too. Don't forget to go online & purchase/print out a new license, all 2011 licenses have expired, and we DO NOT have a license machine here. Egg flies & various small nymphs were catching Housy trout recently, but also try Stones, Princes, Hare's Ears & San Juan Worms.. Target the pools & softer water off the current edges, and no need to start early in the Winter. Late morn thru late afternoon is prime time now. Remember that very cold nights can produce slushy AM conditions some days, sunshine & rising temps usually clear that out by lunchtime or so most days. -Torrey
events
03/24/2012
Early Season Nymph & Streamer Clinic w/ Adam, 3/24/12 10AM-2PM- $50 per person
Adam is HRO head guide and a veteran Alaskan guide (still guides there every Summer), and has guided also in Brazil & out West. He has fished extensively in many different places, and is a recent convert to Great Lakes Steelhead. Adam is the real deal, a local guy who eats, sleeps & breathes fishing and guiding. March & April normally see challenging fishing conditions for many- cold & often high water, not too many hatches, and lethargic trout. The antidote is a well-fished streamer or nymph, that's how we get our clients into early season trout. Adam is well-versed in both techniques, and he will show you some of his specialized methods, rigs & flies that he uses to consistently get his clients into fish. Learn how to read the water and adapt to the conditions. Benefit from his years of experience guiding & fishing in diverse geographic regions, he truly is a student of the sport and loves to teach it to others. Clinic cost will be $50, paid in advance, non-refundable, rain or shine. Call the store at 860-672-1010 to book a spot.03/17/2012
Euro/Czech Nymphing Clinic w/ Torrey, 3/17/12 10AM-2PM- $75 per person
The clinic focus will be on the short line/short leader techniques developed & tweaked by the Poles & Czechs in international FF competition. With practice in Euro-style nymphing, the strike detection is extremely high, and the hook-sets are fast- much better than with indicators. Torrey will show you how to construct special leaders (one of the keys to success with this) with droppers & sighters, as well as proper fly pattern selection. Tackle, special knots, strike detection, anchor flies, sighters, reading the water & locating suitable spots, etc. will all be covered. Clinic will be part indoors, part outdoors. While there are some similarities between this and high-stick/short-line USA techniques, make no mistake, this takes it to another level, using weighted flies, no tradtional indicator , long rods, and specially constructed leaders with “sighters”. Those of us using these European methods have seen our catch rates & strike detection go way up. Open your eyes to a deadly way to catch trout in our hard-fished streams, fish that strike indicators miss. Cost is $75, paid in advance, nonrefundable, rain or shine. Bring a pad & pen to take notes and write down leader formulas. Torrey has spent the past several years working hard on perfecting these deadly methods- this is a do not miss clinic!03/10/2012
Free Housatonic Bulls Bridge TMA Orientation w/Torrey, 3/10/12 10AM-2PM
Similar to the orientation I'm doing the weekend before (3/3/12) on the Upper TMA, this one will cover the lower Housy TMA down south off Rt. 7 below Bull's Bridge (another smaller covered bridge). This 2.5 mile TMA is hugely underfished in my opinion, yet offers fishing that can rival or sometimes exceed the Upper TMA. Access is far more limited in this 2.5 mile C&R area, which is in part why it generally receives little pressure. One key thing you will learn is all of the public accesses, some of which are NOT obvious. Another valuable piece of info will be an explanation of the flows (there is a bypass canal that pulls water off right at the damn, an original streambed, and a powerhouse that dumps water back in part way down the TMA)- what the CFS means in practical terms, and how to best adapt your fishing to the flow conditions. Make no doubt about it, this TMA is well stocked and holds trophy trout (up to 24"+), some of which probably never see a fly in their lifetime, and hatches are quite similar to the Upper TMA (which is famous for it's hatches). This will be another interactive orientation where I encourage lots of questions. A fair amount of walking will be involved, so make sure you wear proper footwear/attire, bring a beverage to stay hydrated, and are capable of hiking in a mile on a relatively moderate trail. A plethora of topics will be covered, see details on 3/3 orientation for Upper TMA to learn more. Bring a notepad & pen.03/03/2012
Free Housatonic TMA Orientation w/ Torrey, 3/3/12 10AM-2PM
Our most popular event every year, I'll once again be doing a driving tour of the Upper Housy TMA, covering from just above the Rt 7/Rt 4 concrete bridge all the way to Push-Em-Up. We will make multiple stops along the way, and you will be taught pool names, accesses, hatches, high water/low water spots, trout stocking/holdovers/wild trout info, seasonal changes, effective flies, history of the TMA & PCB's, etc. This is a flexible event where I encourage lots of questions. I recommend bringing or buying (I'll have here for sale) the HFFA's "Fishing the Housatonic River Trout Managment Area" guidebook. I'll also have Ron Merly's excellent new book "Flyfisher's Guide to CT" book also available for sale, it has a nice section on the Housy, Ron is a Housy regular and a damn good fisherman (state record holder for Sea Run Brown Trout). Bring a pad & pen so you can take notes.02/25/2012
Free Rigging & Knot-Tying Clinic w/ Torrey 2/25/12 10AM-1PM
Knowing how to tie the proper knots for different situations & rigging your leader for different flies and techniques are both important skill sets that many people overlook. I'll teach you the 10 second knot that "changed my life", LOL. You only need to learn a few basic knots, and I'll focus on the important ones. I'll also show you different ways you can set up your leader for different flies/techniques- nymphs, dries, streamers & wets. The "X" system, tippet diameters & breaking strength are subjects that many people are misinformed & confused about, I will cut through the BS and help you clearly understand how it all works. Finally I'll touch on the different types of line (flurocarbon, standard mono & copolymer mono) and the pros & cons of each. Bring a notepad & pen.02/18/2012
Free Streamer Tying Clinic with Jim Plante
Class will be on Saturday, February 18th, running from about 10AM to 2PM or so. This is a clinic for somewhat experienced tyers, although novices/low intermediates are welcome to participate too. Jim will go over how to tie single hook and articulated (jointed) flies. He will also show how to tie his original signature streamer patterns which are all proven big fish getters. There will probably be 3-4 patterns covered during the clinic, depending upon class size. Materials will be provided, but please bring vise, tools, and threads.02/11/2012
Free Winter Fishing Clinic w/Torrey, 2/11/12 10AM-noonish
Winter is one of my favorite times of year, mainly due to the solitude you can often find on our often heavily-fished Northeastern trout streams. If you learn how to adapt to the conditions, you can have some surprisingly productive fishing. I'll cover things such as how to dress to be comfortable (VERY important), dealing w/ ice-up guides, effective Winter patterns, productive techniques, where fish migrate to in cold water, etc. I'll try to keep this clinic on the briefer side (ending noonish), that way you can try the techniques out right after the clinic (Mother Nature permitting). Bring a notepad & your fishing gear (if you intend to fish afterwards), this clinic will be strictly indoors.02/04/2012
Free Steelhead Fly Tying Clinic w/ Torrey, 2/4/12 10AM-2PM
I've been fishing & tying flies for the Great Lakes Steelhead fishery for 25+ years now, it just might be my favorite fishing of all. I did a stint as a guide in the Salmon River, NY area when I got out of college. Come to this free clinic and I'll show you some of my most productive patterns, the majority of which are quick & easy to tie, as you tend to lose a lot of flies. Whether you are planning your first trip up there, or are a veteran Great Lakes Steelheader, you should pick up some good flies & fishing advice. Please have at least basic tying skills, and bring your own vice, tools & assorted threads- I'll provide the hooks & tying materials. Class will start at 10AM and run until about 2PM, give or take.12/17/2011
HRO Store Christmas Pary 12/17/11
HRO store Christmas Party will be Saturday, December 17th. Not sure on exact start time yet, probably around noonish or 1PM. All are wecome to attend, there will be plenty of tasty free food & drink, and of course, lots of holiday cheer. Come socialize & do a little holiday shopping.12/03/2011
Free Great Lakes Steelhead Clinic w/ Torrey
12/3/11 from 9AM-12 noon- I (Torrey) have guided & fished for Great Lakes Steelhead for 25+ years, they are truly one of the greatest and most accessible trophy trout fisheries in the world. I'll you get started with the basics you need to be successful there: equipment, flies, rigging, best techniques, leaders, tippet, Switch & Spey rods, fighting big fish, etc. I'll even open my own personal fly boxes and show you some of my pet fly patterns. If you've always been curious, now is the time to get started correctly. The Salmon River in NY, where I primarily guided & where I mostly fish, is only 4 hours away from here. Come pick my brain about that fishery and then give it a go. What you will learn is also applicable to lake-run Browns & Salmon. Please call if you plan to attend, so we have an idea of how many people to expect.11/19/2011
Beginner Fly Tying Clinic with Jim Plante, Saturday November 19th 9AM
Our own guide Jim will get you started out right. He is a signature fly designer for Rainy’s Flies, and also endorsed by Regal Vises. Jim will go over essential techniques & show you how to tie some basic flies that cover different styles- a nymph, dry flies (Catskill and Comparadun), a soft hackle, and a basic streamer like a wooly bugger. If you have a vice, bring it, but if not Jim can provide up to 2 vises to borrow. You will need to bring/buy basic tools (bobbin, scissors, bodkin, whip finisher, hackle pliers) and some basic assorted threads. We will of course have vises & materials for sale. Jim will provide the materials (other than thread) & hooks to tie the patterns during the class. Cost will be $75, paid in advance, nonrefundable, and clinic will run all day, ending sometime in late afternoon (4 or 5PM or thereabouts). After this class and a little practice, you will be ready to attend our free tying clinics on Saturdays in January & February.11/19/2011
Beginning Fly Tying w/ Jim Plante 11/19/11
More info will be added shortly, with exact start/finish time and pricing info. This will be a full day class10/29/2011
"Advanced Trout Tactics" w/ Danny Marino
10/29/11 from 9AM-4PM w/ one hour lunch break- Danny Marino, captain of the 2011 gold medal winning US Youth Fly Fishing Team, and recent individual silver medalist from the 2011 World Youth Fly Fishing Championships in Italy, teaches you some of the deadly techniques he's learned personally from fly fishing greats Joe Humphreys, George Daniels, Vladi Trezbunia and others. Danny's experience in multiple international fly fishing competitions has taught him flies, rigs & techniques not commonly known or practiced by many in North America. These specialized techniques will help you take fish in places you would once pass by, and catch fish that others are unable to. You'll learn all the knots, leaders and rigs that will have you fishing like a world champion in no time. The class will cover 3 different "secret" techniques over the span of 6 hours, with a portion of the time spent on the river so bring all your gear (rod/reel/waders/flies). We will take a one hour break in the middle. I recommend bringing a notepad & pen. Clinic cost is $75, paid in advance and non-refundable, and we are limiting it to 6 people total to keep a good instructor to student ratio. Clinic happens rain or shine, so please bring a raincoat.10/22/2011
Free Housatonic River TMA Orientation w/ Torrey
Free Housatonic TMA Orientation with Torrey, Saturday October 22nd, 9AM until about noonish- I've been fishing this river for over 25 years, and I'll be doing yet another of our most popular free events ever, the river orientation. I'll show you access points, give you pool names, talk about hatches, flies, seasons, river history, high water/low water spots, etc., and also answer any & all questions regarding this fishery. This will be very informal and I welcome and encourage questions. Foliage color will be at it's peak, and the fishing should be good to excellent. You will be done by noon, giving you plenty of time to fish in the afternoon, prime-time. Just show up at the store, it's free, and there is no need to sign up. I will have HFFA's book "Fishing the Housatonic River Trout Management Area" books for sale, and I recommend bringing a pad & pen to take notes, there will be a lot of information.09/24/2011
Indicator Nymph Clinic with HRO guide Jim Plante
Saturday September 24th 10AM-2PM: Covering leader/tippet make up, split shot and indicator placement, gear used, flies, matching the hatch, covering the water, and nymphing/casting techniques. Clinic will be both inside & on the water, so bring your waders and gear, plus a pad & pen to take notes with. Max of 8 people total, cost will be $75 per person, paid in advance & non-refundable, clinic happens rain or shine.
Gift Certificates and FREE clinics!
If you need to give a special gift from our store, or even one of our guided river fishing trips, we have it here.
We also have scads of special FREE clinics we are offering, check them out, sign up, enjoy!
Or if you need to, click here to write to us.
We are always working on our private trout stockings, and are always collecting donations to help to fund them.
If you happen to be in the Great Barrington area check out this great store (or click here to visit their site).
Be sure to take a look in our online store and see some of the deals we are offering on rods and reels.
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