Fly fishing the reservoirs

[Trout Man]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone fly fishes on the reservoirs for trout in the spring or fall when they move into the shallows. I would imagine that a streamer would work for catching trout if rapalas and shiners work so well. Any tips or comments would be appreciated. Thanks

[backinaction]

Spring fly fishing is good on the lakes , try in the summer months bass in shallows and close to weed beds with small poppers

[Brooklynite]

I've been spending so much time in the watershed's rivers that I haven't hit the lakes yet for bass, but I imagine it'll be quite possible to get them in the shallows on poppers. I think its possible to get ledge bass and the odd trout on a sinking line if you know where the drop-offs are on certain lakes. The problem though is back-casting. On Kensico for example, there are a couple of spots that will get you away from the trees on rocky ledges.

Lastly, I have no idea what the deal is on "wading" in the lakes. I was fishing a shallow section of the Cross River Reservoir this spring and a wading angler was pulled out of the water by an irate DEP official.

Anyone know if wading is allowed in the reservoirs?

[elsewhere]

Wading is not allowed on the reservoirs.  Sorry.  If you want to fly fish on the reservoir, the best way to do it in my opinion is by boat and then you have back casting room or can do a spey cast.  The other possibility is to rig an old fly rod using leadcore or sinking line and troll it.  It is not traditional flyfishing but it is indeed a form of it

[Montrose]

Since when is wading not allowed in the lakes?  As long as you have waders on and are not "sneaker" wading, it was always legal in the past.  In fact I think I recall reading in the regs that wading in waders is fine.

I have waded for crappies, casting spoons for trout at ice out, shooting carp...never had an issue. 

[Montrose]

FYI...I had to check.

Right from the DEP regs:

(h) Fishing Equipment. The following equipment rules apply to Fishing:
(1) Waterproof waders shall be used when entering water for purposes of Fishing. Due to
the potential threat of invasive species being transferred from waders into the NYC
water supply, NYCDEP reserves the right to prohibit certain waders from use in the
Watershed. A list of waders prohibited for use is posted on the NYCDEP website.

[elsewhere]

I could be mistaken but when I called to find out the process for getting a DEP permit and this was 2 years ago.  I was told by the DEP official there is no swimming or wading in the reservoirs that are part of NYC water property.  If you prove me wrong, I wouldn't mind

[elsewhere]

So where is the list of prohibited or approved waders?  This is great to know!

FYI...I had to check.

Right from the DEP regs:

(h) Fishing Equipment. The following equipment rules apply to Fishing:
(1) Waterproof waders shall be used when entering water for purposes of Fishing. Due to
the potential threat of invasive species being transferred from waders into the NYC
water supply, NYCDEP reserves the right to prohibit certain waders from use in the
Watershed. A list of waders prohibited for use is posted on the NYCDEP website.

[Biz-R-OWorld]

I have seen people wading and fly fishing in Croton Falls Reservoir, numerous times.

[Montrose]

Elsewhere...Swimming and wading (w/o waders) is illegal.

Fishing while wearing waders is perfectly legal.

Biz, I couldn't find the list, but assume it's referring to felt soled waders that are increasingly prohibited to prevent the spread of Didymo (Rock Snot), an invasive aquatic vegetation.

[Trout Man]

I guess i will try fly fishing this fall. I have a boat so at least i will have a chance at making some decent casts. When they start surfacing or moving into shallow areas it could be worth a shot.

[Biz-R-OWorld]

I saw someone fly fishing Croton Falls as recently as last weekend.

[Brooklynite]

I've seen guys wade and fly-fish before in the rezs, good to know its legal (but if the DEP wants to remove you, well, you can't argue with them).

Regarding the regs--and to Montrose's point, the DEP is reserving the right to exclude certain waders. I personally think its just being responsible to avoid using felt sole boots if you can. Rock snot just sucks, ruins the beauty, quality of the water very quickly. Several states are enacting a ban or prepping the public for it eventually. I have a pair with a vibram sole from Simms and when I recently was on the Savage River in MD, had very little problem on what was very "technical" waters. I did meet an indignant angler who said she'd just bought her felts and that the MD DEP should pay her to replace them... To each their own, but I stand by the belief that anglers should be conservationists.

[Newbee1]

I've fly fished the pads at Fahnstock and hit a few small bass. You have to walk down past the beach area though. I believe waders are ok there also but I went in with shorts to cool off!!

[backinaction]

I believe felt soles are illegal in NYS for over a year because of the spread of rock snot in the Batten Kill