Avoiding The Crowds, Avoiding The Plague And The State Of The Rivers Again

 

"Nobody Goes There Anymore. It's Too Crowded" - Yogi Berra

I went to the Swift this morning (Friday) to get into some of this dry fly/nymphing action that

has taken over the Y Pool over the last week or two.  I was there twice this week, once with a client and once, for a very short time, just to scout the place out.  Lots of rising trout and lots of fly fishers.

That was to be expected since most of the trips started at mid morning.  Today I wanted something else.  So I got there around 6:30, saw no cars in the parking area and soon I had the Y to myself. Yes, there was a light rain and I think that kept the crowds sleeping in.  The short story was that I took 3 on a size 22 black and starling soft hackle in a size 22 and the rest and all the misses on size 26 brown midge larvae. I left at 10:45.  It was a good morning but not because I caught some difficult fish.  It was a good morning because I planned the trip for an early start (actually it should of been earlier) on a rainy forecast and I had SOLITUDE for most of the time. Only two showed up by 9:30. I like Gary from Westfield and old Bill R. BUT fishing alone is what I like the best.

Some may say that the midge action doesn't start till mid day. That's true in many cases but not today.  Rises were fairly sparse but I didn't care.  I would rather catch one trout alone than three with an audience.  There's just something about very early morning and as evening slides into dusk.  Both times are magic!!

If you complain about bait or lure slingers crowding you out than one can only say  that you are fishing in their territory which is most likely in close vicinity to a stocking spot because that's where they do what they call "fish'un".  Move a few hundred feet above or below the bridge, boat ramp or other convenience and you will avoid them and you'll avoid, hopefully, exposure to covid-19.

Most of my clients want SOLITUDE and I can give it to them even on a destination like the Swift.  I'll show them the famous spots on the Swift which will always be crowded but we generally leave them alone unless they are devoid of anglers.  My other rivers are easy to get lost on.   I have to laugh when I hear or read that someone has solved the EB or the Millers.  Translation - They're probably fishing the stocking spots not long after the stocking trucks have left.

Covid-19 Facts

The average age of a covid-19 fatality in Massachusetts is 81

The average age of all covid -19 cases in Massachusetts that required hospitalization is 68.

Draw your own conclusions but don't let your guard down.

The Rivers

The Millers - at 1150 and dropping 50cfs a day as long as we don't get a lot of rain.  Fishing really starts on this river for a fly fisher at 600cfs

The EB - 477 cfs but they have been playing with the flow. Personally I believe that the flow will continue to drop without rain.  477 is fishable. Quill Gordons will rule!

The Ware - Finally down to 321 and dropping.  I love that river.  Hendricksons in two weeks

The Swift - 133 and slowly rising.  Big deal! fish it anyway!!

The WB - 289cfs and that's the lowest this Spring

All of the above streams have been stocked.  Don't ask when but they have been stocked.

Ken