Autumn On The EB

Autumn On The EB

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Saturday On The Swift

I really wanted to fish the Millers but that river was running at 1100cfs due to that mid week squall line. The EB had recovered nicely but it would be playing host to the annual TU picnic. Way too crowded for me. So 7:45 am found me just below the Y Pool on the Swift. One can have uncrowded conditions at the Y Pool if one gets there early as I have done the past two weekends. One can have GREAT midge fishing if you get there early and have the right flies. A size 26 brown thread emerger with a CDC wing brought 7 rises with 5 bows landed. It was a perfect morning. It was sunny, warm and my first day fishing in shirt sleeves since last October. Summer is just beginning!! Ken

10 comments:

YellowstoneBound said...

Another great midge pattern for the swift is a Zelon midge in 24 and 26. I had a slamming day with them a couple of weeks ago - even took one of the spillover salmon on one! Very easy tie, and looks great on the water.

Falsecast said...

Ken,

I haven't been to the Swift this week, but have been slamming them on the Nissitissit and Quinnie. I am surprised at the size of the fish. I broke two tippets off last night on the Quinnie and landed 6 18/19 inch Bows. They slammed buggers, but there also was a good cahill and caddis hatch. Interestingly, I saw a few really large Golden Stones. I've never seen them there before?
Question: I have never fished in the Swift River Reservation back water. Is there wading and decent fishing down there? Looks like some islands near that blocked dirt road?

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Falsecast,

Where is the "Swift Reservation Back Water"? You've got me on that spot.

Ken

Falsecast said...

Probably my awkward description. Above the controversial dam in Belchertown. If you continue up that road that is next to the river there is a dirt road turnout on the left, looks like a boat launch. The water backs up and creates what i thought was called the Swift River Reservation. It's the area that the residents that are against the dam live on. I suppose it is also downstream from the parking lot at Cold spring road.

Falsecast said...

Sorry, Bondsville....

Anonymous said...

There was access to that area from River Road from two directions. They weren't blocked off last summer but I can imagine there has been some serious partying going on there.

I have seen video of fishing being done in that water, either from a canoe or kayak. I think a kayak would be your best bet but I'm not sure where the access would be. I think if you check Ken's archives there is mention and maybe a picture.

It's the same cool water as the C&R areas but you would think there would much more forage in these waters. Also, I would not be surprised to hear if you get any grief from the locals if you fly fish in "their" water.
Al

Scott said...

Ken,

I took my nephew fishing above the upper C&R Sunday and had quite a morning (6 in 3-1/2 hours)on traditional wets while he landed 3 and lost 2 on spoons. All were browns of between 12-14" and all were released of course.

These were his first trout landed. I'm trying to bring him over from the Dark Side of Bass fishing and slowly teaching him to flyfish.

I just love digging around in all those pockets and bank side runs. Gotta say though, it was tough wading in spots.

Scott

Scott said...

BTW

That was the Miller's River C&R. And most of the brownies grabbed a wet fly variant of Dick's Killer streamer that I found in Bergman's book Trout.

Perhaps a "Moby Dick" Jr. ?

Scott

Tom said...

Any reports on the EB of the Westfield? Some one has to have been there.

Millers River Flyfisher said...

The EB was stocked on the 17th of May. I was there yesterday (Wed) and took two good rainbows in three morning hours. I heard of one other fish taken. There are plenty of fish in the river but they would not cooperate yesterday.

Ken