WE ARE THERE!

May 6, 2009 - I usually try to take an objective slant when reporting on fly-fishing conditions however most anglers are experiencing their best early season success in recent memory. With water conditions settling in nicely even our more ample watersheds remain at near perfect flows (again, with the exception of the Swift River in Belchertown that was at 300 cfs at last check).

Rivers receiving the most attention have been the East Branch of the Swift in Petersham, the Quinnie in Holden, the Ware River in Hardwick and the West River in Upton. The real jewel has been the East Branch of the Ware River in Rutland State Park. This is a remote and esthetically pleasing piece of water that generally receives little attention, especially after the initial onslaught subsides. Fly anglers are locating plenty of willing adversaries adjacent to the bridge that spans the river in Rutland State Park. Here you are free to roam either up or down stream often locating real estate that sees very little pressure throughout the season.

We have also interviewed a number of customers that are making weekly pilgrimages to the Farmington River in Connecticut and witnessing epic hatches of Hendricksons (14) and Red Quills (14) from the church pool south. Utilizing low profile imitations like compara-duns, emergers and no-hackles best mimics these insects rather than more traditional Catskill ties.

Local anglers are also reporting a distinct lack of pressure as bait and lure fishermen dwindle in numbers as we progress through our sequence of local hatches.

THE HATCHES
The long awaited Hendrickson/ Red Quill hatch is now in full swing. Look for adults to emerge during early to mid afternoon periods with concurrent spinner falls during the evening. This is one of our most prolific and revered insect hatches of the entire season.

Due to their abundance and availability as trout fodder I would not venture about without a reasonable inventory of caddis imitations as well. Henryville Caddis (16), Stillwater Caddis (16), Hemingway Caddis (16) and Partridge Caddis (16) in adult stages should be considered staples in every fly box. Round out your inventory with Rob's Caddis Pupa, Glass Head Caddis and Mr. Peacock bead head and consider yourself dangerous.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB