"Angling is extremely time consuming. That's sort of the whole point" - Thomas McGuane
Swift River
The brookies are finally starting to move on the Swift and one of the first signs of this are the rainbows jockeying for position behind the BT. The aggressive positioning over traditional spawning areas creates a surface disturbance that's easily noted and a careful eye will detect the brookies just above the commotion. Small egg patterns, small Partridge and Orange soft hackles and small scud patterns work year after year on this river in October and November. Don't miss this action!!!!
It looks like we could get some REAL rain this coming week which should bring the Connecticut River UP and the Swift DOWN. That will really get the brookies on the beds!!!
The Millers
We are in the middle of the best continuous BWO hatch that I've ever seen in over 30 years on this river.
The action starts around noon (earlier on warmer days) and goes to sundown. The snowshoe and CDC emergers that I use are in the 20 to 22 range and they are working. Believe it or not, the low flow is working to our benefit as the trout realize that they have an option aside from grubbing around for nymphs. The best dry fly fishing that I've EVER had on this river is during low flows like these. The BWO starts hatching when the water temperature nudges 55 degrees. BTW, the warm water days on the Millers are over until next Summer!!!
Remember, the rain forecast for next week may bump the Millers UP and possibly WAY UP. Check this blog for up to date flow readings.
The Ware
It just keeps producing and will probably produce through November. Fish Church Street SLOWLY working those undercut banks.
The EB
Late October and still no Fall stocking. The flow is ok and the water temperatures are in the 50's so what's the problem?? To add insult to injury the DFW stocked the MANHAN RIVER AND IT'S BRANCHES last week. For those not familiar with the stream we can say that it's NOT on the Fall stocking list and it has no water!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, it's only about 20 minutes from the EB. How this trickle gets fish and the longest C&R section in the State gets zip is a mystery!! Maybe they will find some fish to stock this coming week.
Ken
7 comments:
Ken! I also find it strange that they haven't stocked the Westfield near the Gorge. Stocking the Manhan did seem like an odd decision considering that it is a much smaller river and has never appeared on the Fall list. I hope they get on it soon so I could try that section, I've heard very good things. Also, I can't wait for this rain, it is LONG overdue. They stocked the Isinglass River (NH) yesterday and this rain should help spread fish out some.
Took a ride out to the foggy Swift Wednesday (the water was 20 degrees warmer than the air) and fished from the Rt.9 bridge down to below the duck pond with few brookies to be seen in that whole stretch. Some bruiser bows were by the bridge getting hammered by some spin casters. The big action was above route 9 that day with a good quantity of rainbows chasing down little olive streamers (1-1 1/2" long) especially when stripping them fast along the bank like an escaping minnow. Laid eyes on some big brookies sidled up next to the bows but nothing like a few years ago at this time when there where hundreds of brookies of all classes on the gravel. I was surprised by the huge schools of suckers well above rt 9 just hovering on the bottom in the slower water, they must be waiting for the spawn to happen too. Some of these suckers were in the 14" plus range. Too bad they were not interested in anything that didn't bump them on the nose.
TC
Ashu,
Up to 3 inches of rain predicted on Tuesday/Wednesday. They will have no excuses for not stocking the EB unless they ran out of fish!
TC,
Good to hear from you!
This year, and early Fall of last year are different because of the heavy release from Quabbin. High water kept most brookies off the beds last year until the water went down.
Suckers - at least they're not smallmouth bass!!!!!
Ken
Ken
I too have concerns about the EB. The Manhan???? Why did it get stocked???
GW
Needed rain coming! Hopefully things will change with the EB. Lower Swift to boot.
Anonymous at 6:31,
Who knows!!!!!
Sam
I hope the predictions are correct this time.
Ken
Swift has fallen to 50 cfs. Probably will be there through the winter. That bug is a winner.
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