There are still plenty of trout to be chased on the Swift but you will have to fish very slowly for them with these frigid temperatures which have created a drag on their metabolisms. Actually, the warmest water is coming out of the bubbler arm since it comes from the depths of Quabbin. By warmer I mean just a degree or two but just that will make them more active.
On cold days being the first on the water at the crack of dawn is a fools game. Let things warm up first by having a good breakfast and an extra cup of joe. Chances are the early birds will be chipping ice from their guides and looking for hand warmers. You will start at 10 am and fish til 4 pm, the warmest part of a winter day and you will probably do well. That's what the staff at the upCountry Fly Shop says and I think they are right.
Look for the Winter Caddis in late morning by the Y Pool especially if the temperatures get into the 40's.
Crowds are low on normal winter days and we can explore some spots that you've planned to get to. Book A Trip
Cady Lane Renovations
Overall, it could be an improvement.
The pattern has proved it's worth and is now available on this site. It's taken many December and January trout for my clients and I and you should have some in stock. Sizes 12 through 16.
10 comments:
If you are going to cast weighted flies and or sink tips you better be using an oval or belgian cast or plan to pay for rod repairs! I see a lot of folks that don't figure it out and pay the price especially in very cold temps.
Anonymous 1:19,
Oh, is that what it's called. Been doing it intuitively for years.
Ken
Wow, that is a mess down by the horse farm. I hope that's all of it. Years ago a big pine fell a few hundred yards above and someone took a chain saw to it.
Bill K.
Woody debris in the water is generally a good thing - bug and trout habitat should benefit hopefully.
BobT,
Good point. 20 years ago a F&W scientist told me that the Swift could have more trout carrying capacity, especially above route 9, if there was wood debris to add nutrients to what is fairly sterile water. I spoke to that same scientist about 2 years ago and he felt that the explosion of brookies in the last 10 years on the Swift was the result of downed trees from hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm which knocked hundreds of trees into the river.
Ken
We can only hope!
It was a pleasure to greet you on the river in the cold morning yesterday. Hope you and your sports connected in their second half. True to your blog, the fishing warmed up as the temps rose. One fellow arriving around noon, a dedicated dry flyer stated he seldom comes out much before noon or one on these winter days. 32F and no wind is his lower threshold. Even he was fishing underneath, till he was alerted to rise forms in the pool below. I left him plying his trade. Moving up to another, often overlooked area, a fine rainbow came to the net before I called it a day.
Thanks for your consistently informative blog. I resort to it often, and have gleaned much. Keep up the good work.
Bob O,
Good to meet you too. It was just a short trip yesterday so we were winding up shortly after you arrived. We fooled some but strangely couldn't net them.
The M.O. on the "fellow arriving around noon" sounds like Dan T.
I'm glad that you like the blog and I'll keep it coming. No doubt we will meet again during balmier times!
Ken
Yep, Dan T, that was him.
One of the sure benefits I've gleaned from your blog over the years is fishing the soft hackle. How to tie, materials like partridge and starling, and (above) copper wire, and how to fish. Thank you.
Thank You Bob!!!
Ken
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