Early Season Options
Fabius brook: A small stream located south of Syracuse, Fabius brook harbors wild browns and brookies, some of surprising size. The conditions are difficult for fly rodders due to the streams small stature and the tangle of alders which seem to choke the water from all angles. The slow moving, and often gin clear water makes approaching fish without spooking them difficult as well. Those who are willing to give it a shot however, will find Fabius is easier to fish now then later in the season when vegetation makes fly casting virtually impossible. A strategic approach to likely holding water is needed here. Often the key to success is not finding the correct fly or even presentation but rather figuring out how to get your fly on the water before the fish know your there. The Fabius is not for everybody nor is it many people's favorite stream but it's a nice option this time of year when some of us just need to get "out there". The chance to catch twenty inch (and larger) wild trout can make the difficult conditions seem a little more tolerable, and the streams propensity to clear quickly makes Fabius Brook a good early season choice.
Public access exists at different locations. Public Right Fishing Map
Tioughnioga creek: (west branch) Not to be confused with the West Branch Tioughnioga river. The west branch Tioughnioga creek actually joins Fabius brook to form the East branch Tioghnioga river. Starting in the village of DeRuyter the creek provides excellent habitat for wild and stocked trout all the way to it's junction with fabius creek. A much steeper gradient then Fabius, The west branch Tioghnioga creek contains more riffles and has better insect populations as well. While the stream is stocked in and around the town of DeRuyter it holds mostly wild fish the further downstream you go. Access can be found throughout the village of DeRuyter as well as bridge's along Keeney and Highbridge roads. Dry fly fishing can be quite good at times and there are many places where the stream bed widens enough to allow worry free back casts. This little stream offers its best fishing early in the season before low water and high temps slow things down most years.
Chenango canal: Located near the Madison county town of Bouckville and running just a couple miles from Leyland ponds to Oriskany creek, The Chenango canal looks and fishes more like a spring creek then a traditional upstate trout stream. Unfortunately the canal is known as much for it's difficult fishing conditions as it is for large brown trout. Heavily silted bottom along the entire length of the canal makes wading a poor choice in most cases. In addition to the terror one experiences sinking waist deep in the muck, the entire canal can be muddied up by a single wader sloshing about upstream of your location. The water is almost always clear south of rt 20 and rarely stays off color for more than a few hours even after heavy downpours. A footpath exists along the east side of the canal, and while you can see many fish (some quite large) while walking along, getting a fly in front of them is another story. Overhanging brush is thick and there are blow downs and log jams seemingly everywhere. Hatches do occur, especially in the lower mile, but this is difficult dry fly water to say the least. Buggers, Muddlers, and similar fare are probably the best way to hook one of the canals large browns. In addition to the canals reputation for producing large trout many anglers are willing to brave the tough conditions due to its proximity to Oriskany Creek. Just follow the canal downstream for a mile or two north of route 20 and you've found the Oriskany. Unlike the Chenango, Oriskany Creek offers anglers small wild trout in great numbers. This classic upstate trout stream is probably the most prolific pound for pound producer of wild trout in central New York. Above Deensboro the stream is not stocked due to the consistent high numbers of wild fish. Most are modest in size but are usually willing to take a nymph or dry fly when given the chance. For most anglers a visit to the Chenango involves a rush of adrenaline followed by a rush of frustration. (consider yourself warned) But the chance to chase large browns in the canal combined with the fun fishing available in the Oriskany makes the trip out to Bouckville a good early season choice.
