HEADS UP ON THE DEERFIELD

May 28, 2002 - If things weren't bad enough on the Deerfield! There are two events anglers will want to be aware of that are scheduled to take place during the month of June. The Zoar Gap Whitewater Plunge, an 8-mile race through Class II & III rapids will be held on Monday, June 17th, and the 12th Annual Charlemont Canoe and Kayak Race (Zoar Gap to Charlemont center) slated for Saturday, June 19th. Just a friendly "heads up" if you plan to be on the watershed during these periods.

A private concern is now managing the outflow of the Deerfield to optimize the production of electricity at the expense of the fly fishing community. This does not bode well for individuals wanting to utilize the resource as a cold water fishery. We would not recommend you initiate the four-hour round-trip journey from central Massachusetts only to find dirty and out of shape water awaiting you at the end of your trek unless you are positively certain that the discharge is manageable. While it is true that the Deerfield can be effectively fished during periods of extreme water release, it is often a laborious and unfulfilling endeavor.

THE MILLERS, A DEERFIELD ALTERNATIVE
This watershed, as has been the case for a number of years, has been the crowned jewel for veteran central New England cold water aficionados. We recently chatted with Don Piktailis of Princeton, and he enthusiastically recounted a recent experience he enjoyed on the river. Piktailis favors the Wendell Depot stretch, just west of the Rt. 2 overpass. It is here that the river is easily accessed from Wendell Depot Rd., within close proximity to the tributaries of Whetstone and Osgood Brooks. This expanse is notorious for it's abundant caddis population with mayflies portraying only minor roles. Don's success was achieved by employing a variety of soft hackle patterns obviously designed to mimic the form of an emerging caddis and fished just subsurface during sporadic adult activity. The angler brought numerous rainbows to net and was genuinely impressed their size and quality (the smallest being a 13" specimen).

Being the major east-west water drainage along the Rt.2 belt, keep in mind that the Millers water level is greatly influence by sudden cloudbursts and periods of extended precipitation. During late spring it is quite typical for the river to remain off condition for five or six days following major rain events. For many years I've labored along the Millers and considered this watershed my "home waters" for a variety of reasons: 1) It's close proximity to central Massachusetts, 2) The absence of angling pressure (which remains true today), and 3) It's holdover potential, which is supplemented by the state's liberal stocking program.

If planning a Millers River sojourn during mid to late spring (the River fishes best from late May until mid June), may we suggest the appropriate arsenal: an array of caddis adult patterns (14-16), earth tone wool buggers (8-10) for hatchless periods, large black stones (6-8), and a lighter mayfly pattern (PED or Cahill) (16-18) for evening fishing.

THE HATCHES
We are entering a period when late afternoon and evening fishing should excel, at least of the dry fly end. Keep an eye peeled for March Browns (10-12), one of our healthier proportioned, more distinctive mayflies, and Light Cahills (14-16) to be of significant importance. Enhance your box with a smattering of summer caddis patterns (14-16), and BWO's (18-22) for insurance. As the weather continues to warm it would not be out of the question to experiment with a terrestrial or two for good measure.

Good fishing and safe wading,

JB