Opening Day '19

[Hwilli97]

Hey everyone, I've lurked on OA for a few years now for fishing reports and advice, but this is my first post, so please show some mercy on any etiquette blunders I may cause.

I am planning on making my way down to RR for opening day this year with some friends and am planning on bringing a fly rod as well as some spin-casting rigs and wanted to reach out for advice. I haven't fished RR in early spring/late winter, nor have I ever encountered the masses that make their way out to opening day.

Can anyone lend me some tips and suggestions about what to bring tackle-wise given the Wx conditions and crowd conditions?

 

Thanks,

 

Hunter

[snagged in outlet 3]

At the whistle. 

Spin cast, throw a white or pink jig.

Fly fishing use an egg pattern tied on a jig head.  

After the initial couple hours just use what you like and experiment if you don’t get bit.  

Have fun and post a couple pictures of the party.  

[Hwilli97]

Thanks, for the advice, Snagged. I'll make sure to document the festivities best as I can. I imagine the whole area, regardless of zone, is incredibly congested. Are there any areas that are lesser so?

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Just show up and go with the flow and do your own thing.  

[Johnsfolly]

If you can throw a weighted egg pattern especially a tan pellet colored egg with 2# line with your spin gear that should work well. As well as white microjigs. I have never fished opening day in any trout park. Have fished RR at other times and besides weighted eggs have done well with white, white/pink, olive, and tan maribou jigs and white, cream, or olive microjigs. I like to see the fish respond to the bait. Once the fish even looks like it is going to strike I will set the hook. Usually they will follow the bait on the drop and a slight flare of the gills before they inhale then exhale the bait.

Good luck! Can't wait to see your report and photos!

 

[ness]

Welcome to the forum.

I'd suggest sensible shoes and eye protection.

 

[JestersHK]

I prefer to spectate the opening whistle.  Wait a few hours and drink some coffee.  Observe the guys catching and releasing a ton of fish and try to figure out what they are using.  

Once the 4 and done guys all go to breakfast hit the stream with less crowd and less frustration of getting all Tangled up when @snagged in outlet 3 shows up with his surf rod casting over everyone's line at the horn lol

[tjm]

I have never seen an opening day there, maybe I'll run over there this year...

The Park Ranger was telling a man last week that all he needed was a black & yellow marabou jig and he'd catch lots of trout. he suggested 1/8 oz. Not being very smart I was using a little grey dry fly, BWO maybe, there were a few fish that didn't know much either and we played together. I can usually find a fish or two with an olive woolly bugger.

[rps]

Stop at Tim's fly shop just outside the park and pay attention to what they say. And, like Ness said, eye protection, sturdy shoes, and maybe a kevlar vest would be warranted.

[rps]

Many of you know this, but do you know the local Walmart has trout day sales and the high school has a school holiday called trout day?