You know of the HH: Hendrickson Hype.
Yes, Hendricksons have been spotted on the lower river. No, the hatch has not yet begun in earnest. Of course, as a currentseams reader, you have a measured response to the HH. You know that nature is always on time no matter when she shows up. And that the hatch will happen when it happens, and not a moment before, no matter how much one wishes it were so.
I can tell you it didn’t happen today. I visited four locations on the lower river from Canton to Unionville, and there wasn’t a single subvaria to be found. On the other hand, there were plenty of caddis — the Rodney Dangerfield of early spring hatches — and though there were no risers, the trout were ready and willing to jump on a swung wet fly. On my second cast of the spring with a team of three wets, whack! A fine, fat rainbow on the top dropper, a Squirrel and Ginger. How glorious to feel that tug as the flies dangled in the current below me.
Warm but uncomfortably windy today. I nymphed for about an hour, but had no takers. The bite dropped off after all those seed thingys blew into the water. 420cfs and clear.
Soon, my friends in fly fishing. Soon.
My top dropper today — heck, it’s usually my top dropper from April through August. Size 12 on a 2x short scud hook.
currentseams.com 
How did you manage with that wind? Did you use an intermediate line? Thought of fishing but seemed like a better chore day. Fished the upper C&R yesterday afternoon and saw only two come up to Olives. Water temp too cool for Hendricksons IMO.
Hi Steve,
I don’t use intermediate lines.
Most wind is manageable, especially when you’re fishing subsurface. As I mentioned, the biggest problem was all the junk that got blown into the water. On a gusty day like yesterday, you need to pick and choose your casting spots.
Well done Steve! I braved a short trip to a local small stream for wild fish, and they were hammering dry’s which was fun… but I was constantly “head on a swivel” to make sure none of the falling limbs hit me! 🙂
Glad you dodged the shrapnel.
Thanks Steve, your analysis always adds fuel to my fire!
Burn, baby, burn.
I was out today… Wind wind wind
Tossed everything at them- except a squirrel and ginger…cause i didnt have any!
I know what ya mean about those seedy things! Good greif… Saw a couple fish rise to a quick caddis hatch, and had a brownie brush my leg on its way in a hurry somewhere..
Needless to say-/-Got skunked
Come home and see your report so hit the vise… Lol
http://s202.photobucket.com/user/mtbmurf/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E5D0FC74-55A7-4306-B466-9042D47D98CA.jpg.html
Those’ll work!
Seedy things, seed thingys…bah to whatever they are.
Steve – good to hear about your success with the Ginger FS. I’ve always envied your ability to sparsely wrap the FS material. I decided to get creative and spun a sparse brown hen hackle on the head. It came out looking great and should have plenty of movement. Regards.
Getting creative is good. Don’t give up on the sparse fur hackle. You can do it.
I remember you used a very tacky almost butteryviscous wax, sparse guard hairs and a loop. I think the wax imay be the problem on my side.
It’s Loon Swax High Tack. You’re right about using very few hairs, but I ditch as many of the black long guard hairs as possible. The wax is indeed a major factor.