Well, we knew it was going to happen. One look at the lengthening sandbars on the Connecticut River and we knew that the Swift's flow would increase and it did yesterday. From a skinny water challenge (47 cfs) to a popular 119 cfs. Sandbars?? What's up with that. If you don't know than here's the tale again: when the CT River gets too low water has to be released from the Quabbin to supplement the big river. This conditions occurs at sometime during most summers and will last until we get a good rain event to recharge the CT. River. Keep in mind that the rain event doesn't have to be felt locally. Northern New England can get blasted by storms while we are bone dry and the big river will be full.
This month on the EB will be a lot like last year - Excellent!!! (Backcast on this blog to August 2014 for details) It's still an early morning/evening river until later this month. I've done well and I've had good reports come in. I LOVE casting dries on this river in July and August, especially hoppers!
Now, why is the Pipe so good? First, to kill confusion I'll call the PIPE the section from the hatchery outflow to the end of the long pool. The pool is also known as the Tree Pool and the Hatchery Pool.
There are more rising trout in the section than anywhere else in the river. It is rising trout ALL DAY. Why is that?
First, the water coming out of Quabbin is fairly sterile but begins to pick up nutrients as it heads south. When the hatchery outflow joins the river it supercharges the river with nutrients. The nutrients are the result of the decaying waste that is produced in the facility. More nutrients mean more insects and in this case it means more MIDGES. They love that environment and it is reasonable to believe that many of the midges below the pipe originated in the hatchery. In any event it is a season long event and we are happy for it!
Be aware that this discharge is monitored and is not classed as a pollution event (except for that one Saturday last Spring).
Last evening we chased the tail end of the sulfurs through the "flood" and did fine.
Ken
13 comments:
I believe the story goes that: when the Ct River daily average flow at the Montague City USGS site falls below 3500 cfs for 3 consecutive days, they raise the flow of the Swift until the daily average remains above 3500 cfs for 3 consecutive days. I'm not sure if it's 3500 but am sure that it's between that and 5000 cfs,
Al
Al,
I'm not sure of the numbers either but when the CT goes down the Swift goes up. 80% chance of rain on Tuesday may change things on the Swift.
Ken
Hi Ken,
Visited the EB for the first time ever. You are most certainly correct...beautiful stream and area. I didn't fish as it was almost noon. Where do you park, at the Gorge visiting lot where they charge $2.50 a person? Anyway the attendant said you can drive down River Road but parking is not permitted at all along the road. The wife and I took a walk about a mile down the road. Is the fishing good all the way down that road? I did notice catch and release signs all along our way and also No Parking signs. Don't get me wrong...I don't mind walking to fish. Just was curious if there is parking further down the road and if the fishing is good all the way. Thanks.
Hi Ken,
Visited the EB for the first time ever. You are most certainly correct...beautiful stream and area. I didn't fish as it was almost noon. Where do you park, at the Gorge visiting lot where they charge $2.50 a person? Anyway the attendant said you can drive down River Road but parking is not permitted at all along the road. The wife and I took a walk about a mile down the road. Is the fishing good all the way down that road? I did notice catch and release signs all along our way and also No Parking signs. Don't get me wrong...I don't mind walking to fish. Just was curious if there is parking further down the road and if the fishing is good all the way. Thanks.
At the Swift on Saturday evening, just below the Bridge and cast a Size 12 Wooly Bugger into the bank - had a 3-4 inch brookie hit it and then a big rainbow hit the brookie and had it sideways in his mouth, so had both fish on at the same time. Figured the rainbow would let go so didn't focus as well as I should, but he held on and I played them up to the net, but couldn't land them. Strangest thing I've seen. Anyone else have this happen to them?
I have never fished the EB before and am new to fly fishing in MA in general. What are some good access points on the EB?
Thanks!
J. Kon,
You can drive down the road (clearance permitted) and park ANYWHERE you find a turnoff against the road. These turnoffs are next to good fishing spots! You will be able to drive about 1.5 miles until you get to a gate. There is good fishing near this gate and downstream. Les's Pool is another mile below the gate and it is awesome.
Don't park at the Trustees lot. Park at the large vacant just down the road to the right. 2 bucks in the container and you are in.
Ken
Joe Smith,
More and more stories of the same thing happening of the Swift. With all of the young brookies.....
Ken
Anonymous,
Find your way to Chesterfield Gorge on the East Branch of the Westfield River. The Trustees of Reservations site will get you there. If you have normal auto clearance you can drive for 1.5 miles and fish wherever there is a TURNOFF.
Ken
A note to Wooley Bugger George:
You found a net and some tippet spools from a friend of mine. See me on the Swift or email me at ken.elmer9@gmail.com so I can get his stuff to him.
Best,
Ken
in a answer to joe smith Yes but at the mouth of the roach river at moosehead lake maine. We were both casting small streamers to brookies and salmon. When a huge lake trout took a 10inch or bigger brookie next to the boat on my friends 4x leader . The explosion was incredible the large lake trout over 20lb was now on 4x. The laker just stayed motionless for a minute, then slowly started swimming off. He started letting out flyline not to put a drag or strain on the line. The huge laker swam towards the main lake. He said he had 60yds of backing when he got to the backing I started the motor and he got line back. Near the lake entrance the fish headed to the bottom and stopped. I kept the motor running my fried plan was to get the fish to run but for me to chase it so he put pressure on it. The plan worked for the first run, but not the second. Retuning to camp that evening the owner of caseys camps said the largest of the lake trout are caught in that way. But by the heavy laker gear. I always keep several different sizes of trout streamers brook, brown, and rainbow since that exciting fall evening. I wrote before at certain times the brookie stream works magic in the swift.
Ken and Friends,
I did not fish the Westfield, or EB as folks know it, yet this week, but looking forward to it later once the new water settles in. I did, however, have my Grandson's and their wives in town over the past week and we all had a few lovely morning trip to the river. The water has been low, but cool in the morning - long leaders and small foam hoppers have been the game for me (perhaps because I can see them best). Anyhow, with the hopes that I won't upset the regulars by letting the cat out of the bag - I did want to point out to some of the folks who have recently asked about access points to the river that from the falls on down there is wonderful fishing. A small path about 5 minutes below the large lot leads to a sun bathing and swimming spot, which holds very nice fish and which I have rarely seen another angler on a weekday. Separately, I have never had any trouble or raised any eyebrows by parking along the road down to the gate and evergreens.
Best of luck, Muggs B.
Tin Cup,
As the Swift begins to turn into a brookie stream we will see a lot of this (big 'bows eating young brook trout) which is a great thing. Even better if large brook trout are eating small brook trout. The brook trout are establishing themselves and this could be a Massachusetts treasure!
Muggs,
There are plenty of turn offs along the road which should be used. Don't park along the road where there is no turn off because you may block passage. There is so much room as far as turn offs go that it is not an issue. Plenty of space, plenty of water!!
Ken
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