The Mayfly in April

Well, they call em Mayflys but they are out in BIG numbers around the Pack in April.  Thousands of the fockers.  I opened the Lake House front door this a.m. and I kid you not at least 50 of em flew inside.  I don't remember them EVER being this bad in the 40+ yrs. I've been coming up to the Pack.  Maybe that's because we used to avoid coming up during this time of year because of the bugs.  I'm sure if they are bad at my house they are worse down at the water..especially if there isn't a breeze/wind to keep em grounded.

I'm not so sure the Mayfly is a regular in the Smallie diet.  Maybe the trout, but not the Smallie.  At least in the Lake.  Why?  If you were a Smallie and you had a choice of a stinking fly or a nice meaty crawfish/crayfish or threadfin shad..what would you choose?  I'm not saying a Smallie won't eat a Mayfly it's just that given a choice..I'm sure they'd prefer the larger meal..especially since the water is warming up and their body metabolism is picking up.  Smallies probably eat these Mayflys like we eat mints when leaving a restaurant after a big steak dinner.

Enough of the Mayfly.  I haven't dropped a line in the Pack yet this year, but my friend, Bill Albright, and full-time Guide on the Pack is actually out on the water today with a client.  I'll get the fishing report tonight.  Yesterday was a beautiful 70F day at the Pack.  I'm sure the warmer temps warmed up the water and fired up the Smallies a tad.  I know it fired up the Mayfly.  (Sorry, the Mayfly again).  Anyway, I'm guessing the water temp is in in the low 50s.  I will post a fishing report when I hear from Bill.

I probably won't start fishing until the weekend of May 4th.  Fair weather fisherman?  Yes and No.  Yes, because it's still not warm enough at 0700 for me to go fishing (which is the time I usually head out) and No, because I know we're not even close to the Peak Smallie fishing time in the Spring at the Pack.  I'm guessing mid-May will be peak Smallie activity.  Guess we'll see.  Until later.  Fish ON!  Rob