THE CHANGING FLOW

May 6, 2003 - Water levels, particularly in small to mid size watersheds, have begun to recede dramatically and are approaching optimum flow for wading anglers. It won't be long before we enter a period when more precipitation is required to sustain these near perfect conditions.

We have begun to receive fair to good reports from anglers prospecting many of the less notorious brooks and rivers of central Mass. The Burnshirt and Canesto along Rt. 62 in Barre, the Prince River that parallels Rt. 32 in the same town, the West River in Upton, the east and west Branch of the Ware River in Hubbardston, and the east branch of the Swift River in Petersham were in good shape as of this writing and nymphing angler are faring quite well on these watersheds. Dry fly aficionados will be pleased to hear that Hendricksons (12-14) and Red Quills (14-16) along with a smattering of Caddis (16-18) have become evident particularly during warmer days. Look for these hatches to commence during early afternoon, and in some cases, continue sporadically throughout the balance of the day.

CONNECTICUT WAY
Connecticut resident, Jack Witek, along with a companion, recently took a week away from business chores to focus on two lovely rivers located within the Nutmeg State. Recent hip replacement surgery did little to slow this veteran angler down as he was able to entice in excess of a hundred trout to net while toiling along the banks of the Natchaug River (Rt. 198) and the Five Mile (Ma/Ct border). His fly selection included a cadre of wooly buggers fished slow and deep with only a few surface snared fish to his credit. While the Hendrickson/Red Quill hatch was evidenced on various occasions, low water temperature and lack of abundance seemed to hamper surface activity.

SHORE FISHING THE REZZ
A bubbling Ann Marie Magiera paid us a visit recently and was proclaiming the health of the smallmouth bass fishery that exists in the Wachusett Reservoir. Armed with a fresh fist full of bead head buggers she was off to explore Gate 6 of the impoundment, an area that has been quite benevolent to her during the early spring. Her trophy to date… an exquisite 4 pound hen fish! Shore fishing for smallies will continue to improve as we proceed into the fifth month. Anyone that has yet to sample the extremely righteous SMB angling the rezz has to offer is truly missing the proverbial boat. The Wachusett has been the venue for countless all-tackle state records including; brown trout (19lbs. 10oz.), landlocked salmon (10lbs. 2oz.), rainbow trout (13lbs. 13oz.), smallmouth bass (8 lbs. 2oz.), and white perch (3lbs. 4oz.). On a side note… keep in mind that wading is not permitted on the reservoir and angling hours remain from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. These regulations are strictly enforced… ask Peter Perrine.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB