RAGS TO RICHES

June 19, 2004 - It was only about a week ago that Deerfield River reg and FFF casting guru, Dave Benoit, reported the terrible fishing conditions he was experiencing on the river. Inconsistent water releases, lack of hatches and inclement weather were the contributing factors leading to a rather dismal spring season. Aggressive sink tip lines and weighted flies have been the order of the day, and even then there were only scattered reports of modest success.

As many of you know, Dave has a good handle on the river, so it’s always wise to put an ear to the ground when be initiates a diatribe about his favorite Massachusetts watershed. His constant persistence has paid dividends. A beaming Benoit entered the shop the other day and could not get the words out fast enough. "Hatches, we got hatches." Within the last week he experienced one of his finest days of trout fishing in some time, with most of the fish coming to a caddis dry. It seems that recently the river has come alive with insect life, which to this point had been somewhat nonexistent. The perpetual raising and lowering of water levels in recent years has dramatically effected the insect life as most bugs are exposed to the elements once the releases are terminated. The trick involving this watershed has always been to catch the water releases at fishable conditions (somewhere under 5000 cfs with 1000 cfs being most desirable). Not an easy chore since data garnered from the water release "hot line" is often reliable.

DOING THE LIMBATA
Anglers residing in northern Connecticut and Rhode Island has been purchasing large quantities of Hexagenia Limbata nymphs and adults recently which lead me to believe that this nocturnal hatch has already commenced to our south. If you plan to fish this distinctive and exhilarating hatch it usually occurs at nightfall and progressively later as the hatch matures. Look for adults to emerge over slower, silted pools and runs (seldom, if ever, over gravel or pocket water). I have always found that once fish get conditioned to these insects it will get increasing difficult to experience success during daylight hours, as most serious feeding will occur after nightfall.

THE TRAVELING ANGLER
It’s a week at Pierce Pond in Maine for area residents Bob Thunberg, Ted Purcell and Mike Peluso, a yearly tradition dating back to the early 90’s.

The Green River in Utah beckons Dr. Jim Gould, Bob Thomas and friend Norm. A float and a bit of wade fishing are on their menu.

Rumor has it that Dave Benoit is headed to Montana to take a river guide course that will hopefully add to his life list of fly fishing achievements.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB