So I fished with a friend this past weekend where we floated a river "out west" with the help of the Harrison Brothers. Dan and Tom are fantastic guides, they know every inch of the rivers they fish and have endless knowledge on tips, tricks, and techniques that can not only help you catch some fish, but become a better fisherman. Sometimes I feel like they can put you on a fish of your choosing! After a slow start, the rain held off and we were able to net double digit fish by mid day, yet still looking for the big one. I ended up getting the big one on a double streamer rig (he followed the white attractor and nailed the trailing bugger), a beautiful 20" wild brown. Thanks to the Harrisons for a great day!
The Present
With yesterday and today's rain, the Quinnie is making its way back up to 100 CFS (perfection) after a steady decline over the past week. Should make for good fishing this this afternoon and this weekend. The only negative I've noticed this year about the Q has been the lack of 14"+ fish in "my spot." Last year there were more than plenty but all but 1 or 2 made it through July with the heat, lack of rain, and low flows. This year, its exactly the opposite, yet where are the fish?! Since I have not hit the Millers yet this year, I have to make it there this weekend. Hopefully the rain will hold off enough to keep flows where they are now (700 CFS in Erving and 400 CFS in South Royalston).
The Future
If your looking to fish the Q in the late months of summer, you won't be productive at any of the easy access spots. The combination of heat, low flow, lack of feeder streams, and # of fisherman will make these spots worthless. If you want to catch fish on this river into July and August, follow these guidelines:
- Fish Early and Late - you will not catch many fish at noon. Get out at sunrise and fish until mid morning, or head there around 4 and fish until and even after dark. The evening hatches on this river are quite the Blitz. Hoppers and Chernobyl ants will take fish in mid morning and maybe early afternoon. Sulphurs, light cahills, and summer caddis will take fish at night.
- Fish Stealthy - the low flows and high water temperature will cause fish to move, so don't assume that where you stood and where you were catching fish in May will be the same in July. Don't be so quick to jump in the water, fish from the banks until you are positive there are no fish in close and out of the sunlight.
- Fish where other people don't - Easy access is great when the fish are plenty and the flows are full. This time of year you have to work for your catch, and that may mean spending time walking when you'd like to be fishing. Some good areas where cover, and cold feeder streams make for good fishing include:
- Upstream from the 190 bridge. You can park on the North side of the closed River rd and walk down the hill to the trail head on the left.
- Upstream from the Mill st bridge. Its a bit of a walk, but 12" brookies (some wild) await your hare's ears and caddis dries.
- Confluence of the Asnebumskit and Quinnie. Park at the bridge of the Asnebumskit on Mill St and walk downstream to the Q. Fish the 100 yards below the fork.
-NC
