Tailwaters until September

Over the past month or so, I've fished about as often as I've updated this blog - which you can tell is not that often. I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. We were complaining about high flows early in the season, and now look at us - eating crow and not catching now fish - unless you're hitting a tailwater. If it wasn't for today's massive rainfall, we were heading for single digit CFS water flow on the Q. Its currently up to 50 CFS but will not be there for long. My guess is we'll be back to 10-20 by the weekend. I'm not sure if today's downpour will stimulate the bugs or fish at all, but its worth a try, I may be out there this evening. I'm sure you all know the past few weeks have been dreadful on the Q and other Massachusetts freestones. I did hit the Millers and Quinnie earlier this month and the best of the day were the two rainbows pictured. The hefty bow below was from the Millers and was a lot lighter in color than normal Millers River Trout. Typically, after being in that water for a month or so, the rainbows develop a blackish color, and the pink becomes more of a dark red. The browns get a bit darker as well, and the typical "butter belly" becomes more of a silver or light black/brown. So I was surprised to catch a fish that looked like it belonged in the Swift! Maybe its a sign of better water quality?! I wont hold my breath...

So, until September or so, its the tailwaters to keep us busy.

The Swift: This will be the most popular. If you're OK fishing within 10 yards of someone, then you'll do fine and catch fish. If you're not so fond of that, and happen to have a canoe or kayak or float, head downstream to the second bridge (Cold Spring Rd), put in below the bridge and fish DOWNSTREAM. Everyone likes to head upstream, but there are terrific stretches down past the houses and above the dam. You will catch fish on small (sz 20-24) pheasant tails and scuds.

The Deerfield: If you are OK with the drive (for me it's a little under 2 hours) this river is a gem in the summer. Big fat dries and terrestrials will catch fish during low and high flows during the day. Streamers work well too. Check out the flow release schedule and plan your trip accordingly. I usually fish the stretch just below the Fife dam right up until they release the water (~9am), then head downstream to the Zoar Outdoor parking lot to fish for another hour or so of low flow. Once the water is up, you can head further downstream and pick your spot along rte 2 - streamers and buggers, or Chernobyl ants if you can reach the edges. Head back to the fife stretch for the evening rise when the water comes down.

Tight Lines,

-NC