The Millers is blown out. 1400cfs as of this morning. I cancelled an evening guide trip for today and headed for greener pastures (waters) on the Swift River. The "Y" Pool parking lot was full on this late afternoon and I fully expected the lot for the "Pipe" to be crowded also. As it turned out I was the only one there. There may be a reason for this "lonely" fishing. We've had to endure six months of catch and keep regulations and some active poaching in this section. Some poachers have been arrested, thankfully, but many trout have been creeled which has thinned out the population which in turn has thinned out the fly fishermen. It was strange to fish this area for 1 1/2 hours and have it all to myself. I took four - two rainbows and two browns. One brown was a brute of sixteen inches that peeled line from my reel like a striper. It was taken at the head of the deep run below the pipe. He almost made it to the fallen tree that crosses that pool before I turned it around. Everything was taken on a #16 hotspot.
I love this little gem of a tailwater! It is my savior during the winter and is my destination when the Millers is high or when I can only fish during the day during the hot summer.
I'll be hitting the Millers soon.
Ken
6 comments:
Thanks for the report!. I am new to fly fishing and only fished the Y pool area last year. I am thinking of heading out soon. Where is the "pipe" and where should i park? Is the "hotspot" an ant fly?
This Blog could have saved me a lot of petrol yesterday (Friday), if I had known where to look!
Great idea, and a lot of fun to be able to tune into from afar.
I live in southern RI, and have been fishing the Millers a bit this past month. Yesterday it was flowing fast and there were very few still pools to be found. I fished up above Green St. in Athol with no luck what-so-ever.
Then on to old faithful, below Wendel Depot. Always pull a couple up there, but again heavy water, and no hatch at sundown.
I hope to learn all I can about your wonderful region, and greatly appreciate your effort and input on this blog.
Regards,
Rick Mitchell
(Narragensett TU)
Wickford, RI
rmitchell@neit.edu
Paul,
The "pipe" is the section below the rt9 bridge over the swift. If you head east on rt9 just go over the bridge and take the next right (River Rd.) Take the 3rd turn-off on the right, across from a wrought iron gate, and drive to the parking area. Follow the river downstream about 100 yards and you will see a "pipe" discharging from the state trout hatchery. Watch how people fish this area. It's a short line technique for sure.
Ken
Ken,
Thanks for the info on the "pipe" area. I'll be sure to try it soon. I found your "hotspot" fly in another area on your site. This is a great site for a new guy like me. Thanks for all of your efforts!
Paul
Rick,
Ditch the "Green St." approach to that section of the river. You want to be on the opposite bank (north) for better approach and casting. To get there go to any maps program and enter Athol, ma. chestnut st. or chestnut st. extension. There's a public access area at the end of the short Chestnut St. ext. Park by a yellow gate and then head down to the river. This is the end of the bears den C&R and usually fishes well. Check my previous posts for the "Fly Fishers Guide To The Millers River." Only $10.00 and it will save you a lot of time.
Ken
Ken,
What does all of this heavy rain we've had recently do to the fishing? Does it quiet things down or not necessarily.
Paul
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