05.03.17

Trout fishing on the Ten Mile River from Dover to Wingdale areas are picking up every day. The water clarity is at about 80% and waiting on some more consistent surface activity. The best bet is to throw a streamer around and try to locate where the fish are holding. Then dial in with some nymphing or a dry dropper. 

The fishing in the TMA (Trout Management Area) in the Connecticut section of the Ten Mile River is in perfect condition at the moment. (accessed from the Bulls Bridge, Appalachian Trail head) From our experience we project these conditions will last for about another 6 weeks. The water temps rise pretty quickly on this river and levels will continue to drop everyday if we do not have a consistent rainfall. 

*update* 5/5/17

Went down again in the afternoon 4-630pm on 5/4/17 and it is amazing what 24hrs can do. The water temps dropped 4-5 degrees from the day before. We had a cold night and I think the warmer runoff water from the previous days rainfall worked itself through the system. The sudden change in water temperature seemed to shut down the fish activity. I went from the day before landing a half a dozen and missing at least a dozen more to just only getting 1 and missed 4. On a positive note I rolled a large brown 17-18" class on a small streamer. That was encouraging. So, that's fishing.. one day it is hot and the next day can be a whole new story. Good Luck and don't get discouraged if you are not able to find fish right away. I was out there for about 2 hours and only had a flurry of action for a 10-15min stretch and then nothing. I will be back for revenge....

Hatches: Caddis, Hendricksons, Yellow Sally's, Midges, Blk Stones

Fly Patterns:

Nymphs:

Prince Nymphs, Hares Ears, Soft Hackles, Copper Johns, Stoneflys 

Try a variety of sizes from (12-16)

Dries:

Hendricksons, Rusty Spinners, Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) Stimulators, Yellow Sally's

Streamers:

All sizes and colors ( fish were chasing everything regardless of size or color)

I had success with a B.H. Woolly Buggers in Olive, White, or Black.

Water Temps:

The water temps in the lower section of the TMR are already in the low 60's towards the end of the day. These trout are a bit more acclimated to warmer temperatures and seem to be most active and on the feed between 58-67 degrees. Once we go beyond that point the small mouth will take over. Lots of fun!

The fish are getting more active with the cooler temps!

Water is low but the temps are in mid - low 60's. Work on being stealthy and quiet while wading in the river. I found the two fish pictured below yesterday evening. Activity seemed to pick up after 4pm. One was taken on a size 22 Olive CDC loop wing emerger and the other was on a woolly bugger in shallow riffels. - TZ

Guide Report From Frank Degrazio "Hendrickson Spinner"

The fish on the Upper east branch of the Croton seem to be concentrated between Trestle bridge to below Borden bridge.  Fish are feeding on small black, olive, and tan midge dries and emergers in sizes 20-22.  You will see some caddis in the riffles size 16-20.  Look for active fish.  Sporadic summer stenos are around, and look for spinners in the evening.  You should  go down to 7x when dry fly fishing to increase your odds.  Dry dropping has been effective, especially in the riffles.  I have used caddis and larger ants as the top fly, dropped off hare and copper and then a zebra midge.  Sometimes the fish just comes up and noses the dry, but then at least you know where he is.  I have had success czech nymphing hare and copper with bead head midge larvae and then zebra midge or very small mayfly size 20.  small green caddis larvae have been working too.

Good Luck!