There aren’t too many certainties in flyfishing, but the transition from mild autumn weather, to wintry, happens with surprising predictability at Millbrook sometime in the first or second week of May. It is when, for example, that gloves and beanies go from being occasionally handy, to something you always want to have in the car at the very least.
With the change in seasons, the fishing changes too. Mayfly, mudeyes and terrestrials are all but gone, fortunately replaced by midge, and to a lesser extent, caddis. If the attrition rate of flies is any indication, buzzers and stick caddis are now the patterns of choice more often than not; supplemented by big wets.
It would be reasonable to think that this shift towards cold weather would mark a decline in the fishing which won’t reverse until spring. But in fact, May is more of a reset month at Millbrook. Fish are still caught, and some big ones. Yet ironically, June, July and August often provide more consistent fishing, as the trout settle into their new chilly world. (They are, after all, a cold water species.)
The main thing for anglers to do, is stay warm. We often suggest our guests treat a Millbrook winter trip like a trip to the snow, and dress accordingly – minus the bright colours of course! Do that, and winter can provide some of the most enjoyable action of the year.
With the change in seasons, the fishing changes too. Mayfly, mudeyes and terrestrials are all but gone, fortunately replaced by midge, and to a lesser extent, caddis. If the attrition rate of flies is any indication, buzzers and stick caddis are now the patterns of choice more often than not; supplemented by big wets.
It would be reasonable to think that this shift towards cold weather would mark a decline in the fishing which won’t reverse until spring. But in fact, May is more of a reset month at Millbrook. Fish are still caught, and some big ones. Yet ironically, June, July and August often provide more consistent fishing, as the trout settle into their new chilly world. (They are, after all, a cold water species.)
The main thing for anglers to do, is stay warm. We often suggest our guests treat a Millbrook winter trip like a trip to the snow, and dress accordingly – minus the bright colours of course! Do that, and winter can provide some of the most enjoyable action of the year.
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