Changing Trout Tactics for May Fishing Success
Milton F. Whitmore
The last Saturday in April, a magic, almost mystical annual event celebrated by true trout stalkers has come and gone. The excitement of the opener has ebbed and the one, true, trout season is upon us.
The month of May presents us with a wide variety of weather and river conditions. The successful angler has to be willing to adapt and be prepared for whatever comes along. Low, clear water and bluebird days might be followed by a near blizzard, when the barometer and thermometer join hands and take a suicidal nosedive for the nether regions. The rivers rise, color up, and the trout seem to sulk in their favored hides, where they, along with the rest of us, pout in want of more favorable conditions. Sometimes we are blessed with what; to this angler anyway, are the most perfect fishing conditions. Nighttime temperatures remain in the low 50's, clouds move in under the moon's cover and a slow, but steady drizzle fills the air. As the sun rises, set behind those low, gray masses, the day begins to warm a bit into the low 60- degree range. The wind is a mere puff, with only the occasional gentle upstart to signal its presence. The water, smooth flowing in its twists and twirls under, above, and around the river obstacles, is slightly colored by the all-night drizzle. Perfect!
How to fish under such varied conditions can perplex the angler, who is unwilling to shift gears and tactics. Assuming that your chosen river contains an ample population of trout, what then must be done to garner a fish or two?.... [Read Full Post]
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Early the previous evening the skies began to cloud over. Rain came down at about 10 PM and temperatures remained in the upper 50’s all night. A few mild thunder boomers came through and during the early morning hours the rain turned to a steady, albeit not heavy, fall. I set the alarm for 5:00 AM with the anticipation of hitting a local stream. The conditions were perfect to put the trout on a feeding spree, and I was going to be on the water shortly after first light.
