FISHERMAN'S CALENDAR
SO season opens
SC season closes
C clear water
D water dirty, roily
N water normal height
SH slightly high
H high
VH very high
M water muddy
L low
R rising
WT50 water 50°
FG fishing good
FF fishing fair
FP fishing poor
OG outlook good
OVG outlook very good
OF outlook fair
OP outlook poor
TROUT: IDAHO: Golden trout beginning to hit at Terrace Lakes in Big Horn crags. Goldens seem to be averaging one pound with a smattering of 2-pounders. Trout also rising to dry flies in Copper Basin and Seven Devils lakes, but roads to latter are in very gummy shape and a jeep is required. FVG at headwaters of St. Jo, Coeur d'Alene and Moyie rivers. Secesh River a late starter but now producing, as is upper Lemhi, particularly in late evening on Grey Hackles. Headwaters of the Salmon in Stanley Basin area gin-clear and a real challenge for the fly-fishing expert. Trout are restive, and larger ones are camped underneath the overhang of banks. OVG generally for fly-angling throughout state, but mosquitoes are thick and bug dope is recommended.
NEW MEXICO: FVG for browns and rainbows at El Vado, Trout and Canjilon lakes, Los Pinos and Canones. First-rank streams are the Chama and Brazos, not so much for size of trout they are producing. Our spy reports largest taken last week were a mere 18 to 20 inches, but almost everyone is taking limit; OVG.
MONTANA: All Montana rivers now N and C, with the Yellowstone in prime fly-fishing condition. FG on the Madison, but slowing as salmon fly hatch peters out. By and large Montana OG and improving.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: FG On Slough Creek. Fire Hole River slower due to warm weather.
OREGON: FVG for fly-fishermen on the Deschutes River below Bend. Water conditions are L and C and evening efforts producing large browns on No. 14 Grey Sedge and bucktail Caddis flies. Many larger lakes now open, but a hike in to the smaller lakes offers more brook-trout rewards. Parmachenee Belle, Silver Doctor, Montreal and Spruce fly patterns all functioning to advantage. OG also in the high Cascade lakes, but here again bug dope is indispensable.
CALIFORNIA: FVG on Feather and Pit rivers on east slope of Sierra. Owens above Benton's Crossing excellent for large browns, with Ginger Quills and Quill Gordons most effective fly ammunition. Yosemite Park in the back country is near its peak and OVG.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: FG on all ponds and streams north of White Mountains, but the gem of the moment is Back Lake near Pittsburg. Wandering courier, however, maintains that best fishing for those who will walk is in the many small ponds throughout northern sector of state. Recommended procedure is to consult local game warden or buy a topographical map and start hoofing. Distance from roads is rarely over three miles, and the hike is more than worthwhile.
SWORDFISH: NEW YORK: Mrs. Gertrude Doyle of Southampton and Great Neck with her boat Pipedream II is rapidly developing into East's pre-eminent broadbill angler. Already this summer off Shinnecock Inlet she had boated swordfish of 318 and 363 pounds and last week added a third. It scaled 554 pounds and it took Mrs. Doyle four hours and 20 minutes to establish her authority. Since we know of one angler of undisputed skill who fished five full seasons before landing his first broadbill, Mrs. Doyle's accomplishments with this most wary of all big-game fish are hard to overrrate. The male angling contingent, however, is laboring mightily, and last week, also off Shinnecock, Steve Skurka of College Point, New York thrashed a 367-pound swordfish in one hour and 20 minutes on 39-thread from the charter boat C.M.B., skippered by Captain Al Veltman of Hampton Bays. Also last week Harry Carter of Hampton Bays tranquilized a 297-pounder on 24-thread while his 14-year-old son handled the boat. From all indications this should be one of best broadbill seasons in the Shinnecock-Montauk area.
BLUEFIN TUNA: NEW YORK: Giant bluefins once again congregating at Shark Ledge, southeast of Block Island; and last week trolling Bimini style, Eugene T. Turney Jr. of Bayside, Long Island snagged a 598-pound fish from Captain George Potts's charter boat Blue fin which operates out of Montauk; OVG if the present trend continues.
NOVA SCOTIA: Numerous giants are being seen in Wedgeport area, and one was hooked and lost last week by Willie LeBlanc of Wedgeport. This is encouraging news for recently tuna-barren Wedgeport but, unless substantial rod and reel catches are made in near future, Wedgeport may have to endure another poor season.
MASSACHUSETTS: Cape Cod Bay and Monomoy area on south shore enjoying heavy run of school fish in 100-pound class and OVG. Cape Cod Bay also stuffed with giants but as usual they are regrettably disdainful.
STRIPED BASS: MASSACHUSETTS: FP in general, but a few large bass were taken last week at Highland Light near Truro with a 53-pound striper taking honors for Ed Allard of Wethersfield, Conn. Allard used a jointed eel plug. North Cape shore evidently thick with both bass and bait, but a stiff easterly is needed to start them moving and put them in a feeding frame of mind.
NEW JERSEY: FP but some fish being taken from jetties at night around Asbury Park, Deal and Long Branch. Rigged eels seem effective.
ATLANTIC SALMON: NEW BRUNSWICK: FG/OG on province rivers, although W slightly H. The Miramichi is front runner, particularly for grilse, but last week Mrs. Douglas Weld of Toronto killed a lusty 44-pound salmon from the Red Bank Lodge pool on the Restigouche.
MAINE: Conditions excellent, OVG while run still on the neglected Machias. Agent traversed seven miles of stream, saw no anglers. Fishery personnel have allowed 283 salmon through traps, and to date only 14 have been taken from this rich water.
NOVA SCOTIA: Light rains improved angling in provincial rivers last week, with a total kill of 56 salmon reported. As usual the Medway led the pack with 31 fish, but rivers are still L and most salmon are languishing in estuaries waiting for higher water so they can move upstream.