Maybe it was the great comment by reader Gary (read comments on previous post) who got me to head west to the EB early yesterday morning or maybe I was tired of the crowds on the Swift. Either way the EB seemed very appealing to me with a 350 cfs flow, some eager trout according to Gary and some solitude.
The EB has been "on and off" for me this year. High water then low water followed by a flood and so on. With the Millers having its BEST year in decades my freestone fix has been in Wendell and Irving and not in Chesterfield this year.
The first thing that you will notice is that there is water everywhere. All of the little springs and rills that were dry just a month ago are now fully charged and flowing. Past experience states that when the springs run dry on this river fish somewhere else.
I put on the only Pat's Rubber Legs that I had (Garys suggestion) and immediately hooked a 16 inch brown. It was a beautiful fish that had that color of butter that has been in the sautee pan too long. Then I was robbed of my fly by another trout which made me put on my Hellgramop (mop fly with natural colors to imitate a hellgrammite). That fly took another three fish, another brown and two rainbows, before I ended my trip after two or so hours.
Fish the EB. Last year during late August and September we had great fishing with flows of about 75 to 125 cfs. We will have that for sure this August!!!
Booking Trips
It's not too early to book a trip in September,October and November. My calendar will fill up quickly (it always does) and some will get left out. Three hour August evening trips are great to explore rivers that you know little about. So if you want to leave the same old spot on the same old river for some new waters then contact me at ken.elmer9@gmail.com!!!
That Time Of Year
Is it just me or am I seeing more canoe and kayak traffic on the Swift this Summer? I believe that the hot July just drove people to the river which gets me to thinking: fishers pay to use the water in the form of license fees and excise taxes on fishing equipment. Canoe and Kayak owners don't! They get a free ride down the river probably using public access that our fishing dollars purchased.
Something to think about!!
Ken
24 comments:
Good write up on the EB I was there a few weeks ago with lower flows and not much doing glad it’s picked back up a weekend trip will have to be in store!
Hello Ken
Concerning the canoe/kayak traffic on the rivers, your on the rivers virtually 365 days with your gear that is taxed and fees paid while the river runners have a short summer season to enjoy their recreation for a few days during the summer. They are not running to the rivers everyday as you are doing and they are not policing the places as you are doing. I canoed and kayaked in my younger years and I am an avid fisherman but I do not take a position of ownership of any waterway but one of responsible recreation and enjoyment for all to enjoy. I cant image telling a grandson that water recreation is only for FLY FISHERS. Very selfish of you.
P.S. I bet this wont get posted.
Sincerely, Edward Bonczar
Edward,
I fish the freestones from Spring Through Fall but not winter because they are frozen. Boaters do the same thing!!!
If it means so much then why not support it financially? Fishing and hunting have always paid the freight for public access and land purchases. Time to pony up!!!!!!!!!!
Dalton,
It was good to be there.
I see both sides. I don't know if its a battle that can be won other than perhaps and I am not sure I am in favor of it- imposing a registration/license for non-powered watercraft which revenues are directed to supporting DFW and land purchases etc. I don't like the idea of fee'ing or taxing everything in sight but you have a point about licensing fees for anglers and hunters supporting the way for access and public lands etc. I do not think we should bar those people from accessing navigable waterways - or our whole argument of public access goes to sh*t if we do-we do not want any battles like they have in CO or MT about access. Its been hot this summer- some folks are just trying to find relief...can't blame them and yes its a PITA for anglers but fall is fast approaching and they will be gone soon enough. Besides you will likely see very few if you are fishing the early and late hours of the day.
I'm not opposed to a license fee for boaters so long as the money goes towards river access and care for the river ecology. Kayakers need to get their value and I'm confident would be happy to contribute to a good environmental cause. On the other hand, I have to tell you that the Mass fishing license is hands down one of the best bargains on the planet. I fly fish in the North of England and it is fabulous (albeit they have a horrible drought right now). But, along with your rod license you have to pay for a day ticket of up to $50 for the best locations. Here I can fish several beautiful rivers for NOTHING except gas money. We have a great thing going so, NO WHINING PLEASE
Peter H.
BobT,
I agree in general with you but remember that fishers are subject to a blanket tax on everything from rods, reels, flies, lures, fishing line and so on. We don't object and may not even notice the fee but it's there anyway while other users of our waterways pay nothing to use these resources.
Peter H.
"Here I can fish several beautiful rivers for NOTHING". Where is that? You pay through license fees and excise tax on everything down to your tippet material! There was a movement a few years ago to put an excise tax on optical equipment used by birders. I love birders BUT they screamed like scaled dogs when the idea of chipping in for public access and land purchases were on the table. You shouldn't have it both ways.
Ken
Hey Ken. I'd love to hit the EB, but it is a little far from me (living in Concord). Is the Millers still producing in the heat? Thought about the Quinapoxet, haven't been there in a while but I figure that's pretty warm.
No easy answers...we may have a much bigger problem on our hands if some in DC get their way about certain things such as clean water selling public lands etc...whatever we can do to support the institutions necessary to protect and preserve public lands is a major focus of my life right now...
Interesting thought process. An angler is paying to recreate so why doesn't a tuber or kayaker have to pay. They're having similar enjoyment at the same place as the angler at the same time.
I think the simple explanation is that the water is a naturally occurring resource but that fishery requires inputs to be maintained. There is time, money and other resources invested to bring those trout to your favorite stretch of river. Nobody works for free. Take those licensing fees out and the fish go away. Would we be as enthusiastic about angling the EB or Swift if they had 90% less fish in them?
I love wild fish and I seek them out, but the reality of trout fishing in most of Southern New England is that the stocking is crucial for a healthy angling experience.
As for taxes - everybody pays taxes on everything they do. I would never advocate for more.
As for access - Land use should be free provided it's appropriate. I grew up in Maine and all land, whether public or private, is available for multiple use unless specifically posted otherwise (no trespassing, no hunting, no atv's, etc).
My two cents.
Jon from Oxford
Tippet tax? Are we counting that too? OK. When I add up all those tiny taxes and add the license fee I still end up with a ridiculous bargain. That is a few bucks a day tops. Those taxes keep the river access roads paved and provide for rescue services if I get carried away by the river. The hatchery costs are covered, and we get some (but not enough) environmental enforcement. Let's look at the alternatives. Consider the price of a round of golf or a country club membership - no comparison. If you want to go boating, which I do, then get ready to empty out your life savings or take a second mortgage: it's absurdly expensive.
There is no free lunch, but Mass trout fishing is about as close as you get. The tax and fee burden on us is really low. We can spend on gold plated gear but it is pointless because the fish don't care, as Ken reminds us often. There is more fun per buck than (almost) anything else you can think of. Of course, if you want to get the most out of your fishing long term, then hire Ken a couple of times. That is a sound investment.
On the topic of land conservation, I like the concept I see in mid-coast Maine They have non-profit land trusts that buy up land and maintain trails and access. The Audubon Society does the same for bird areas (so birders are pulling their weight.) The rivers of Mass are quite wonderful but it wasn't so long ago that they were sewers and chemical disposal outlets. We need to keep things moving in the right direction and that takes activism AND money. Maybe us fly fisher-people should be doing more and paying more to keep our rivers clean and cool and trout-friendly. I just am not comfortable with the plan of leaving it all up to the government and public goodwill.
Peter H.
Anonymous,
Yes, tippet tax!! If it's painless for us then it can be made painless for other users.
Jonathan,
I disagree! We have to pay to fish for non stocked species like horned put and bluegills. It's just not trout. Where do you think the $$ comes from for public access? WE pay for that. Other users should chip in.
Ken
What about people like me that kayak and fish? You believe I should pay twice to use the waterways half of which aren't maintained for boating at all, simply because I choose a less invasive way of fishing than wading? You've become a bit of a broken record with the boating thing man. Also (im sure you'll disagree) but most kayakers respect the water and enjoy the view while many fisherman can't seem to help but leave line,worm/lure containers, etc and have one purpose fishing and that is to collect the resource (fish). We can dive even farther in and look at the effects of overfishing, poaching etc. Or the fact that most kayakers go out a couple times a year vs fisherman that are out 4-5 days a week. Your argument to charge boaters clearly has no merit whatsoever it's simply an opinion that doesn't even jive with most of your fans here.
Ryan,
I have a kayak too! I've purchased fishing licenses for four states in the last year. If you want to play you have to pay!!!!
Take a walk to the confluence of the Cold River and the Deerfield if you want to see "respect for the water" This is a stop on the kayak/rafting trail. Water bottles everywhere!!!
Why do you think that this is YOUR FREE RESOURCE and others have to pay? There are 7 states that require owners to register or pay special taxes for their canoes and kayaks. Your time will come!!!!
Ken
You should take a look at where fishing license money is actually going. The VAST majority is surveying fish and stocking fish. They do a very small amount of river cleanup and improvement with fishing license money. There simply isn't enough left over. I will take my kayak through cady lane this weekend in honor of you my friend. Hope to see you there.
Ken - While I believe both the Pittman-Robertson (tax) acts and and Dingell-Johnson Acts (both of which are federal acts) which you refer as the taxes we pay for hunting and fishing were both requested by the sporting communities as a way of recognizing the monetary need for maintaining and enhancing the sports. It would be nice to see other groups come to the same conclusion.
Just Me,
I agree. It would be nice.
Ryan Crow,
"There simply isn't enough money left over". So why don't you and your canoe friends chip in. Very many $$ have been spent securing land and stream access for everyone. YOU don't think you have to contribute? Most of the $$ is spent protecting land from development which doesn't seem to be a problem with you. You feel great cruising a
river that was secured for you with State land for you pleasure. PONY UP!!!
how has the fishing been on the millers river lately? has anybody been there lately
I'v always thought the state should have some type of self pay parking at non staffed state parks. Would serve as a user fee. I have seen it done in other states as either a daily rate or yearly sticker. I'm not normally inclined to recommend an increase in taxes or fees but free rides are not good either. The boat ramp on the Swift river is a good example.
Ken this happen a couple of months ago, fishing one of the rivers in the plum island area, the tide wouldn't let me get to a school of stripers feeding on a dropping tide. Having a old set of waders in my boat I anchored below the school got into the water and walked in the water several hundred yards to a rip and eddy that the fish were feeding on the mummycods emptying the side creek mixing with the river. This all took place in front of a million plus house. First I got told by the help (maybe head cook) then the owner of property. I was to leave I could not fish were I was. Told both were my boat was and I was not trespassing. Of course u know what happen next police showed up. I told them to check their law Mass chapter 91. They had no clue none. I told them if they didn't stop bothering me I would take them to court. They must have checked law because they did say sorry. My point is here is an individual who pays a ton in town taxes none which goes to take care of the river and now thinks he owns it. We need to share the waters with all, its all our rights, we might not like it but we need to respect it, and we need to RESPECT the other which are using it in any fashion. Like you I don't like we might be footing the bill for other to enjoy but as long as they or all what we are doing we should all be able to get along, like you I have several fishing tags from several states and I know are the best bang for the money one can pay for. God Bless all.
Tincup,
You were right. The Public has the right of way along the shore.
Jim W,
Good idea but how many will ignore it?
Bigmster127,
As soon as the flow comes down.
Ken
If you buy a canoe or kayak or a fly fishing float tube for that matter, you are paying a sales tax that contributes to the states coffers, which in turn hopefully a percentage of goes to maintaining our waters. Your fishing and hunting license fees, I would assume a portion goes to the raising and stocking of fish and to game management resources. Most of it probably goes to nepotistic hirings and state pensions, the hacks as Howie Carr would say. The Swift is a big effin clusterhump anyway. Jones-z
I was curious, so I had a look at the MA Fish and Game Budget. (http://budget.digital.mass.gov/bb/h1/fy18h1/brec_18/dpt_18/hlfwe.htm) I am no expert in interpreting such things, but as I read it, the total budget is about $44m, and the "non-tax revenue" is about $17m. I assume that fees paid for licenses by fishers and hunters makes up some portion (all?) of that $17m, which means that the remainder, about 61%, is provide by general tax revenues, which we all support through our taxes. And it looks like almost all ($15m) of the $17m goes to the "Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Administration," i.e., hatcheries, game farms, and the like: resources that exclusively benefit fishers and hunters. If you then add the amount spent on marine fisheries, the expenditures that benefit fishers and hunters already far exceed "non-tax revenues." In other words, if I am reading this correctly, general tax revenues are already significantly subsidizing resources that exclusively benefit fishers and hunters (taken collectively). Just some facts, for what they are worth! Personally, I am happy to share our natural resources with anyone who treats them, and their fellow citizens, with respect. The littering of which Ken speaks, for example, is entirely unacceptable. Just my two cents.
Cheers,
David
David,
There is a significant portion of $$ that comes from the Feds in the form of excise taxes on fishing/hunting equipment. Governors Dukakis, Weld and Romney all tried to raid the DFW fund to balance the budget but were stopped because that $$ is not from the general tax fund.
Ken
Hi, Ken,
Good to know. Thanks for the info.
Cheers,
David
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