THE EAST BRANCH ROCKS April 17, 2009 - With the promise of a relatively consistent weather pattern water levels continue to drop and area watersheds are rounding into form. The Swift River in Belchertown remains the only exception, and at last check the 600 cfs being deposited into the river yield it virtually unfishable. Lots of stellar reports emanating from the East Branch of the Swift along Nichewaug Road, from Rt. 122 to Rt. 32A. Fly anglers are locating pockets of fish (both browns and rainbows) clustered near obvious stocking points. A smattering of early black stones and smaller caddis are drawing most of the surface attention while rubber-legged bead head nymphs and earth toned wooly buggers will capture interest subsurface. This is an aesthetically pleasing fishery steeped with integrity and often goes unattended after the early spring onslaught. Conner Pond, and impoundment situated within the system, remains very productive as fly anglers continue to take both brown and rainbow trout from both shore and watercraft (it is best accessed by canoe, float tube or kayak). You will be required to be hatch specific once the water warms and we enter our traditional hatch sequence, but for now it's wooly buggers, leech patterns and zonkers towed by 10 foot sink-tips and smaller caddis patterns and midge emergers and adults during hatch periods. THE WILLIE THE HARRISONS Good fishing and safe
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