DEERFIELD FLOATS

August 18, 2006 - Living in central Massachusetts our local fisheries are simply what they are, small to medium size watersheds offering residents of a pretty populous state the opportunity to experience some relatively decent trout fishing. Without traveling to the American west our fishing sessions are usually comprised of wading streams and rivers that could easily be negotiated by a roll cast, particularly during the torrid summer months.

Well now you wont have to travel to Wyoming to get the thrill of floating a large western-style watershed. Dan Harrison (harrisontrad@hotmail,com) has initiated a float fishing guide business catering to fly anglers of all skill level. Dan has many years of experience and gained his seasoning while guiding in Chile and Montana. Good friend Jack Varley is in the process of scheduling a float trip on the river and we will be sure to report on his adventure at a later date.

According to Harrison…"Floating the Deerfield has been great this summer and I have seen some huge wild browns and rainbows. I worked for the NH Fish & Game studying wild trout and have never seen a population in New England like the Deerfield has."

Harrison's raft is capable of accommodating 2 anglers and trips are very wallet friendly, somewhere in the vicinity of $250 and he will also provide the "bugs". Weekday trips are strongly recommended due to the river's heavy recreational use on weekends.

SWIFT GOES LOW
We are finally experiencing more normal water flows on the Swift and the fishing has cooperated nicely. Len Renauld of Sterling has been making frequents visits to the watershed and has had no trouble locating fish south of the Rt. 9 bridge. Renauld has achieved his success while dead drifting Copper John nymphs (14-16) tied in a variety of body colors (traditional copper, peacock, red and olive). Incidentally to those not familiar with this fly it has become one of Umpqua Feather Merchants largest selling patterns and it is slowly taking hold here in the northeast.

THE GREEN
No, not the river that achieves it's origins in Vermont and dumps into the Deerfield in Greenfield. I'm talking about the Green River that bisects Rt. 41 near Great Barrington. We recently recommended the watershed to a vacationing customer and he was thoughtful enough to make it a point to thank us upon his return visit to the shop. The Green's water remains cool and negotiable throughout the summer months and offers a healthy population of both brown and brook trout that have holdover potential. It would be worth the trip as we face the balance of the summer.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB