“There are people in my life who sometimes worry about me when I go off into the fields and streams, not realizing that the country is a calm, gracious, forgiving place and that the real dangers are found in the civilization you have to pass through to get there. John Gierach
Well, the fish are getting out there slowly but surely. Remember, it's still early in the season with a lot of season left. There once was a time when we had the shit show called "OPENING DAY" which was always on the 3rd Saturday in April and I remember fishing in snow squalls or standing in shin deep snow on some little blue line out in the woods or looking at the hordes that lined the banks of popular streams. Now you only find the hordes on the tailwaters it appears because flyfishing for trout starts and stops on tailwaters for many of todays' flyfishers. There may be the obligatory trip to the EB but it's the Swift, Farmy and the Deerfield and that's it for many. For people like me that is a good thing because I don't like crowds. In fact, I'd rather fish a freestone that's in good form than fish a tailwater. I fish tailwaters when the freestones are not in good form such as in the winter or a deep drought in summer. My best memories of flyfishing in this State are on the Millers, EB and the Squannacook and those memories involve fishing the "evening rise", the Holy Hour for the eastern flyfisher.If you want to know if your favorite waters have been stocked just go to: Ma DFW stocking and you will have it. Waters stocked on a Monday show up on the report the next day.
Where Did They Go?
It seemed like just yesterday when we had a bunch of guides on the Swift and the EB. I know of three who have hung the "closed" sign on their websites. It's not easy being a guide on a river. First, you don't get to fish as much as you would like. What you do is try to put your clients onto fish and take pictures.
Actually it's fun and that's why I do it. I like the fact that I've pulled some flyfishers away from the "9 to 5 tailwater treadmill" and showed them what a Summer dusk is like on a real trout stream.
Book Me!!!!
18 comments:
It is funny, Ken, that most (I suspect) start fly fishing or fishing at least on freestones or even ponds... And it's when they evolve to some level that the lure of the tailwater seems to pull hard.
I think for some, it's a factor of access, many tailwaters are just easier to access and wade - the swift for dang sure.
I have no issue with folks who choose the challenges of heavily pressured tailwaters. It is a challenge, and I enjoy it too.
But man, fishing waters like the Ware, the swifts other branches, the Quinnie, Stillwater and a zillion other small streams that either never get stocked or only get a single truck of brookies now and then (I'm looking at you W. Branch of Fever Brook... That is some fun stuff.
Heck, in the summer, look to other species some times - that can help a lot with building skills that may not be developed when focused on stillwaters.
It's all fun for sure, and those little rivers or less traveled rivers you alluded too... Awesome fun.
Hello Ken, I read your web site daily and you are just like Charlie Sladan in my neck of the woods. When I walked into his shop ( the only one time), first thing out of his mouth is "how much money did you bring" always looking for a buck. You both have a nerve guiding in those mud holes you claim to be pristine. Tell the truth to your clients and stop duping them the rivers you fish do not compare. Again I bet my bottom dollar you wont post this comment. NO BALLS
PS I am both your age and been around the flyfishing seen for over 60 yrs.
Ed B.
Ed B.,
First, I find it very hard to believe that Charlie wants to know "how much money did you bring" when you walk into his shop and I think that most who go in there wouldn't share your belief. Charlie sells a top line of equipment AND gives away a lot of stream info FREE OF CHARGE!!!!
What are these "mud holes" that you cry about? Sounds that you are drinking from the "tailwater cup" where if the water isn't coming from the 80 foot level it isn't worth it. As I said in this post my best fishing in Massachusetts has been on the Millers, EB and the Squannacook, all freestones and that's not after a recent stocking. The most requested trip that my clients want is a trip to a river that isn't CROWDED!!!
Stay away from the "Mud Holes" and fish above Route 9. Also, you just lost your bottom dollar because your lame comment is posted AND I would think that you would be smarter after 60 years to submit something so lame!!!!
P.S. I HAVE BALLS!
Ken
Hibernation (Will)
Why would the Ware be harder to fish than the Swift - easy wading, great runs and pools and relatively few anglers. Tailwaters, I believe, become a HABIT (like cocaine) because we can see a lot of semi domesticated Bows wandering around with no purpose. That's what hooks so many anglers but there is something very unnatural about it. Give me the Swift in June with sulphurs exploding or October with the BWO doing the same thing. That's when the bows begin to act like REAL FISH. Let's not forget the browns of the Fall feeding on the brookies.
I love Blue Lines and freestones later in the season when the "experts" say the freestones are fished out or are too warm. Conventional wisdom is almost always wrong!!!
Ken
I went to the ware today and didn't have any luck, but another guy caught a few bows. What would you recommend throwing for these early stockers?
Zach,
Fish slow and deep. Use enough weight to keep it down. the pattern is not that important.
Ken
Really Ed B, I’ve guided with Ken and am a regular customer of Charlie, both some of the most knowledgeable and helpful fly fishermen I’ve ever met. Chillout
Thanks!! Would you do a guide on the Squannacook? I've been there a bunch of times and always find spots but have only hooked up once!
Zach,
Charlie Shadan of the Evening Sun Fly shop has a guide to the Squanny.
Ken
The squanny is a special stream to me a place where I have fished in solitude seen much wildlife and really put my rod to work, I really believe it to be underated as one can expect to find fish year round, if you fish the head streams you will run into native brookies if wild trout is your thing and above and below the harbor you can get those "mud hole" browns they love olive buggers and soft hackles, if you have a keen eye for trout lays you will find fish anywhere on this stream!
Charlie doesnt need defending, but I feel compelled to post anyways. When I was learning to fish and tie flies I would regularly go to his shop for info and supplies. Countless times I would pile materials on the counter to buy and Charlie would ask me what my intentions were. Each time he would offer advice that resulted in me putting stuff back on the shelves and making a smaller purchase. He was always looking out for my best interests and trying to SAVE me money. I always appreciated it then and I still do. Great guy. Wish I didn't move so far away from Pepperell.
Dave B
Charlie Shadan has a great shop. It is a shop I would describe as 'having stuff all over'. Really fun to browse and there are deals to be had in some of his bins. Reminds me very much of the old Hunter's Angling supplies in New Boston, NH.
Jeff J.
Ed B - you are a weirdo.
Ken - great stuff as always!
Agreed, the comments on Charlie are completely off base. Anyone who shops there is aware of his character & dedication to his customers.
Ok I cant take it any longer please dont let this sight go like another i follow about bowhunting Like( Will Hibernation) I am not on that sight would have a bunch to add but the hackers destroy the good and i keep my 45 years bowhunting ideas to people I know. Its a few bad apples can ruin a great information sight. Also you and charlie are stand up guys. Maybe we can fish again on jopha or you pick a river. Tincup
Tincup,
Sometimes I miss bow hunting but I gave it up because it cut into my Fall flyfishing. And yes, I'd like to do on of your rivers again.
Ken
Ed, I'm not sure what happened on your first encounter with Charlie Shadan, but you should go back to the Evening Sun again. Charlie is a terrific person and just the opposite of how you described him. If you give him another chance, I think you will find him to be a great resource and an even better person. You are missing out. Bill
Ed is stirring the pot just trying to get some attention. Definitely not to be taken seriously. All of us who have been into Charlie's shop know he is totally knowledgeable and professional.
Peter
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