Trout Source

California Still In Drought
Scientists from the state Department of Water Resources measured the state's snowpack and have concluded that California is still in a drought.  The DWR's fourth snow survey of 2012, performed by both man and machine this week, showed that the water content in California's snowpack is only 55 percent of average. The April 1 snowpack measurement is the most important of the season since it is when the snowpack is usually at its peak, and right before the snowback melts and flows into rivers and streams.  "The wet conditions in March weren't enough to make up for the previous dry months," the DWR concluded.  DWR officials have said that although good reservoir storage will help lessen impacts this summer, California should still be prepared for a dry 2013.

See Regional Snowpack Trendlines

Other California Links

Updated Drought Outlook
Since the release of the previous Drought Outlook issued on March 15, 2012, drought was eradicated in some areas from northern California into eastern Washington... In contrast, warm and dry weather led to drought development in parts of the Northeast, the northern High Plains, and a few areas in central sections of the Rockies and eastern Great Basin.  Overall, the current Drought Outlook extending into early summer is not optimistic. Improvement, or at least some improvement, is expected in west-central and northwestern parts of the country, where above-normal precipitation is forecast through the end of April

...Compared to the March 15 issuance

Another Look – Current Conditions

Early Spring – Too Early…? (Penns, PA)
Water levels are low all around the state right now.  I am getting a little concerned... Trees are budding way too early. Like 4-6 weeks early.  That means the Hatches will be early this year.

On The Brink (Upper Delaware, NY/PA)
Due to a February run-off instead of a late March/April run-off, all 3 branches are at record low water levels which means the first 3 warm days in the 70's will blow out the rest of the early spring hatches.  Absolutely incredible!

Blue Quills (Upper Delaware, NY/PA)

Hendrickson Slowdown (Au Sable, MI)
These cold nights are really slowing down the hatches, which is just fine…  There's nothing quite so bittersweet as blowing out all your hendricksons in a week of warm weather.


April In A Nutshell (Au Sable, MI)


Bidness (Montana)
The last few days have been filled with business, books and the IRS. Fishing guides are not fond of this type of shit, but then again, it is my business and no one else is gonna do it.

Montana Trip Promotional Images

Motivational Phrases (Au Sable, MI)
[we fished] the bubble lines and sweeps, the logjams, the secondary bubble lines and slow-flowing backwaters.

Thanks for reading.