2016 will be marked as the year of the great drought. This event actually started back in the late Summer of 2015 and hopefully will end this winter. It was brutal and it closed down the Millers, the EB and the Ware from mid June onward. Now, 2015 was my best year in the guiding business and I wanted 2016 to be better. By mid August I began to think that may not happen but the Swift kept me booked and Fall rains saved the season on the Millers and the EB so the 2016 goal was reached.
I can hardly wait to get back to the Ware River this Spring. It is a totally overlooked gem. If you like crowds and endless conversations then the Ware may not be your place!!! If you like perfect soft hackle and dry fly water then you must visit it!!
Now, this is just an observation with no science behind it but it seems that the number of BIG browns is increasing especially around Cady Lane which seems to be the Winter and Summer hangout for most of the brook trout population. If that 20+ inch brown that I saw swallowing a 6 inch brookie is any indication those browns are well fed and growing.
For those living in western Massachusetts, western Connecticut and the greater Poughkeepsie area I will be giving a presentation on the Millers and the Swift Rivers on Monday January 16 for the Mid-Hudson Trout Unlimited Chapter. I'll post the location early next month although it's easily found online.
I hope all of you have had a good 2016 and that this Holiday Season is full of joy that lasts through all of the New Year.
I'll be squeezing the last few hours out of my 2016 license over the next week. See you on the Swift!!
Merry Christmas!
22 comments:
Ken,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope to see yoou on the river soon enough.
Scott
Merry Christmas Ken, happy holidays everyone! Ken just wanted to say thanks for another year of your blog. I've learned so many locations, strategies and patterns from you and the community of readers over the years. What a great resource especially for folks who have taken up the sport with out having someone to show them the ropes. Keep it up everyone it's important to share our knowledge!
Paul Fay
Hey Ken - I hope you and your family, as well as all the blog readers here, have a very happy holidays and a healthy and prosperous new year with lots of trout!!
-Andrew
Scott,
Good to hear from you. That was a great Millers Day!!! Best to you!!
Ken
Paul,
Thank you and a good Holiday Season to you and yours!
This blog is for everyone with the hope that everyone benefits from it!
Ken
Thank you Andrew (aka Flasecast)
Best best to you and ones close to you. I look forward to your insights in 2017.
Ken
Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2017 wished for you and your loved ones, Ken. I hope to see you on the stream next year!
Best, Sam
Ken and all readers and posters, have a safe and happy holiday.
Sam,
Merry Christmas and next year for sure!!!!!
Ken
Chico,
Thank you and a Happy Holiday Season to you too!
Ken
Merry Christmas Ken, and a great 2017
Ken,
Merry Christmas and HNY to you and yours. Great Blog, and appreciate all the advice and openness in your Blog and content. Hope to see you on the Swift, Millers, Westfield-EB, MB and/or Ware in 2017.... and hope all your readers continue to support all you do. Trout Land rules.
Jim M
Ken
I have plans to fish the Swift New Years day with a couple of college buddies. They are seasoned fly guys and I want to impress as I am not. What would you suggest as the best fly to fish on New Years day on the Swift? I have read that Partridge and Orange is your go to fly for other times of the year. Would it be a good one to start with? Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your great blog and sharing the fun of Fly Fishing with start ups like me.
Ken, hope all is well. I was hoping to roll the dice and hit the swift next Tuesday. You mentioned caddy lane, are there fish there, above the pipe or elsewhere? Thx for the tip.
Happy holidays to you Ken and everyone who reads the blog!
Lenny
Brk Trt,
Thank you and keep doing what you do!!
Ken
Lenny,
Thank you Lenny!
Ken
Dwight,
I did well on the bubbler arm Friday at mid day with Scuds. The brook trout must be all down in Cady Lane by now.
Ken
Quinney,
I did well with scuds in fast water Friday. The P&O is still a go-to fly
Ken
Jim M.
Thank you very much!!
Ken
Ken,
Thank you for another great year of posts. Your blog and the posted comments are insightful flyfishing resources. Wishing you the very best for the coming year. See you on the water.
Bob O
Bob O,
Thank you Bob! Seems like we missed each other on the Swift this year. Hoping too that we run into each other in 2017.
Ken
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