The Swift got what it deserves - 1400 trout stocked this afternoon. 10 nets full of BIG trout at the Pipe and I will add that hatchery workers waded into the river to scatter the trout and they did a good job at that. Trout were doing their after stocking "rising" aka gulping air all over the river. Cady Lane got stocked as did the Gauge Run (finally). Dido for above route 9 although I didn't witness that.
We have one day of catch and keep on the lower river. Watch for violators and report them. The number is at the top of my home page.
My NESN show is finally up on the NESN home page:
Google NESN "new england fishing season 2" and you will find it. Any feedback is appreciated.
Before the stocking we fished the Bubbler Arm to no avail. Caught a brookie by the Hemlocks that scared off the bow that we really wanted and the went down to the flats above the Duck Pond. That's were we landed a monster chunk bow on a #16 partridge and olive (what else!) that was 18 inches and on trout growth hormones. What a fish!!
After that we fished for some "new" fish that made the reel scream with the high water we fished in. I thought the flow would let off with all of the rain but not so. That may happen on Monday.
It was a good day. My client had never fished the Swift before and now he is converted. A GOOD DAY!!!
Fly fishers - Have a grand 4th of July. We deserve it!!!!
Ken
18 comments:
On Thursday afternoon my daughter and I visited the McLauglin hatchery and fed a few quarters worth of pellets to the trout. There were four tanks filled with trout, we estimated at about 200 fish apiece (but I suppose it could have been 350). We fed the trout and told them we hoped that we would see them again soon. Today, Friday 6/29, we visited the pens before 10am and a little after 11am and found three of the tanks emptied of trout and one tank with fish still in it. We didn’t see any sign of river having been recently stocked throughout our mornings fishing.
I’m pretty sure that there was little stocking of the upper river (dam down trough cady lane) in the morning (except over route 9?) when 75% of the fish were stocked, by our observations. In the afternoon I think that the remaining tank was put in mostly upstream of the hatchery and tree pool. We left at lunch and didn’t see any stocking – where did they put them in?
Finally watched the episode and what a great show it was! I’m headed to the Moosehead Lake region for the Fourth of July week and will be fishing the East outlet of the Kennebec River Monday morning for some landlock salmon and brook trout wish me luck! Happy Fourth everyone!
Ken, you already know my feelings on your NE Fishing episode stardom. I actually do like it online streaming method as well as DVR'd for television. This featured episode that your in is second to none.
A trip to the farmington today, in the heat of the day 2:30 to 4:30 (2 hours) a hat trick, all bows including a 20 incher. All fooled on a #14 partridge and olive on the swing, lots of bugs leavin the water and lots of fish chasing them up. Air temp 76 water temp 55 flow around 240, that should tell you where I was. Anglers here and there on the river, but the 200 yds. I fished, I started alone but was joined by 3 spin guys and 2 fly guys, 6 people in 200yds. thus my early exit and a great dinner at the knox trail inn in East Otis MA. Happy fourth.
mw,
Stocking started at 1pm Friday.
Gary,
Yes, things can get crowded on the Farmie. Gland you did well.
DRYFLYGUY,
Thank you!
Dalton,
I love Moosehead. Tell us how you do!
Ken
this rain is what the millers river and other waters needed. the millers is way up there and a moving along
The partridge and green is really producing on the Farmington. On a cast of three I took my best wetfly caught fish ever a 21"Brown.
The crowds on the Farmington can be really funny. Fished a popular spot one evening last week and NO ONE else in sight. Just me, Sulfurs, and rising trout! Just the way I planned. LOL
Ken Just wanted to pass on to u and your readers that Kay Moulton the owner and founder of surfland has passed away. She was the Ronny Flag of the salt fishing community.
Had a great time fishing with you yesterday Ken! Thanks for introducing me to the Swift—had been wanting to fish it for a few years!
tincup,
That is very sad news about Kay Moulton. My late father-in-law knew Ray and Kay well and fished with Ray at night when Ray said fishing was best. We are better people for knowing them. R.I.P.
Ken
Tom,
It was a pleasure especially that brute of a bow that you took above the duck pen. You know where to go now. I'll see you there!
Ken
Ken,
Watched the full NESN episode, and it was simply excellent. The discussions were great, and the videography felt like it puts the watcher right there with you two on the water. After watching the show, it simply made me want to pack the car and get out there - it elicited that feeling (were it not for high 90's temps right now I'd be doing that!). The second observation is the many subtle camera shots that fly fishermen can really relate to in being on the water; the flow of the current, underwater shots, the line bends/mending, and everything else that captures the feel of being there and feeling the water, smelling the fresh air, etc. Summary - top notch production and you were the perfect guy for this (no Charlie Moore!). Classy!
Jim M
Finally saw the video, Ken. Well done. I enjoyed watching it.
Jim M and Sam,
THANK YOU!
Ken
Ken - I was strictly a Wooly Bugger guy until I saw you talk about Soft Hackles on this blog - it's been a game changer for me, only wish I had the time and skill to tie them...someday. Was on the Saco in NH recently using two SHs at a time and on two casts in a row caught 2 Brookies - one on each fly for 4 fish total...crazy. In fairness they were recent stockies. You ever fish two SHs at a time?
Also - you ever think about selling flies you tie?
Joe,
I will fish two SHs on occasion but mostly I fish one.
I sell some of the patterns that I tie, including SHs, on my website. That will be expanded next winter.
Ken
Hi Ken - I didn't know about the NESN show. Congratulations! You should be proud!
The Swift did come down to "normal" midday yesterday which might have put the bite off a bit. It sure was nice wet wading in 94 degree temps. There was a great Sulphur hatch in the afternoon that had all the Brookies eating. Not so much the others. I took 2 monster Bows in the 18 inch range on Little Brook Trout streamers and a bunch of Brookies on a sulphur emerger. Fish are nicely spread out. I like the high water for that. I'd take the high water all summer and a drop in the fall, but that's me :)
Happy 4th of July to everyone!
Andrew
Andrew,
It was good to see a wide distribution of trout in the Swift. A friend of mine had a novel solution to the Swift stocking routine - Don't stock before July 1st and keep the catch & Release regs in place after 7/1 forever. Any trout caught during the first 6 months of the year could be considered a holdover or stream born. It would also force the tail water crowd to fish freestones in the Spring when they fish best and then fish tailwaters afterwards when we really need them. I like the idea.
Ken
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