Autumn On The EB

Autumn On The EB

Saturday, March 14, 2015



Just a few photos from yesterday.

The top of the EB road. Five feet of snow plowed up at the beginning and a road covered with 2+ feet of snow beyond. It will be a while!!

A secret eastern Berkshire stream still covered with snow and ice. Thje few open areas were not there a week ago. Things are getting better.

Some small stonefly nymphs tied on scud hooks. The rubber legs that I had were too large for this pattern so I substituted some black floss with a tiny bit of super glue on the ends so the don't unravel. Some were tied without the glue to see if they worked when they unravel.

Always experiment!!!

Almost forgot - here's my small stream experiment. A 6ft, two tip bamboo that blasts out a 4wt like a rocket. Maybe too much like a rocket. Maybe a triangle 3wt would be a better fit.

Ken

Ken

12 comments:

Josh said...

Thanks for the road report, I was wondering what it looked like up there.

Anonymous said...

Ken,
That top photo reminds me of the pile blocking the entrance the EB had a few years ago. NOT GOOD! Even worse is that once the snow melts it will still take a long time for the road to be drive-able or the ground to be dry enough for the stocking truck to get in there! Same road and stocking issues will be occurring on the lower end of the c&r as well.
For me, its going to be all about exploring new rivers and tribs. Already have 3 in mind...will lreport back (without any names or locations come sometime in May).

Millers River Flyfisher said...

That photo is much like one I posted a few years ago. On that year the road was passable by May 1st. They never stock below the Gorge till the middle of May so we have two months to go. You may not drive there is April though.

Ken

Bob O said...

Water on the Swift is at 200 cfs. Quabbin is 95% full. The Pipe is half under water. Very good flow. No fish cooperated last afternoon. Only good thing was the weather. Come on sun!!

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Bob O,

No runs, no hits, no errors,oh well!

Spring is coming a bit later this year.

Ken

Unknown said...

Ken,

I am looking for a new 5wt fly line for a reel I received for Christmas.

There are several brands out there with many of the same capabilities.

What are your thoughts? What should I be looking for in a fly line? Are the new textured lines worth the price?

Dave

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Dave,

Many fly lines are basically the same. If I had to choose from two I'd chose Rio or Wulff Triangle lines. It all depends on what you want to do. Small stream, close quarters for smart trout, I would go with a Wulff line. Slinging anything from a size 18 to a heavy conehead bugger I'd go with the Rio weight forward because they have a large range of lines to choose from. As I said, most lines are the same and are probably made by a few manufacturers for many brands. I don't like the textured lines which were first promoted by Scientific Anglers and now others and are noisy as hell. I don't like those lines!!! Cabelas makes a $40 line and it works well. Cortland makes great lines. If your casting is within 30 feet for trout it doesn't make that much difference. Don't go high end for a trout stream, go mid to lower end and you will catch trout if your presentation is good..Don't blame presentation on your line!!

Hope that helps and it will probably bring comments.

Ken

Unknown said...

Ken,

Thanks for the advice......

My home rivers are the same as yours Millers, EB and on occasion Deerfield and Farmington. 3 times a year I travel to Maine and fish in locations where it would be good to reach over 30 feet. Do your comments apply to this situation?

Secondly, what about color? What are the benefits of olive dunn over a bright orange or bright green? Does it matter?

Very much agree that presentation is everything. However, looking out the window with 2 ft of snow on the ground makes me think of how I can improve my obsession, I mean game.

On another note...thanks for keeping up this blog - if there is one thing I would point to that has helped me improve my fly fishing skills/knowledge on the local rivers and others it is this blog. Please keep it up!

Dave

Brad C said...

To David's question re a 5wt line I am in concurrence with Ken's advice. I will go further and say that I have both Rio's and triangles on my 5wt and triangles for my 3wt. I prefer the triangles for their roll casting ability. If there is a line that roll casts better than a triangle I haven't found it. Streamer fishing I do try to use the Rio.

Millers River Flyfisher said...

Dave,

I hate bright colored fly lines. They look out of place where trout live. I don't like bright colored clothing either. I once received a present that was a bright tangerine colored fishing shirt. I said "thank you" and then dyed it a dull green. PERFECT!!!!

Ken

Josh said...

Brad, Is the triangle line you use made by Rio? I'm having trouble finding it. Have you used Royal Wulff ambush triangle line?

Josh said...

I was up by chesterfield gorge Saturday checking some of the smaller streams/rivers that feed it. All the streams were still 85% ice & snow covered, I didn't even bother checking the EB itself. Headed up to the Deerfield and didn't catch anything, at least there is open water though.