A DOUSE OF THE HOUSE

May 27, 2008 - Schoolhouse Pond in Chatham that is! If your not finding fish these days you're just not looking hard enough. Just ask Dave Armstrong, Dave Pearson, Lenny Renauld and Bob Thunberg. The central Mass anglers have been routinely launching float tubes and kayaks into Schoolhouse Pond in Chatham with stellar results. Double digit catches of rainbow trout with an occasional tiger trout have been the norm. Toss in the occasional smallmouth bass, that are currently occupying redds in shallow areas of the pond, and you have the makings of an epic outing.

When there is no evidence of surface feeding, aggressive sink-tip or all sinking lines should be utilized in cooperation with leech imitations (wooly buggers, zonkers or matukas in black or olive) and more conventional nymph and emerger patterns (14-16). Adult midge, midge pupa, midge emerger and even smaller, traditional wet fly patterns fished a tad below the surface should provide the action. Witness the accompanying photo of Armstrong supporting a rather portly smallie that was actually duped by an elk hair caddis "dry fly."

THE SWIFT
Spoke with frequent flyer, John McCarthy of Springfield concerning this watershed and he reports that the water is still breaching the dam causing higher than normal water conditions. At around 275 cfs (down from in excess of 400 cfs) the river remains negotiable but restrictive in certain areas. River regs usually prefer flows somewhere in the 100 cfs range offering complete access to all areas of the river.

THE MILLERS
Virtually every angler that has visited this watershed within the previous week is reporting sterling results. The river has been in peak form offering both subsurface (during non-hatch periods) and exceptional dry fly activity. Most productive patterns have been black buggers (8-10), black stoneflies (8-10), adult caddis patterns (14-16) and Usual's (12-14). If you are dedicated to dry fly fishing under these superior water conditions, darker adult caddis imitations (14-16) will generally provide enough action during daylight hours and on into nightfall when you will be required to be more hatch specific. The most productive area has been Orcutt Brook west to Erving Paper. Also worth mentioning has been the lack of significant pressure probably due to soaring gas prices.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB