THE EAST BRANCH

May 17, 2007 - A few days ago a rather animated Bob Cikota visited the shop with some interesting news concerning his latest fishing venture. Bob is no stranger to the Swift River particularly the river's east branch as it meanders through the hamlets of Petersham and Barre through some rather secluded real estate. Not considered one of the state's predominate watersheds, the river falls more in the category of classic New England trout stream. Never more than a roll cast in width the river's foremost characteristic is it's riffle-pool-riffle topography offering ideal wading opportunities even during higher water conditions. With the inconsistent water levels we seem to experience every spring, the East Branch should be considered an invaluable fly-fishing resource under a variety of water conditions.

This was Cikota's second visit to the watershed in the previous few weeks, both of which yielded similar success. Bob's initial session yield a steady diet of brown trout (10-12") that fell prey to a cadre of Copper John Nymphs, with chartreuse and red the principal performers. He revisited the river only to find a immeasurable amount of freshly planted rainbow trout (12-14") that were duped by CJN's of similar proportion and color. The interesting factoid was the lack of competitive anglers during each visit as Cikota was virtually alone while angling.

GETTING THERE
Drive time is approximately 40-45 minutes from downtown Worcester. Simply take Rt. 122 west through Barre Center and continue to Glen Valley Road (adjacent to the old Glen Valley Country Store). Take a left onto Glen Valley Road (this is almost at the Barre/Petersham town line) and continue to a bridge that spans the river. This will give you access to the watershed either up or down stream. Continue driving south on Glen valley road and you will encounter electrical power lines that will also give you additional access to the river. Driving even further south you will gain the intersection of Rt. 32A that will give you access to the river on it's journey to the inlet at Pottapaug Pond (considered Quabbin Reservoir proper). This is some pretty remote and beautiful New England landscape that I have taken advantage of throughout my career as a fly-fisherman.

YOUR AMMO
Bead head Copper John Nymphs (12-14) is peacock, copper, red, olive and blue if sentenced to subsurface fishing. An Elk Hair Caddis (14-16), Slick Water Caddis (14-16), Hemingway Caddis (14-16) and Parachute Adams (12-14) should serve you well when prospecting top water.

RECENT STOCKING
Below is a list of the most recent Central District trout stockings: Tully River, Millers River-Athol, Prince River-Barre, Quinapoxet River-Holden, Comet Pond-Hubbardston, Assabet River-Northboro, E. Branch Swift, Conners Pond-Petersham, Stillwater River-Princeton and Sterling, Millers River, Lawrence Brook-Royalston, Seven Mile River-Spencer, Otter river-Templeton, Priest Brook, and the Millers River-Wichendon.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB