Flying Ants

Hi Folks, Back by demand are the Flying Ants.  A welcome sign every late summer.  Been awful hot the last few days and looks to continue to stay hot and muggy.  Water temperatures have warmed significantly.  Big river fishing for trout is out and the small streams are now warming and low. Carry your thermometer.  Leave the trout alone when the thermometer reads 70 degrees plus.  Also, noo fishing for trout in thermal refuges.  In other words where they stack up at cold water spots.  Leave them alone at Kennefield brook confluence on the Lamoille or the Ridley brook confluence on the Winooski or the Brewster confluence on the Lamoille.  Bad ethics and Karma hounding these stressed fish.  However, this is perfect weather for chasing smallmouth.  With the arrival of the flying ants, everybody looks to the surface for any easy meal.  Hard to believe, though it is the case, that big smallmouth will slurp ants with a reckless abandon.  The equivalent of us eating Raisinettes at the movie theater.  Flying ants or Alertes meaning swarmers or reproducers move nests this time of the year.  It is usually prompted by heavy rains i.e. thunderstorms.  I typically see them in the afternoon.  The female ants are larger being tied on a #14/#16 hook while males are tiny being tied on a #20/#22 hook.  Incredible that on certain occasions trout will key in to one or the other but not both.  Might have to do which is most abundant.  I do not think the smallmouth really care.  so, I am of to spend the rest of the day guidng for bass.  Will be hot, but we wll find some shade and willing participants.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy