Keep in mind, however, that in most Adirondacks ponds, fish may not be used as bait --check the fishing regulations booklet for details.

As the season opens, some of the rivers that are usually consistent include the Batten Kill in Washington County, the Kayaderosseras River in Saratoga County, the Mettawee River, West Canada Creek, Mohawk River below Delta Lake, Oriskany Creek and Sauguoit Creek in Oneida County; and the St. Regis River in St. Lawrence County.

EASTERN NEW YORK
Despite last year’s severe flooding of many Catskill streams, spring 2007 fishing is expected to be very good in the larger rivers, according to Norm McBride, a DEC fisheries manager stationed in Stamford.

“Most of the damage (downed trees, erosion, new channels and the like) occurred in smaller tributaries,” McBride reported. “The West and East Branches and main-stem Delaware, for example, were in excellent shape last fall, producing some great fishing, including good numbers of 17- and 18-inch browns.”

Make no mistake, last year’s floods will impact trout fishing this season and for seasons to come -- at least on certain stretches of water. This spring, fishermen will find fewer wild brown trout yearlings -- fish hatched in 2005 -- because preliminary DEC surveys have documented a decline in that year-class. But adult browns seemed to have survived the floods.

“The biggest biological impact will be in the stream-bottom invertebrates,” McBride said, meaning that anglers can expect fewer insect hatches this year.

Some favorite stretches have also changed. Pools have been deepened and some filled, new pools and riffles have been created, and there will be plenty of logjams and eroded banks.

Emergency cleanup after the floods was not beneficial to stream ecology, as some stretches were channelized. Stream restoration projects will start this year and will continue as long is funding is available, McBride said.

According to Mike Flaherty, DEC fisheries manager stationed in New Paltz, headwater flooding was especially damaging in western Sullivan County, as heavy flows in the Beaver Kill, Willowemoc and Callicoon Creek moved tons of gravel around.

“It looks like the 2006 year-class of both browns and rainbows will be reduced,” he reported. The Esopus drainage was affected to a lesser extent.

This spring, encouraging news is expected regarding water releases from the three dams on the Delaware River watershed, an ongoing problem that never seems to end. Apparently the interested parties have negotiated a revised flow-management plan, based on Columbia University’s landmark study of the water supply-versus-recreation controversy.

This year, the DEC is scheduled to implement a plan that places more emphasis on the economic impact of fishing and other recreation -- and after last year’s experiences, perhaps flood control as well.

The new Extended Season regulations apply to significant stretches of the Delaware River. But on border waters, the opening of the regular trout season has not changed -- this year, trout fishing on the West Branch Delaware River opens on April 14. The open season has been extended through Oct. 15. Catch-and-release fishing is permitted on these two rivers during the remainder of the year, although artificial lures are required on the West Branch.