Autumn On The EB

Autumn On The EB

Monday, September 28, 2009

Millers Update - 9/25, 9/26

Maybe it was worth the wait. After the wettest summer in memory the Millers is actually flowing AT OR BELOW it's historical average. This has given us prime dry fly conditions and the browns are supplying the entertainment!! One Friday the 25th I guided two anglers who were rather new to the sport, at least to fishing dries. They both caught fish at the Upper Trestle Pool.

I headed to the UTP myself late Saturday afternoon and wasn't disappointed. I took five browns using a pumpkin caddis first and then finishing with a #16 olive emerger. I then left this spot and headed downstream with plans for the Kempfield Pool. I never made it. I spent the last hour and a half fishing the big pool below the trestle at the head of the Kempfield. It's best to approach this spot from the RIGHT side as you are facing downstream. The casting and wading is much easier. That's the pool in the photo taken from the trestle. There was a good, steady rise on this pool which allowed me to take an additional seven browns before darkness. One note - this is a hard pool to get to and very hard getting out in the darkness. Be careful!!

Good Luck!

Ken

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Definitely agree on the difficulty of access point. Last time i was up there I tried to make my way to that pool from by the big boulder. Not only was it trecherous as far as uncertain water depth/dips and bumps but there are some beavers that live along the edge there that scared the shit out of me when they emerged close to two feet next to me.

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Yes, the beavers!! Their den is up by the head of the pool by the trestle. They are very territorial for sure.

Ken

Unknown said...

The last 2 Saturdays I saw a beaver enter the river at about 6:30 pm. Thought it was a bear at first, easily 100 lbs. Ken, is Gulf Road coming from the Royalston side in better condition than coming from the Athol side? I went into the Bearsden for the first time last week approaching from the west which challenged my 96 Civic offroad capabilities.Caught 2 small browns and a bunch of fallfish. Gorgeous in there. -Greg

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Greg,

The S. Royalston approach is much easier.

Falsecast said...

I don't usually fish the Miller's , but am going on Sat. It looks like the "Tressel Pool" might be a good place to start if one is unfamiliar with the river. Do you agree? Any info on bugs hatching would be appreciated. What is the best way to get to this section if coming from the East? Thanks in advance! Andrew

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Andrew,

To the Upper Trestle Pool/Kempfield Section: Rt2 west past Orange Ma. Go over a bridge on rt2 that spans the Millers and take your first left after the bridge (you will also enter the town of Erving after passing the bridge). Take that left and take another left (only choice), pass a former restaurant on the right, and then take your first right which will take you over a another bridge that spans the Millers.

Park on the left, after passing under the rt2 overpass but before the RR tracks, suit up and head left on the tracks upstream to the Upper Trestle Pool or right on the tracks downstream to the Kempfield Section.

Flies - all dries work as long as they're olive. Any nymph will work.

How's that?? You can also buy my Millers Flyfishing Guide by following the instructions on this site.

Ken

Anonymous said...

Andrew - If you go this Saturday, keep an eye on the water level if we get the rain the weather folks are forcasting. The "dam masters" spiked the flow by 50% yesterday for no reason (there hasn't been any measurable rain in Orange since Sunday), who knows what they could do if it does rain.

Falsecast said...

Thanks for the info. I will keep my eye on the weather and water levels. What is the desired CFS for this river? Thank again for the info and will come prepared for rain and some nice trout :-)

I am hoping it will hold off until later in the day.
-Andrew

Anonymous said...

My favorite number would be 220cfs. The C&R area fishes very well between 180 and 350, IMO.

...and there's nothing like having a beaver sneak up and slap it's tail just behind you.

Sam said...

Hello Gents

Looking to purchase new wading boots and cannot decide between rubber studded or felt studded soles.

I currently have felt soled and last trip to the Miller's a couple of weeks ago was slippery one and almost dunked twice !

Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanx

Anonymous said...

Hi Sam,
For sure get rubber, felt is on the way out as it contributes to spreading invasive species. Most mcompanies will not be making them in the future.
I just bought some new simms rubber soled and they are terrific. Much better than my felt soles, haven't fallen at all.
Have fun.

Paul said...

Sam,make sure you have good wading staff.Wading in the Miller's is like wading on bowling balls.

Anonymous said...

Sam - I got a pair of cleated rubber soles after taking that "last spill too many" hiking down those steep trails in felt soles. I think they work just as well felt soles while wading.

...and as a side note, it's more than "felt soles" that are responsible for the spreading of invasive species. You still have to clean your non-felt boots.

Paul said...

Sam, take a look at Korkers Streamborn boots with the interchangable soles.

Sam said...

Thanx for the feedback. Will definitely be purchasing the rubber soled boots.

Sam

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Good feedback folks!!

On didymo - they say that a strong salt water solution (200 ml to 10 liters)coupled with a 10 minute soak will kill this organism. It's not harmful to equipment or the environment either. Check it out on the web

Ken