Yes, It is the driest Summer since 2010 and it looks like we will beat that evil record before this Summer is through. But all is not lost. Native trout always seem to be able to make it through dry times. If the browns of the Millers made it through the summer of 2010 they will make it through 2016!
What about aquatic insects? They will be fine too. First, virtually all summer mayflies are evening and night hatching insects. The local Isonychia is a good example of a fly that hatches at night but by Fall hatches at mid day. Check out the streamside stones along the EB to see the proof. There will be many nymph cases. The dainty Blue Wing Olive will never hatch on a bright sunny day BUT will hatch on an overcast one.
The Swift is still hone to one larger mayfly that hangs on throughout the summer. It's the Cream Cahill and it's about a size 14 and it has a dusky, beige color. It's never a full fledged hatch but a slow dribble of insects that last until late September. Check our Thomas Ames book Hatch Guide for New England Streams for a good description.
The Swift is the only trout game in town east of the Deerfield River and it is fishing great! Now, one would guess that it would be packed with anglers and if the Y Pool parking lot is any indication that C&R section is packed BUT I guided two beginners on Sunday for 3 hours BELOW Route 9 (from the Gauge Run to the Horse Farm) and saw only 4 other fly fishers. One of my clients caught her first trout on a fly rod - a 14 inch brown!!! We basically had the place to ourselves and it was a great time.
I've always felt that the Swift below Route 9 is superior to the CR above Route 9 as a trout fishery!
Although it doesn't feel like it we have lost 45 minutes of daylight since June 21 - the longest day of the year. By the 3rd week in August there will be dew on the morning lawns and we will know that the season is changing.
August is a beautiful time to fish the Swift. A 3 hour trip fits into any schedule. I'll show you places away from the crowds and where the trout live and if it's a morning trip you can stay and fish all day. What could be better!
Ken
8 comments:
Your cream caddis reminded me of last week at the Swift. Not long after I had drifted a sunken black ant into the jaws of a waiting buttery brown, I noticed a quite large light colored bug with an upright wing bounce down the riffled current. Trout food I thought. Then it silently disappeared below the surface without a trace. I tied on a #14 elk hair caddis and drifted it over that spot at least half a dozen times before it was slurped by a fine rainbow – that fought like a wet sock (perhaps because it had fooled earlier in the day). Anyway, watching her take the caddis capped the morning.
The Swift,The Swift,The Swift some day I'll make it. Now Sunday morning to the EB, looking at the river puts a tear in my eye. But armed with my 4wt. and the thought to fish on top I went to the last pool in the C&R. Nothing was coming up, so switched to a nymph (small black stone) to search the bottom. 1st cast vicious hit pulling the nymph up (leisenring) but he promptly broke my tippet a mistake leaving the 6x on. Next the MB where the river runs into Littleville Lake clear water,stealth,fishing on top,nothing except people in kayacs What a difference a month makes.
Bob O,
My cream caddis was actually a cream cahill, a mayfly. I think that's what you saw and what you meant. They are there, not in big numbers after the sulphurs, but they get the trout interested.
Gary Cranson,
You are a brave and persistent angler! I've decided to give the EB a break although I know where the deep spots are. Same for the Millers. The Swift has been sooo good and I've been fishing and guiding there mostly alone.
Let's hope for rain. Until then hit the deep pools!
Ken
Ken, Yes I think it was a mayfly that I saw slurped - a big one, the body seemed 1.5" or more long, with an upright cream colored wing. It had to be big for me to see it. My EHC seemed closest thing in my box. Great blog. Keep up the good work.
Ken,
I am thinking of taking a drive out to the swift on Friday and bringing my kayak. I was going to put in on cold spring road. I beyond the water is deeper what type of flies should I try.
Also is looking to hit the cady lane section on foot. Is that the road on east street just south of the hatchery?
Mike
Bob O,
I have not a clue what that 1.5 inch mayfly could have been. Some big, nasty drake of some sort? The Cream Cahill is about a size 14 at the largest.
Mike C.
Use buggers and large ants and beetles below the launch site.
River Rd is where you want to be. Park at the Pipe and follow the stream or the aqueduct path downstream to Cady Lane.
Hi Ken -- Been fishing all around the Swift this week. Today really tried to stick to terrestrials, but they dropped the water level on my so my hoppers were getting scrutinized and bumped too much. I switched to an 18 Cinnamon Ant and took a beautiful Brown from the Y pool on second cast, some Brookies, but the Bows wouldn't look at it. . I moved below rte 9 and fished around the Duck Pond with a size 16 CDC sulphur emerger that took a bunch of nice brookies and a big Bow. I believe I was either matching some late PM Dorethea's or your Cream Cahill's?? I like to fish a CDC as a dry upstream and then drown it and swing it like a soft hackle for the downstream swing. Another 90+ degree day where "wet wading" felt very liberating.
Falsecast,
I got there just after the flow dropped to 50cfs. I fished the Duck Pond Tuesday pm but only got small brookies. All were on ants.
Try using cdc and partridge for a dry/wet fly!
Ken
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