WEST TO THE WESTFIELD 

June 8, 2008 - I often wonder why we don’t field many reports concerning a watershed some years. Until lately this is certainly been the case with the beautiful Westfield River. On one recent mid-week morning, Worcester T&G scribe Mary Ann Magiera sauntered into the shop beaming as if she just hit a fall away to win one at the buzzer.

She had just returned from a busman’s holiday of sorts, treated to a day on the watershed by western Mass flyfishing guide, Marla Blair. The anglers made Chesterfield Gorge the focus of their outing. Those not familiar with the area will find that it is quite remote by central Massachusetts’ standards. Heavily wooded, unspoiled and preserves a mental image of what trout fishing is all about. Actually located in the hamlet of West Chesterfield, the Westfield flows north to south and maintains a classic riffle-pool-riffle terrain. When entering the gorge area you will observe an unimproved gravel road that parallels the river allowing ready access too much of the water south of the gorge. If you cautiously negotiate this road you will arrive at a gate that will be the conclusion of your brief journey. Those that wish can continue the expedition on foot; giving you access to water that witnesses few anglers throughout the season.

This is classic stonefly water consisting of large boulders, gravel, deep pools and glides. The water clarity rivals anything you will encounter in New England.

It really doesn’t surprise me that the anglers found success with a myriad of Chernobyl Ant patterns, with yellow being the desired color. We have been advocating the use of these funky looking floaters for some time, particularly when prospecting larger watersheds. Other patterns to consider are black and brown stonefly nymphs (8-10) for subsurface applications, B1 Bombers (6-8), Tarantulas (10), Stalcup’s Crickets (10-12), Stimulators (8-10) and Parachute X Caddis (10-12). The ongoing theme with all the above mimics is high floating, large and suggestive.

Cahills and March Browns
These unmistakable and handsome insects are dominating the hatch scene here in central Mass. I witnessed a multitude of both species on the bed of my Toyota on one rainy morning during the week providing more evidence of their abundance. Both species commonly emerge during late afternoon and on into early evening and beyond. Due to their profusion, trout will often neglect feeding during daylight hours and simply wait for the smorgasbord that is destined to occur at nightfall.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB