A GIFT FOR THE SWIFT

April 3, 2008 - According to numerous reports from river regs, the main branch of the Swift River below Windsor Dam probably enjoyed it’s finest winter season in many years. Unlike previous years, the watershed held fish both north and south of the Rt. 9 bridge throughout the entire winter and were always accessible to the probing angler. Water levels remained generally in the 100 cfs range making for some very comfortable wading conditions.

On Thursday, March 27^th state Fish and Wildlife trucks supplemented these residents with a healthy litter of hatchery fish as was witnesses by a few Swift river zealots. While special FFO regulations do not take effect until July 1^st, angling remains stellar from the Y Pool to Cady Lane. Water flows remain a bit high @ 170 cfs due to recent rain events so wading may be a bit testy. Also noteworthy is the fact that water is breaching Windsor Dam for the first time in many, many months compromising the flow a bit. Ideal fishing conditions for this watershed would be somewhere in the 90-110 cfs area. This would allow for easy access to deeper pools and runs often holding larger specimens. You can obtain up to the minute water flows on all of the state’s watersheds by visiting http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ma/nwis/rt and simply clicking on the river of interest. This is an invaluable tool for the fly fisherman, particularly when planning a trip requiring an investment in time.

THE RIGS
While conventional fly-fishing methods can be effective on occasion, you may want to consider alternatives. One Swift River rig that has gained popularity is a strike indicator positioned on the leader (approximately twice the depth of the water, depending on current). A dredging fly (Copper John #14 - #16 or similar barbed, weighted nymph) is then secured to the tippet in a traditional fashion. Another section of tippet, generally 1/1/2 to 2 feet in length, is then attached to the bend of the hook of the first fly. Tippet size (6X-7X) is critical here since the point fly will be the focus of your attention usually accounting for 90-95 per cent of the takes. Fasten either an emerger or pupa (#20-#28) to this final section of tippet and the Swift River rig is complete.

Some of the better “point fly” patterns include: Brassies, RS2, Disco Midge, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Chironomid Pupa, Serendipity or even a smaller Copper John.  

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB