HIGH GAS=LARGE BASS

July 17, 2008 - It's a fact these days, soaring oil prices are limiting the amount of traveling fly anglers are willing to do. These past few weeks go a long way to illustrate this point. In the 20-year history of the shop, we have never encountered the number of anglers that are beginning to focus on warm water species, particularly largemouth bass.

With the numerous and very productive lakes and ponds we have available to us here in central New England it makes perfect sense. Virtually every fly fisherman resides within a few miles of a warm water impoundment so the commitment from a travel point of view is inconsequential. The equipment necessary to engage these species is even less technical. One needs only a 7-9wt.-9 foot rod, equipped with an aggressive tapered floating line with comparable disc drag reel and you're in business. Leaders can constructed of nothing more than 5 or 6 feet of level monofilament, or a more sophisticated bass tapered, extruded leader can be employed. Inventory a diverse selection of surface (Deer Hair Popper, Deer Hair Mouse, Dahlberg Diver, Sneaky Pete and Hard Body Slider) flies, along with a few sub-surface offerings (Zonker, Muddler, Crayfish, Sculpin and Sili Bunny) and you should be equipped to entertain any warm water situation.
Scot Wiinikka of Rutland is a perfect case in point. While Scot's major focus of concentration is harassing striped bass along the Massachusetts north shore, recently he has been directing his effort toward the warm water species that reside within Demond Pond in his hometown. While primarily noted as a 2-stage pond (it is stocked in the spring) with a maximum depth of about 30-feet, the pond has been offering some outstanding fishing for warm water species as the enclosed photo will testify. Scot's recent comments…

"The Rabbit Zonkers did the trick... I wish I had gotten a picture of the 20" Pickerel that hit the fly like a Polaris missile... gotta make some fine wire leaders for them since the "Picks" took a couple... this one was a lot of fun too."

Incidentally there is an outstanding publication available if you entitled "Freshwater Guides of New England." It retails for $21.95 and includes fishing access, topographic maps, directions and articles, stocking information, boat ramps and hydrographic maps in full color. You will need the Massachusetts Series, Central Region.

STRANGE GOINGS ON
Anglers that labored on the Swift River in Belchertown last week found water levels dropped to a dangerous 18 cfs on Wednesday through Friday. This was done to accommodate some maintenance issues on Windsor Dam. As of mid-week additional water is now being discharged into the system and the cfs is now a very manageable 117.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB