FISHERMAN'S CALENDAR

SO—season opens (or opened); SC—season closes (or closed).
C—clear water; D—water dirty or roily; M—water muddy.
N—water at normal height; SH—slightly high; H—high; VH—very high; L—low; R—rising; F—falling.
WT50—water temperature 50°.
FG—fishing good; FF—fishing fair; FP—fishing poor; OVG—outlook very good; OG—outlook good; OF—outlook fair; OP—outlook poor

TROUT: NEW HAMPSHIRE: Fly hatches are coming on nicely in southern part of state, but woods were still closed at press time and no rain in sight. Fishing still permitted on larger lakes and ponds, and almost all waters in north country are now ice-free, including first and second Connecticut Lakes. Good fly-fishing reported in ponds throughout south and central part of state. OG when fire danger passes and ban is lifted.

VERMONT: Although weather has been unseasonably dry, woods had not been closed at press time and stream levels were ideal. Spy recommends Willoughby River between Newport and Westmore in northeast corner of state and Echo Lake in same section. Also has good word for Marshfield and Waterbury dams, Little River in central section and Battenkill in south.

ONTARIO: Despite unusual early May chill, streams north of Mattawa River and in northern section of Algonquin Park producing limits to 3 pounds, almost all on bait or spinners. Lakes north of Cochrane beginning to clear of ice, and Yesterday River, top producer, should be in splendid condition as weather warms; OVG.

NEW YORK: For 11th time in state's history all woods travel has been banned in the state, and no fishing is permitted on any trout streams until further notice. As result, fly-fishermen may miss peak of this year's fishing as good hatches are reported on the Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Schoharie, Ausable and other Adirondack and Catskill streams. Meanwhile, Beaverkill anglers are fearful that DDT spraying of that area may reduce insect life of the river drastically and cause mass starvation of trout. In general, OVG if ban is lifted any time this month.

CALIFORNIA: Second weekend of general season brought clear weather in north and central area, and action improved after lull following brisk opening. Thirty-seven thousand trout caught from Crowley Lake on opening weekend was top figure for all lakes, but June Lake loop was close runner-up. Best trout reported last week was 7-pound brown removed from Hot Creek by John Schreiber of Long Beach. Best bets this week are Crowley, June and Bridgeport lakes. All-year streams and lakes in California heavily stocked; Big Bear and Arrowhead recommended.

WASHINGTON: Skagit county's hottest spot for rainbows is Clear Lake, still producing limits. Heavy hatch of black ants put pep in fly-fishing on Pass Lake, Fidalgo Island, last week. Lower Skagit River below ridge at Conway and North Fork are stiff with sea-run cutthroats, also abundant in salt water off Brown's Point, Camano Island. Rainbow-chasers doing fine at Thurston County lakes and Lawrence, Deep, Offut, McIntosh and Clear lakes in Bald Hills. East of Cascades, Seep Lakes below O'Sullivan Dam in Grant County drawing fishermen from all over state to try for 6-and 8-pound rainbows on flatfish lures cast from shore. Lowland lakes report FF/G and OP as weather warms. Columbia Basin waters FF/G with Park and Blue lakes hot producers. SO May 19 for high lakes and streams and OVG for streams; some high lakes still ice-bound.

NEW MEXICO: FVVG since SO May 1 and OVG, says happy spy as Fish and Game Department continues to break all stocking records and anglers are turning out in unprecedented hordes. Hottest spot is Fenton Lake in Jemez Mountains, where limits were the rule last weekend, mostly on worms, salmon eggs and spinning gear. Red, Chama and Brazos rivers report FG despite SD; worms and eggs best baits. Some high mountain lakes are still under ice.

OREGON: Clear skies and warm weather with most streams C and N make OVG throughout most of state. Best bets for fly-rodders are Upper Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked rivers, where heavy hatches of stone flies have trout feeding hungrily and several 20-inch browns have been taken on wet flies. Trolling and spin-fishing good on Wickiup Reservoir on Upper Deschutes with browns reported up to 15 pounds; FG in tributary streams of Willamette as cutthroat to 20 inches are dropping down to big river; wet flies and spinning most productive methods. Coastal streams still producing cutthroats in tide water with spinner and worm combinations producing well for trollers. In general, OG/VG.

PENNSYLVANIA: Streams N and C in Allegheny Forest and northern tier of counties, but frosty nights have kept WT44-50. Trout are feeding but mostly on the bottom; weighted nymphs and well-sunk wet flies get best results. Limit catches of browns to 16 inches reported on east branch of Oil Creek in Crawford County, mostly on deep-fished wets. Tionesta Creek still SH but OG this week. First Fork of Sinnemahoning, once famous as producer of monstrous browns, offers fast action with wet flies but trout are averaging nine inches. Heavy batches expected this week or next, and dry flies should be good now. Best patterns: Hendrickson, Light Cahill, Quill Gordon, sizes 12 to 16.

BRITISH COLUMBIA: Estuary fishing generally good as salmon fry are coming off in coastal streams and some cutthroats are entering. Lively reports from most interior lakes at lower altitudes, with Kamloops trout responsive to fly and troll. Peterhope, Glimpse, Paul, Pinanotan, Turkwa, Jacko, Adams, Monte, Heffley, Pavillion all open for business and producing.

MINNESOTA: FVG all over, says enthusiastic agent. Limits of browns to 4 pounds reported on Straight River at Park Rapids. Limits of stocked rainbows and browns common on Eagle Creek at Savage. 20 miles from Twin Cities. Rainbow run slacking in Knife River near Duluth but just starting in north shore streams near Grand Marais. All streams L and C except north shore rivers, and OG/VG.

MICHIGAN: All streams on both peninsulas N, C, FF/G and OG despite temperatures producing skim ice nightly. Last week's hotspot was main branch of Au Sable, where streamers and wet flies were most effective. OG for Board-man. Betsy, Manistee, Platte and Au Gres, where season's first hatches of stone flies "and early May flies busted out last weekend. FF/G for brookies on Black River and OG through May 20 when early May drakes should be hatching.

WISCONSIN: Brule spy credits warm dry weather with excellent fishing on upper stretches of river last week; says OVG for same water this week. WT50-55. Most roads in excellent condition. Fly and spin fishermen playing sad second fiddles to salmon-eggers and wormers.

BLUEFISH: NORTH CAROLINA: Blues providing fast action from Nags Head area to Hatteras and Ocracoke Inlets; most are from one to 2 pounds; OG.

FLORIDA: Panama City jetties are scenes of good bluefish catches, mostly on shrimp. Surf anglers taking blues along entire Gulf Coast from St. Marks on to Pensacola.

LAND LOCKED SALMON: MAINE: Moose-head, Rangeley, Fish River chain, East and West Grand lakes were ice-free last week, and salmon were providing good sport on trolled smelt and streamer flies. Sebago, Swan and Messalonskee in the Belgrades are reported on upgrade and OG.

ILLUSTRATION