Every year, as the end of February approaches, the tradition is renewed: people start checking and carefully arranging their equipment in preparation for the long-awaited re-opening of the season. Trout fishing is a passion that can be enjoyed for about six months, from March to October, when the rivers become more active and environmental conditions more favourable. Anglers know that each year is different from the previous one: the climate, water levels and fish behaviour can vary considerably, making each opening a new challenge.
On the day set for the first outing, the same dilemma always arises: to go or to postpone? Personally, I have always based my decision on the weather conditions. If bad weather rages, it is better to stay at home; if the weather is uncertain or favourable, one can try, also assessing the water level, which should be in the normal range, with clarity varying from clear to opaque. Every season opening presents different scenarios: some are similar, but never identical. It is therefore essential to know how to best interpret the situation and choose the most effective strategies, from the right equipment to the most suitable lures.
An important aspect, which will be mentioned several times, concerns the concept of average water level. When I speak of this parameter, I am referring to the average depth of a watercourse under standard conditions or slightly above the seasonal norm. For example, if a stretch has a hole one metre deep and a shallower part of thirty centimetres, the average level will be around sixty-five centimetres. On the other hand, I do not consider extraordinary situations, such as torrential rain, melting snow or artificial dam adjustments, because in those cases fishing could be ineffective and unpleasant.
Environmental conditions vary from year to year, and in the last ten years unstable weather has made the start of the season even more unpredictable. For this reason, it is essential to go directly to the site to assess the water levels, its colour and temperature, elements that will help us choose the most suitable river or stream in which to cast our bait and inaugurate the new fishing season.
After the long winter, trout tend to settle in quieter areas: they can be found along slower current stretches, near river edges, near natural obstacles such as rocks and submerged logs, and also in deeper holes. However, when the sun comes out, they may approach shallower areas in search of warmth.
The most favourable time of day for fishing is generally between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., although the ideal time may vary depending on weather conditions. It is essential to be ready for this interval, as this is when trout become more active due to the slight rise in water temperature. The warmer the water, the longer their period of activity will last, thus increasing the chances of a successful fishing trip.
Fly fishing offers several techniques that can be practised throughout the season. Although most anglers prefer dry fly fishing, i.e. on the surface, trout are rarely active afloat at the beginning of the season. However, if one chooses the spots carefully and the weather conditions are favourable, one can observe insect hatchings and attempt a few dry catches, especially during the hottest hours of the day. In such cases, the best areas will be sunny, shallow waters with moderate current, typical of the upper reaches of rivers, which often warm up earlier.
Nevertheless, at the beginning of the season, the most effective techniques remain those practised underwater: streamer, nymph and drowned fly. Trout, still not very active after the winter cold, tend to stay close to the bottom, along the edges or in depressions in the bottom. It is therefore essential to fish slowly and close to resting areas.
This technique involves the use of imitations of small forage fish such as sculpin and minnows, which are worked close to the bottom. If done correctly, streamer fishing can give excellent results, allowing interestingly sized specimens to be caught. Trout, being opportunistic predators, seek protein to recover from the winter and do not hesitate to attack larger prey. At this stage of the season, it is useful to insist on every promising angle to provoke bites.
Nymphing is a very precise technique of baiting close to the trout stations. These fish feed on larvae throughout the year, making nymphing one of the most reliable strategies. However, it is crucial to adjust the weight of the nymphs according to the depth and speed of the current. Each spot requires a specific set-up to ensure that the nymph descends into the area of interest. Among the most effective imitations in all seasons are flies made with the pheasant tail and the hare's ears. In the first weeks of the year they should be used in measures from 12 to 16as the season progresses, you can go down to sizes 16-20.
This technique becomes particularly effective when trout start moving from their static positions. Submerged nymphs imitate the larvae on their way up to the surface for hatching and are generally used in combination with two or three artificials, fishing at different depths. Compared to nymphs, submersibles, being unplumbed, are more voluminous and remain suspended below the surface for longer without descending rapidly to the bottom.
When insect hatching occurs, trout become more active and feed more intensively, making the submerged fly an excellent option. This technique also makes it possible to quickly explore larger areas and detect more reactive fish.
During the winter break, or at least a few weeks before the long-awaited opening day, it is essential to carry out a thorough equipment check. A careful inspection will avoid unpleasant surprises in the field and ensure a smoother and more effective fishing experience.
Start by checking the condition of the rat tails: wash and grease them if necessary to improve their smoothness. If you have old tails, do not discard them immediately: they may still be useful for submerged fishing. For streamer fishing, it is advisable to use WF (Weight Forward) lines, which make casting easier and improve the handling of the bait in the current.
Also check the reels, verifying that the mechanism is smooth and well lubricated. If necessary, apply a fresh coat of grease to the moving parts. Also take advantage of this to replenish missing spools of line so that you always have the right terminal for every situation.
Moving on to the fly rods, make sure they are undamaged and in perfect condition for the first outings of the season. Some anglers buy their own flies, while many others prefer to make their own during the winter. In both cases, it is essential to check that the hooks are sharp and free of rust or damage to ensure safe ferreting.
Careful preparation of equipment is the first step to avoiding unforeseen events and optimising time spent fishing. Arriving on the river with everything in order allows you to concentrate exclusively on technique and trout, without unnecessary loss of time.
Mid-mountain streams, especially at the beginning of the season, present a demanding challenge to the fly fisherman. To tackle them at their best, it is essential to choose the right equipment: a rod 9' o 10'with a tail 3/4, is ideal for adapting to the various techniques needed in these waters. Given the season, fishing will be predominantly at nymph and submergedas trout tend to settle in the deeper, more sheltered areas. Although some sporadic boating may occur on milder days, it is still more productive to fish below the surface in these environments, also to reduce disturbance.
For the correct presentation of artificials, the tailpiece must be adjusted according to the technique adopted:
The artificials must imitate the insects most commonly found in mid-mountain streams at this time. For submerged and nymph fishing, they are particularly effective:
If the conditions for dry fishing arise, it is best to rely on:
As for the shades, the choice of colour must be inversely proportional to the clarity of the water:
The most propitious time of day is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.when the water warms up slightly and the trout increase their activity. It is important to choose the fishing grounds carefully:
If a good place is found, it is essential keep him quietavoiding sudden movements and unnecessary disturbances.
Slightly submerged flystart by probing the nearest areas with launches soft and quietprogressively enlarging the fishing area. The secret is the slownessThrowing repeatedly without a break is a mistake that risks driving fish away.
Avoiding dredgingA slight tension on the line is essential to give a natural animation to the flies and better perceive bites.
Nymph on sight or on the huntother valid techniques for flushing out the most apathetic trout.
If you notice any bollateIt is essential to carefully observe the size and colour of the hatching insect in order to choose the right imitation.
With careful preparation and a strategic approach, even mid-mountain streams can provide wonderful catches at the opening of the season.
Early lowland rivers and resurgences are among the best places to tackle at the opening of the season. Unlike mountain streams, conditions here are generally more favourable, and the insect hatchingaccompanied by the FIRST BILLINGSoccur more frequently, except on particularly bad days.
To get the most out of these waters, it is advisable to use a nine-foot barrelwith a tail of the four both the emerging fly and the dry fly, while for nymph fishing a 10' tail 2/3 is recommended.
It is advisable to use very long endingsto ensure a natural presentation of the imitation.
If the last segment of the tailpiece does not stretch completely, it can be advantageous for fishing with emerging o surface nymphas it allows for gentler sinking.
To fish in depthThe weight of the imitation must be adapted to the current and depth conditions.
The insects present in these waters are the same as those already mentioned for mid-mountain streams. The most effective imitations include:
For the resurgencesexcluding flies huntinginstead favouring the emerging and the nymphswhich are best suited to the characteristics of these environments.
The ideal time slot for fishing in these environments is wider than in mountain streams, extending from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The most effective strategy involves:
There is a widespread belief that when the season opens, catch possibilities are limited. However, with conditions of clean water in the seasonal average, temperatures slightly upward and a good choice of spot, you can achieve more than satisfactory results even in this period. The important thing is to be flexible in fishing techniquescarefully observe the behaviour of the fish and adapt accordingly.
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