The Heat is on and has been on for three weeks. Add in a lack of rain over the last two months and you will a situation that we don't want to see. The Millers is too low to fish and the EB is right behind it. That leaves our little tailwater - the Swift.
Late afternoon on July 20th found me eyeing the 8-10 cars at the Y Pool lot. No way!! The "Pipe" section had almost as many. It was then that the old idea came back - what about the Lower Swift? Not Cady Lane but much further downstream, that Bondsville section. Why not.
Five miles later found me looking at a river that was totally different than its upstream section. Gone were the shallow, placid runs with their sand and gravel bottom. In their place was a shaded, turbulent (for the Swift) river with plenty of boulders but with plenty of deep pools mixed in with plenty of riffles. What was also missing from the lower river were the hordes of anglers (I was alone)and the kayaks and tubers! The water was clear but not the gin clear condition seen miles upstream. One thing that it had in common with the river around rt9 was the water temperature. It registered 62 degrees which was surprising when one thinks of the impoundments just upstream.
The fishing - it was all dry fly. First with a stimulator in the heavier water and ending with #16 sulphurs as the hatch began. I took ten rainbows on this trip and they ran from some pint sized 10 inch trout to a few that pushed the fifteen inch mark. BTW, this place is a nymph fishers dream. It's classic water is that respect.
So, in this horrid Summer I have found an intimate, shaded river that looks like a mountain stream that is running in the low 60 degree range. Will it now become crowded?? I doubt it. The "Y" and the "Pipe" will continue to draw their faithful but if you are looking for some solitude go WAY down river!!
12 comments:
Ken, is that the part of the river downstream of the dam in the picture? That area seems to have a lot of POSTED signs. Is there good access below there? tight lines -Gerry
Gerry,
The section that I fished may be a half mile downstream from the dam in the photo. I have seen no POSTED signs where I fished. The closest thing to a posted sign was a company's sign asking fishermen to park on the public road and not their access road.
Thats a spot I like to hit year round. No crowds, and plenty of fish including some real surprises once in a while. It's a cool spot :)
I fish there often and rarely see anyone else. Always productive. Can be a bit technical with all of the overhanging branches, etc., but at dusk the big pool near where you park absolutely comes alive with top water activity. Unfortunately from the left side of the river looking upstream is a very difficult pool to get too.
Ken, I'm confussed about where you are parking and where you access the river from in this section. You indicated somewhere like 5 miles downstream from Cady Lane, is that right? What "company sign are you referring to?
Thanks for your help, Skip
Skip,
Tom Fuller's book turned me on to this place. From the "pipe" parking lot head downstream on river road just short of five miles. You go through Bondsville. The dam in the photo is on the right in this village and you can park there and fish downstream or drive downstream to a sign that says "industrial park" on the right. The "sign" that I mentioned is maybe a mile or so on the road below that (another industrial park sign). It's fairly easy to find.
Ken
Ken,
Have been debating trying "downstream" the past few times out to the Swift, after reading Fuller's book. Your blog finally gave us the impetus to actually try it! Had a great day (in the rain) yesterday - no dry action but plenty on nymphs - 5 'bows including a 16-incher, and a wild brookie, with several fish lost. Access is good from either of the industrial parks, with a trail all along the river. The only fishermen we saw was a dad worm dunking with his two kids.
Ken,
This is John. You guided me and Mike the day they stocked the Millers earlier this year. Curious the water you fished. I ususally park at the Depot Street Bridge and fish from there upstream until the split in the river and the half a football field long pool. There is a great stretch of river just upstream of an old decrepit (sp) bridge where a feeder brook comes in on the opposite side of the river. Got at least 5 wild brookies there this morn. Unfortunately the river took its revenge. In trying to reel in an underwater nymph snag, the tip of my rod came off and was gone. Good thing my rod came with two tips. Just a bit embarrassing even though I was alone. In any case, curious if this is the same water you hit.
Mike,
glad that you did well on this section of the Swift. I was there this morning - fog on the river and yesterdays raindrops falling from the tress. Water temperature was 60 degrees. I took three 'bows on dries (think I've become a purist)and played chess with another 'bow and a brown that drove me crazy in a good way!! I saw only two other fly fishers (one was Skip from an earlier post) and a husband/wife team plying bait. there was plenty of room.
John,
I've never fished above Depot Rd. but now you have me hooked!! BTW, a local TU'er told me about a year ago that Fall brookie fishing on this section can be beyond belief. Can't wait!!
Flow is back down to 55 cfs. Boo. Thanks for the reminder about the lower Swift. I'm resolved to explore more of that water. And will let you know how I make out.
Tight lines. bob
I finally took an opportunity to hit this lower swift section. I fished up off depot st. Caught 5 brookies 1 rainbow. Lost 4 more. Three I lost early in the fight but the last was a nice rainbow in a swift section of water. I had him for a minute or so then I think I tried to horse him in too much and he came off.
Mike,
This section is loaded with fish and not loaded with fishermen.
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