DEALING WITH SPRING May 13, 2008 - Here in the northeast we have always had to deal with fluctuating water levels throughout the duration of spring. It has always been my contention that the committed fly angler has the aptitude to overcome this adversity and find fish, no matter the conditions. To make a point, witness the latest water releases (where applicable) on our three most popular watersheds… Swift River (main branch, below Windsor Dam) – a constant 390-400 cfs. The river is still fishable but wading is very limited, if not impossible in some areas. This discharge has been constant for many weeks now and, with the promise of substantial precipitation in the near future, it is unclear when more favorable conditions will prevail. Deerfield River – within the past few days the discharge graph resembles a Roger Clemens polygraph test. Early morning hours will find the river somewhere in the vicinity of 350 cfs (very fishable), while the pre-noon release has been somewhere in the 1100-1200 cfs range (a torrent). Millers River – was rounding into shape prior to the rain episode of a few weeks ago, and has dropped to 800 cfs, considered high but fishable. This watershed had actually plummeted to a very manageable 450 cfs during late April and fishing had improved dramatically. This watershed’s flow is influenced radically by rainfall and is highly susceptible to sudden downpours or sustained rain events. So what to do? I can only report on what one, more creative angler has resorted to, to ease the pain of spring unpredictability. Worcester firefighter (lets call him, Jacoby) has directed his attention toward some of the less than trendy impoundments. One recent outing found Jocoby, afloat in his canoe, on Conner Pond in Petersham. The pond is quite literally the East Branch of the Swift River, formed by a dam located on the southeast shore and quite discernible from Rt. 122 north. Noted for harboring only a few local shore anglers, it is best deal with by watercraft (no motors), rendering sufficient access to it’s entire expanse. Connor Pond supports a rather healthy rainbow and brook trout population that is supplemented by spring stocking of both species. This
day would go well for Jacoby as nearly two-dozen rainbow trout
(11-13”) were brought to net. Despite the considerable diptera hatch
evident throughout his session, Jacoby experienced his success with
wooly buggers and muddlers in conjunction with a floating line. Good
fishing and safe wading, |
