BRONZEBACKS ON THE DEERFIELD

June 12, 2010 - It’s not that coldwater fly-fishing is wrapping up by any means; it’s just that fly anglers will often seek a bit of multiplicity as we proceed deeper into the season. Just ask all season angler, Jack Varley who has been laboring on the lower Deerfield River under the tutelage of master guide, Dan Harrison (www.harrisonanglers.com). His most recent few sessions focused on the lower Deerfield River in the town of Deerfield, just west of its confluence with the mighty Connecticut River. This is freshwater smallmouth bass “sight fishing” in the truest sense of the word. The water has been both shallow and clear offering the angler maximum visibility. Once the target it located both sport and guide perform like a well-oiled team contriving the perfect strategy to intercept their quarry. As you can see by the graphic the results have been nothing short of spectacular as JV files this report… 

“Another trip with The Harrison Boys on the Deerfield, below "DA." Tons of fish - huge river smallmouths on the "sparkle fly." Dan Harrison & I are the only two-smallmouth guys that want to do this stuff. Saw 2 bald eagles, a bunch of 30-40lb carp, an 8-10lb walleye, tons of carp, and a zillion shad. 1st fish is 3lb or so, second is 5+. Yow! 2nd one was goin' nuts, I said "how do you like the drag on this Bauer reel?" Danny wet himself. Fly popped out as soon as we netted her…  He said, "that's the fattest fish I've seen. My arms are 16" and she's a lot fatter." We saw another that had to be 7-8 lbs, Scary!”

HATCHES
We are in the infant stages of the one of the most prolific and widespread hatches of the entire season, the sulphur. Here in central Mass it can be mimicked by a traditionally tied pattern, comparadun version (a shop favorite) or parachute in sizes #16 and #18. Round out your box with a BWO #18-#20, summer caddis #18 and black ant #18. Look for Hexagenia Limbata (#6-#8) to make its initial appearance sometime during the end of next week. This remains one of the most prolific and distinguishable hatches of the entire Ware River watershed. It usually makes its initial appearance just after dark and I have witnessed hatches lasting an hour or so.

TU BBQ
Our local Trout Unlimited Chapter will by holding their 2^nd Annual CMTU BBQ on Sunday, June 13^th from noon to 4:00pm. The venue for this year’s event will be Trout Brook Pond in Holden. There will be fly tying, fly casting and entomology programs along with a raffle to include; fly rods, fly reels, vests, fly tying materials, gift certificates and other equipment. Please visit their site at www.centralmasstu.org for more information.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB