WEST TO THE WESTFIELD

September 10, 2003 - I was just contemplating the fact that I haven't heard a lot of jabber around the shop this summer concerning the Westfield River when in saunters Vin Kotowski of Worcester. It seems that Vin and close mate, Chris, have been making frequent expeditions to the watershed throughout the ladder part of August and into early September and faring quite well thank you. It was like extracting molars to get information from the young man but from what I gather his efforts have been concentrated in the Rt.20 area, just on the outskirts of the town of Westfield, adjacent to the hamlet of Huntington. A former Springfield are resident, Kotowski is no stranger to the entire Westfield River system and gushed about how angling has held up nicely throughout the temperate summer months. A dry fly enthusiast at heart, his weapon of mass destruction has been a #14 BWO Catskill style adult, which would be considered portly by any standards.

Also on the agenda have been side excursions to the underrated Green River (No, not the one in Greenfield) in Egremont. This little gem has been a longtime darling of good friend, Lee Robinson of Grafton, who frequently touts the river's ability to maintain cooler water temps throughout the torrid summer season. Lee also maintains that the river is one of the few in Massachusetts to sustain a healthy population of native brown trout that is supplemented by traditional springtime hatchery brood. Expect to find a crystal clear riffle-glide-riffle topography to the place, with eminently deeper pools steeped in integrity. So if your Swifted-out, and need a fix of more conventional, New England style, freestone angling, it would be wise to consider this river for an autumn visit. You will not be disappointed.

TU KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN
The initial meeting of the Greater Worcester Chapter of Trout Unlimited will take place on Thursday, September 11th at the Marlboro Fish & Game Club. The presenting speaker will be Bob Milne. Bob is a NH-based writer and guide who is commonly found on the show circuit throughout the northeast. He'll be rendering a program entitled "The Awesome Androscoggin" which is based on the well-received talk he offered at last year's Marlboro Fly Fishing Show. Bob has graciously agreed to donate a guided Androscoggin float trip worth $300, which will be raffled off at the September meeting. The event kicks-off at 6 PM with a casting demonstration by noted angler, Armand Courchaine. A brief fly tying demo (hornberg) will also highlight the evening's festivities.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB