Rainy day fly fishing is much vaunted in our literature, but I feel there are limits. Yes, damp cloudy days can bring sustained hatches of blue winged olives and other mayflies, but I have found trout reluctant to rise whenever the surface is significantly agitated, whether by rain or wind. I have always assumed that these conditions hamper the trout’s vision and their ability to discern the insects they seek from the floating chaff.
I can count endless days on the water when accelerated downpours have shut down rather heavy feeding sessions. The bugs remain, but the rises cease, at least until the rain slacks up considerably. Stormy days are largely the worst as the winds often charge in anew whenever the rain lessens. Nature being whom she is though, I have witnessed sudden eruptions of rises as a thunderstorm bared down upon me. The reaction is always to look over one’s shoulder at the threatening weather and cast furiously. Don’t fall for it… get off the water! Distant lightning can kill you.
I put in my time on a fine-looking, brooding sort of day last week, but I wasn’t rewarded with a significant hatch. I didn’t get wet, though the chill of the water got through more than on a sunny day.
The best thing about rainy days is the freshening they can impart to our rivers. I have enjoyed improved fishing on many occasions after a good rain has raised the flow during low water conditions. I’d love to see that happen this time, for there are a number of pools that could use a boost. I might even put on the old raingear and head out this afternoon. The Hendrickson is waiting…
Bright Waters Catskill 