As soon as water levels recede, trout fishing should return to rivers and streams, and striped bass may return to the Pawcatuck River.

Ed Lombardo and some friends caught trout on the Wood River on Opening Day. His report:

“We left Meadowbrook Pond at about 8 a.m., and got on the river about 8:45. We fished the usual early season patterns such as a black-and-orange down-wing marabou and olive Matuka streamers, both weighted.

“I’m happy to say that the fish have spread out very nicely; we caught fish upstream from the Barbourville dam to just above Frying Pan Pond. We saw a good number of blue-winged olive mayflies and midges in a size #18 and some as large as #16. Also saw tan caddis in a size #12. The wind was so bad that the trout did not feed on top at all. Water temperature on the Wood was 48 degrees.”

Thursday evening, Lombardo fished A.L. Mowry Pond in Smithfield, and caught rising trout from 4:30 to 7:30 on Griffith’s Gnats, with the top and bottom hackle trimmed. “We took some very nice browns all on top,” Lombardo said. “That fly is one of the best midge imitations I have ever used.”

Reel in tips online

Lombardo appears on Hot Bytes Audio this week, discussing the flies and techniques he uses to catch early season trout. In another Hot Bytes Audio posting, fishing guide Ed Hughes talks about his favorite lures and flies and a Narragansett Bay bass-fishing hot spot that’s about to come alive soon. Hot Bytes is available on the sports page at www.projo.com.

Stripers are biting

Don Cameron of Captain Don’s Bait & Tackle predicts that the backwaters of Quonochontaug Pond will come alive after a few days of warm weather.

Before the northeaster, the first stripers of the season appeared at Cemetery Cove and Cow Cove on the Pawcatuck River, as well as in the river’s mouth, said Don Michaud of King Cove Outfitters. But the river was still in spate Friday afternoon.

Quoting Yogi Berra, Pat Abate of River’s End Tackle said, “I hate to make predictions, especially about the future [but]I think that by midweek there will be fishable conditions and bass along Great Island on the Connecticut River and the mouth of the Lieutenant River. The bass in the Thames have been spreading out from Norwich Harbor and are starting to look for herring.”

Cameron said flounder have been taking Gulp sandworms on the Thames.

Ninigret Pond secrets

There may still be time to catch one of the fishing seminars at the 25th anniversary open house at Ocean House Marina in Charlestown today. Experts on flounder fishing and striped-bass fishing will discuss secrets for catching fish on Ninigret Pond, and the marina will display boats on the pond. The activities are free.

The marina is off Route 1A near Cross Mills.

Kayak and canoe festival

The Kayak Centre of Rhode Island will hold its annual Demo Days Kayak Festival Weekend May 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the North Kingstown Town Beach off Route 1A in Wickford. Test the latest in kayaks and canoes and support the North Kingstown Food Pantry with a contribution of one canned good or $1 per person. Representatives from kayak and canoe companies will attend along with the store’s staff. Free seminars will be offered. There is more information online at www.kayakcentre.com.

tmeade@projo.com