THE ONE AND ONLY July 31, 2008 - With last week's water levels approaching flood stage in many of the state's major watersheds, options have been very limiting for trout zealots. Here in central New England it's no secret that the torrid summer months offer only marginal fishing at best, but a week of constant rain episodes upset what little we had. So we got the bad news out of the way. The good news comes from the banks of the Swift River tailwater in Belchertown. If you're willing to contend with a rather liberal contingent of fellow longrodders (usually occurring on weekends), you're in for some stellar, and rather challenging, technical fishing. With constant water flows somewhere in the 130 cfs area the river has been maintaining a slightly high, but entirely fishable level. Due to the fact that the Swift River is a tailwater fishery, few tribs greatly affect water levels even during runoff. While the storms of the previous week did add to the river's water volume, the entire length of the system is in great shape as we enter the month of August. Generally the river generally fishes best from mid-July through the end of October and our feeling is that this year will be no exception. Anglers are having no trouble locating fish both north and south of the Rt. 9 Bridge so pick your poison. The north sector maintains the feel of classic dry fly water with a smattering of deeper pools and runs, often made more problematical by numerous blow-downs creating some interesting challenges. The south sector is a haven for the experienced nympher, more vibrant and somewhat restricting, requiring accurate casts. The Czech Nymphing approach to subsurface fly fishing excels here, particularly during periods of higher water. As it is today, the entire length of the watershed harbors an abundant amount of portly rainbow trout, a few browns and a modest population of native brook trout that are obvious by their diminutive size and stunning coloration. As we enter late summer they should become even more evident in their attempt to reproduce in the upper reaches of the river. According to reports there is an unpretentious, yet important sulfur hatch occurring throughout the system that can be duplicated by an adult pattern, emerger or spinner all in size #18. Good fishing and safe
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