COMMENTS:
Found on the Housatonic in Lee: J. Ryall spool. Call Chris Brennan (413-247-3381)
Our Product Picks for July:
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We have the Hodgman waders with the waterproof zippers - they are durable and breathable, and have gotten great reviews.
Entomology/Hatch Clinic with Tom Ames- date to be announced
The author of "Hatch Guide for New England Streams" will do another
clinic on the Housy- the last ones he did were very popular. It will
include a slide show, on stream rock rolling and insect sampling,
plenty of time for Q&A , and you will get an autographed copy of
his book too. Bring your gear and apply your newfound knowledge fishing
after the clinic. A working knowledge of what trout feed on will help
you to catch trout, especially during frustrating hatches, and it's fun
to learn about and see what they actually eat. This is a great hands-on
experience. Clinic runs from 1-5PM, cost is $100- paid in advance,
nonrefundable, rain or shine.
************************************* ************************************* ************************************* Our Product Picks for June:
C&F Small System Fly Boxes- Neat idea: the "base" box is
a shell that you snap inserts into and out off, so you can configure
your boxes toward whatever the current hatches are. Or change them to
nymphs, wets, streamers, etc. All sorts of inserts for different size
and type of flies exist.
New Simms vests- G3 and Vertical Master- Definitely the
nicest, most well thought out and high tech products in their category.
Main pockets have semi rigid foam so you can open and close with one
hand. Super comfortable shoulder yokes, quick drying/stain repellent
fabric, welded pockets, floatant holder, replaceable retractors, etc.
These are the pentultimate vests.
Action Optics Sunglasses- check out our new, much bigger
display case. New styles to choose from, these guys make some of the
best glasses around. I think my new favorite is the Fishbone, designed
especially for fishermen. Total wrap with see through side shields,
these are very funcitonal and stylish at the same time. Great optics
too.
Waterproof Cell Phone Case- Yeah, I know, you shouldn't bring
it in the river with you, but we often do. I went swimming in April and
had to replace my phone because I didn't have a case- I sure as Hell do
now. Great item, great gift too.
Varivas Super Tippet- a few of you have been bugging me to
carry this stuff 'cuz you love it, so here it is. Got it in the lighter
sizes, 6x-8x. The 8x is true to size and tests out at slightly over 2
pounds, making it the strongest 8x on the market. Just the thing for
you Farmington and Croton small fly guys.
LEDHEDZ Hat light- Clips on the brim of your hat, perfect for
the evening hatches. Just bright enought to see to change your fly, and
LED so the batteries will last a long time. Very light, very
convenient, I love mine.
New Mini Fish Pimps- Most of you are already very familiar
with the regular Fish Pimps, our best selling strike indicator ever and
my personal favorite. The new Mini size replaces foam tabs (like Palsa
and Millstream), but has the advatage of being instantly adjustable and
taken on and off in an instant. Rich Strolis used them out in Colorado
recently and he loves them.
Simms SPF50 Pant and Guide Zip-Off Pant- Looking for some
great fishing pants? The Zip-off Pant converts into shorts and is quick
drying, breatheable, and nice loking. The SPF50 Pant is super light and
extremely fast drying, and will protect your legs from the Summer and
Tropical sun. Great for fishing the Flats or wet wading in the Summer.
Rio Nymph Line- new this season, with a slicker, higher
floating formulation. Welded loop on the front end with a super high
floating tip (density of .60, most lines are .85-.90) and a built in,
8" flourescent orange tip to serve as a strike indicator- you can trim
it off if you don't want it. Short front taper to turn over a pair of
nymphs plus indicator and split shot. Long head length allows for
longer casts, distance roll casting, and mending line on long casts.
Our guide Rich Strolis loves this line for nymphing, says the tip
floats like a cork. Aaron and I have now had a chance to try it too,
and we both love it too.
Simms Superlight Fishing Shirt- These are really starting to
sell well for us with the hot weather upon us now. Without a doubt, the
lightest, nicest shirt for fishing I have ever seen, not to mention the
most technical. Quick drying, articulated collar and sleeves, welded
pockets, and mesh panels under arms and center-back yoke. The best I've
seen. Perfect for all you Bonefishers, and makes an excellent shirt for
late Spring thru early Fall fishing.
***************************************** Torrey's books and videos for June:
New Books:
-Flyfisher's Guide Series- Two new books: Yellowstone National Park, and Montana-revised edition.
Many of you are going out West this Summer, these books are invaluable
in helping you plan your trip. They are, without a doubt, the best
series of state guide books available. Seasone, hatches, flies,
lodging, food, camping, etc.- it's all in there.
-Art of Angling Journal, vol. #2, issue #4- the long awaited
next issue is finally available, and it has the usual stunning photos
and interesting text. This periodical is truly a visual masterpiece, I
don't know how they do it for only $13.50. Get 'em while they last.
-Hemingway on Fishing- Classic stories by an classic author.
Great collection of his work, if you are a fan on Hemingway you will
love this, and if you are not, you should be.
Favorite Books:
-Death, Taxes and Leaky Waders, by John Gierach- a
compendium of his 40 best essays, this is the book to have if you want
to find out why he has such a huge fan base for his books. Highly
recommended.
Bestsellers:
-Trout Pool Paradox- written by George Black, this book
details the history, use, abuse and comeback of three local rivers- the
Housy, Naugatuck, and Shepaug. Full of many entertaining anecdotes, our
customers have given us very positive feedback on this one.
Videos/DVD's:
-Advanced Strategies for Selective Trout- hosted by Doug
Swisher, this is one of my all time favorite videos. Covers some great
techniques such as stack mending, advanced streamer methods, how to
better match the hatch and recognizing masking and compound hatches.
Great footage of Doug utilizing these techniques and catching some
whopper trout. Very entertaining and informative.
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River Report:
The Housatonic is low and clear again today. We need a good rain soon!
Grasshoppers and beetles! The trout fishing has still been a
little slow and spotty, but I've had reports of some very nice browns
being caught on terrestrials. Thermal refuges are now open to
fishing, but there aren't too many fish left hanging around them - they
have dispersed into the main part of the river.
Nighttime air temperatures have been coming down -
this means that water temps will soon follow, and then some of the best
trout fishing of the year is upon us! Blue winged olives, beetles,
ants, hoppers and especially streamers will net you some of the biggest
trout of the season. We've been watching the water temps and we'll keep
you posted when the good fishing returns.
Smallmouth Bass fishing has been excellent in all areas of the
river and pike fishing has been good in certain areas, notably the
Lenox and Rising Paper sections.
Please check water temps before targeting trout! Don't fish for
trout when water temps are above 71 degrees. Trout may be stacked up in
the thermal refuge areas right now and will be very vulnerable to
stress, predation and exposure.
The water is getting lower and warmer...Please be careful when
releasing your trout! Use only barbless hooks! Make sure you revive the
trout for a few minutes to be sure they won't belly-up somewhere
downstream. A trout that is too exhausted to hold his place in the
current will surely die. Be certain that your fish is rested - he
should shoot out of your hand and into the current when he's ready to
go. Please take the time to do this! The future of the fishery and the
holdover rates depend on careful handling and self-restraint on the
part of the angler. Don't be a fish hog!
Streamers will produce lots of trout at times, with my favorite being a yellow crystal bugger in sizes 4-6.
Lakes and ponds in the Berkshires are still fishing fair for trout
(10-20 feet down) and bass (evenings). I like Grey Ghosts and
Black-Nosed Dace in sizes 2-4 6XL or natural Zonkers in the same sizes.
Sporadic midge hatches are coming off every day when there is little
wind and the trout will take notice! Try Goose Pond in Lee for great
midge action.
Small streams in the area are all clear and low, with your best
bet being tan or gray caddis dries, small light Cahills and beetles,
hoppers and ants.
Caught any nice fish lately? Send us your fishing photos (especially from the local area) and we will publish them on our website
Check out our new selection of rain and wind gear by Sierra Designs.
We've got the Hurricane waterproof/breathable parka, and the Microlight
Jackets and pants which are suitable for stuffing in your daypack or
fishing vest for when it rains or gets windy and chilly out there.
Stop in and see our great selection of flies! We stock everything
you need to fish the Housatonic or any of the other surrounding waters.
Let us show you what's working!
This Report Courtesy Of Harold
Housatonic River Outfitters
24 Kent Road, Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut | 
