mixing it up

Hi folks, Guided a double yesterday with smallmouth/pike trip in the morning and brook trout outing in the afternoon.  The pond we visited in the morning had a surface temperature of 75 degrees with calm conditions and lifting fog.  Really nice day yesterday and a couple of cool nights mixed in with air temps. dipping into the high forties.  We spin fished form my canoe casting a prop bait initially and them shifting to a large blue/silver and orange husky jerk stick bait.  We caught a wonderful 18" smallmouth off a steep ledge in about 15' of water with the prop bait.  We missed it initially and it came back after the surface presentation with a fury.  Helluva of a good fish that fought and jumped and appeared to be very well fed. Only bite on the surface so we worked the stick bait and landed another 2lb smallmouth and 3 northern pike in the 20" range.  It was interesting that we hooked all of the northern pike on a sunny shoreline with a deep weed bed.  We did lose one pike that appeared to have some girth, but we will never know as it escaped us.  In sharp contrast, I guided a new fly angler in the afternoon on a small mountain brook where the water temperature was 59 degrees.  Good tree canopy on this stream and stable pools.  Water was pretty clear and the flow was at its seasonal average.  We saw numerous brook trout come to the #12 royal rubber legged stimulator.   Best fish of the day was a legitimate 10" brookie that was lit up with color.  Awesome looking fish that love to eat dry flies.  On a sad note, I have noticed that the Lamoille river has been dropped to 42 cfs.  Seasonal average for this time of the year is 188cfs.  Shame on Green Mountain Power as they obviously do not give a damn about the trout.  Let out some water folks.  Run of the river dams are managed horribly by the power company and not good for the fishery.  Sorry to rant and rave.  I am off to do two kids program today.  Should keep me on my toes.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy