Prepping for Trout Opener
Trout Opener
With the Michigan Trout Opener quickly approaching, are you ready and prepped for Trout Opener? It seems like a simple question, but there is a series of steps you can follow. My hope here is to outline some routine things I do while prepping for Trout Opener. Spending a few short hours inspecting my gear contributes to my overall success, especially on the Upper Manistee. The goal here is to eliminate the obvious shortfalls that will hinder positive outcomes.
Fly Box Organization
Most of us spend our winter tying flies to bulk up our fly inventories. This is a great way to pass the idle winter months and it gives us something constructive to do. One important step you can take while prepping for Trout Opener is to organize your fly boxes by “hatch”.
I typically organize my fly boxes around a single “hatch”. For example, I have one box entirely focused on the Hendrickson hatch. Another box for Sulphurs, and so on and so forth. In each of these “hatch” boxes I will have an assortment of nymphs, emergers, duns, and spinners. I always try to have the appropriate size and color to match each hatch stage. Having all of my fly choices laid out in front of me is a good way to determine if my fly selection has any shortfalls.
Another recommendation is to carry a second box containing basic “attractor” patterns. This box should have an assortment of your favourite old stand-byes. I like the classics such as the Adams, Robert’s Yellow Drake, Borcher’s Drake, Stimulators, and Elk Hair Caddis. Organizing my fly boxes in this manner allows me to make better choices in the heat of the moment. While transitioning from one hatch to another just replace the previous “hatch” box from your vest or boat bag with the next series of flies.
