A warm, drizzly day in late December equals a cold, drizzly day in late March. At least that's what it felt like Sunday morning as I walked across the field to the gauge and pipe sections of the Swift except I knew that Spring was not right around the corner but was a full three months away and that this balmy weather was nothing more than a brief tease. Time to make the best of it!!
The pipe was full so I headed up to the gauge where the size 16 serendipity did it's thing in those skinny riffles. Then down to the pipe where the 'bows attacked it. All told I took seven in two hours and missed a few more. The serendipity that I tied was a bit different than the common one that we use and I was pleased with how it performed. That makes a few good trips under it's belt!
Winter is a time when we tie and dream and occasionally fish if the Swift behaves itself. I'll be doing all three plus posting on these activities. I've been tying A LOT!!
Happy New Year and Stay Tuned!
Ken
12 comments:
Ken, I was fishing the Swift today below the Y pool. I thought I saw you fishing a stretch below me because of the hat you wear on the forum image. I was the kid in the brown beanie and hat poking around below the Y pool getting laughed at by those rainbows and making a fool of myself.
It was a beautiful day with the snow falling softly, it was totally epic, I won't forget this day. I caught one very nice rainbow on my way back to the parking lot. I took your advice to heart on no indicators and a particular style of fly you mentioned when I saw a trio of rainbows feeding. It worked. After getting snubbed all morning and for part of the afternoon I finally brought one to the net. Thanks for all the great information you provide and in my opinion saving me from a skunking today!
Tight lines and happy holidays!
Adrian,
Nope, that wasn't me that you saw. I wish it was!!! I'm glad that this information is of use to you. I'm thinking that some of those fish are becoming "indicator shy".
Anyway, tight lines and see you in 2010!!
Ken
Ken,
What is a serendipity? I googled it, and it looks like a red midge with clipped deer hair. Is this the one?
Thanks,
Cliff
Hi again. Also, wanted to ask you if you ever fish rivers like the Millers or the Westfield in the dead of winter? I live near sturbridge, and usually fish the Quinneboag because it is so close, but am wondering about water temp? Is there a certain temp that you can be certain fish will not feed at?-Thanks
Cliff
Cliff,
The serendipity that you googled is the standard tie for this pattern but not the one that I use. I'll post on that in the near future.
The Millers and the Westfield usually ice over during the winter although a friend of mine fished the Millers last winter when the water was low and free of ice and caught fish. It's safe to say that conditions will be too dicey to fish it safely. As the water temp. lowers feeding will slow to almost nothing. Trout will hunker down in an area that gives them a safe chance of surviving the winter months. With water temps. in the 30's your chances will be very slim. That's why rivers like the Swift and the Farmington (both bottom release tailwaters) give us a good and safe chance of catching trout during these terrible months. I've had GREAT FLY FISHING on the Swift from January through March during very cold weather as long as the water level stays down.
Good Luck!
Ken
I fished the Millers (Kempfield) on a late Feb day this past year. The flow was less than 400cfs and the air temp around 40. All I saw on the water were occasional ice chunks floating by and a very busy beaver.
Al
I am looking forward to seeing your Serendipity pattern.
Al,
I remember your tale about the beaver!! Someone that I know fished the outflow at Orcutt Brook during the winter and caught a few. I heard a few years ago that someone was fishing with bait by the dam in Orange and was catching rainbows. Needless to say it's a low success endeavor.
Ken
Happy Fishing in 2010, Ken. Stay warm. Don't fall in the river, or push anyone in order to stage a rescue. Ellen
Happy New Year Ken,
I'm looking forward to making it to the Millers this year. Didn't happen in 09. Hope to see you this winter on the Swift.
Today, Jan 1, is a great day to fish, but I'm off to see the grandson.
Bob
Any suggestions of how small my midge flies should be? I watched a bunch of fish taking stuff under the film on Cady Lane but couldn't get a hit on 7x and some sz 24 midge pupae. Any suggestions?
I did hook one raibow below the Y pool but broke her off after the fish took off under a log despite getting the rod,line,and leader under and through the log. Thanks in advance.
Adrian
Adrian,
The 24's should be small enough for most situations on the Swift. There are those who go smaller but their success seems to be the same. When I go small on that river it's usually with size 22 and 24 thread flies.
Ken
Thanks Ken,
I'll keep that in mind for the next time. Dying to get out there badly. Maybe next weekend.
Adrian
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