Wade Trips.........."Best Times Calendar for Fly Fishing Trips!"......Float Trips

New York

February-March
February-March Steelheading can be excellent at this time as the air and water temps begin to warm but before the runoff occurs and make the rivers unsafe to fish. Mid Feb-March are good bets and fishing dates should be booked early. Timing is important to help insure safe and fishable flows.

April-May *RESERVE EARLY*
Outstanding steelheading can be enjoyed during this time of year when the high water recedes to a safe, and I emphasize safe, and fishable flow. Nymphs, streamers and wet flies will do the trick. Book your trip as early as possible because these three fly fishing specific weeks fill fast. Historically, the fishing, the flows and the weather has been great starting around the 1st of April for offering wading and drift boat trips for good flyfishing, leading into Prime Time, starting around April 15th thru May 7th and remaining real good into mid May.

June-August
Weather permitting, steelheading can remain fair to good into June as long as you are willing to put in the extra effort and take in a day of hiking the Salmon River. Usually any major down pour, which raises the early summer's lower flows, will entice some nice Skamanies and Atlantic Salmon and maybe even a few Kings to enter these tributaries of Lake Ontario. Mid September, you can usually count on the King and Coho salmon to start showing up regularly. But until then, it can be hit or miss, so it's best to call before making your fishing arrangements.

September- November *RESERVE EARLY*
By mid to late September it's usually Salmon, Salmon, and More Salmon everywhere! Then Steelhead showing during the 2nd week of October with the better runs materializing in early November. Fishing dates fill fast during this time and I prefer week days. If weekends are your time, don't worry, the fish are still here. Booking your trip early is advisable to insure lodging and your guided date.

December-January
Good to outstanding steelhead and trout fishing is the norm for this time of year in most of Lake Ontario's tribs from Watertown to Buffalo. With nice browns and rainbows in many of the rivers and creeks, along with the much sought after steelies, you could end up with a nice hat trick of trout or a "double digit trophy brown" from the western shores! Great time to fish, but be sure to have your fowl and cold weather gear. During December-January, try to pick your fishing days according to the forecasted weather. Also, when there's a break in the cold, usually a warm up of 7-10 plus degrees, bright warm sunny days or from sub freezing to above freezing, this is a good time to be casting a line in the Salmon River's favorite runs and holding pools or other tributaries.

Massachusetts
January-March
Some areas will produce some nice fish, weather permitting. Guiding is usually limited to the Upper Deerfield and the tail waters of the Swift River at this time of year. A warm day on one of these rivers can help ease the pain of cabin fever.

April
Early trout season success is in finding good temps and safe flows with many of the streams, rivers and lakes already being stocked by the state. Great river and stream fishing is beginning to happen through out the valley.

May, June, July
*RESERVE EARLY*
Prime time trout fishing is here (book these dates early). By mid May, the fly fishing is on the rise and continues to get better as June and July approach. Streamers and Nymph fishing is how the season starts and remains constant through out the summer months. Then more consistent dry fly action starts late days and early evenings during the last week of May. This is definitely a great time to enjoy Western Massachusetts' early flyfishing season. With the higher spring flows, get to areas that are not be accessible by the walk in fishermen.

August-September
Dog Days, for most rivers, are here except for the Deerfield where this dam controlled flow offers up continued outstanding fly fishing during this time. Here's where I can be a true asset to your fishing success, either wading or drift boat trips, I will guide you to areas that have cooler runs and pools and feeding trout. These areas are more apt to attract trout during this time of year. Please take care in releasing these fish. With nearly daily water releases from Fife Brook Dam, this is a great time to drift boat the Deerfield in search of the rising trout.

October-November
Good trout fishing can be found in most rivers and excellent land locked salmon fishing is about to follow. For the salmon, though, Mother Nature must give them the needed rain needed to make their runs. This is a great time for learning new tactics and how to approach these beautiful wild creatures. Stay in touch with me as to when these salmon start their run and we'll be there to do battle with one the state's premier game fish!

Cape Cod

May-August
May and June flats and shallow fishing is great striper fly fishing as these brutes make their arrival and haven't been fished over, therefore being a bit easier to entice into eating your fly pattern. July and August the outer beaches are usually producing an abundance of nice stripers during this time and I can usually be seen somewhere around Chatham and Sandwich.

September, My Favorite Time
September is when we have enjoyed our best success while wading the tides and casting to stripers seen chasing bait in the waves. After labor day weekend and into the end of the month is historically the best! What a rush! What a great time to be at the Cape, early to late September with little to no crowds and the possibility of having fish busting at your feet while tearing off fly line from your reel!

"Learn to present a fly, in big water, without a slinky or split shot."
Traditional Fly Fishing at it's Best!

Pending Water Conditions
SAFETY FIRST!

Please Practice and Promote Ethical Angling & Catch and Release!