John D. Voelker once said, “Fly Fishing is a magic way to recapture the rapture of solitude without the pangs of loneliness.” Any fly angler knows what he was referring to. Fly fishing allows for men (and women) to find peace in a chaotic world where we are often in sensory overload with the constant sounds and sights of bustling cities. Flylords Mag
There were already 8 cars parked at the Rt 9 lot at 6:45 on Sunday morning which was too much for me. I do get tired of fishing the same place for too long and even the draw of salmon wasn't enough to get me back there. "Let's try the Pipe." First, I was the only one there which was good. Second, the 370 flow on Sunday morning put the Pipe UNDERWATER. This will happen about every three years or so but it has never killed the fishing. You just fish DEEP.
Wading was difficult to say the least. No, I didn't cross over and stand on the shore but got out in the current but only about 10 feet out. I used a size 12 partridge and orange and roll cast into that seam and managed 5 bows in that crazy flow. The fly was about four inches above the slip shot sinker which did the trick. A scud did nothing. (sometimes I play with the idea of fishing one fly pattern all year long and that would be a P&O SH)
My good deed for the day was informing two lure tossers that the trout that they just caught had to be released which it was. They actually thanked me for enlightening them!!!
Tuesday Morning Two things would keep the crowds down and the first was the weather (snow/rain mix) and the fact that it was a Tuesday! Again, I was the only one above RT 9 which is a real rarity these days and now I had to deal with a 409 flow!!! So, on go a brace of #12 P/O and a good rainbow slams it. (they fight harder than the salmon). Next was a 16 inch brown and then after a hour came the salmon.
There are redds all over the place from just below the power lines right up to the Y Pool. Don't walk on them for the next three months!!!
Double Taper Lines
My favorite style of fly fishing on the Swift is during the skinny water of Summer and Fall (not this Fall) which requires small, unweighted flies, long leaders and a gentle cast whether you are fishing on the surface or below. These are the conditions that send euro nymphers off to other waters and that's where the venerable double taper design comes into play. The Double Taper is built for stealth fishing unlike a weight forward and it especially shines when one roll casts which is a real asset on the Swift.
Another fly line design is the Wulff Triangle Taper which actually outshines the DT in real skinny water conditions. It is a roll casting machine! I rig up either a DT 3F or a Wulff 2wt to either a bamboo or graphite rod between 7 feet and 8.5 feet and toss tiny flies all day. These lines never see the Millers or the EB where a 4 or 5wt weight forward is the logical choice but they see the Swift and the West and Middle branches of the Westfield. which are perfect for them.
Book Me
You have a few hours left on that 2018 license. Yes, I'm still guiding and if you want to get into some salmon just contact me!!
Ken
