Deerfield Now?

[zepi]

Greetings. With the rising temperatures my casting hand is getting itchy. I was thinking about an early-morning trip to the Deerfield on Friday, with temperatures predicted to hit 70 mid-day. I've never fished the fly-fishing only areas, but I've heard there are substantial hold-over populations in this section of the river. (And since stocking has yet to begin in most rivers, the hold-over populations are my only hope it appears, and a better challenge anyway). So, my question(s):

-- Anyone try there hand at the Deerfield this early in the season?

-- Anyone note any early-season hatches so far?

-- Any random advice?

T'anks, and happy days ahead.....

zepi

[Labrax]

Go upriver of the Mohawk Trail Campground (Rt2)- there are a number of miles of water above there that to me is better than the lower river areas.

I do not have the number for the Dam releases readily available, but doing a search for the Deerfield River Flo-Phone should get you the info. Call it to get the schedule of releases and then take what they say with a huge grain of salt. I'd recommend getting there early before any potential release, or go up to the upper area near the Fife Brook Dam after the release is over and the water levels drop.

Here is the MA Streamflow Data from the USGS: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ma/nwis/current/?type=flow - scroll down to the Deerfield River area and look at the Charlemont area info - look for some trends in the data on when they have been releasing.

I tend to use hare's ear nymphs 12 & 14 and adams in 14 and 16 for the majority of my fishing, so I can't really clue you in on specific patterns.

Just found this information on the water release phone reports:

Phone Before You Drive: 1-800-452-1737.

For Fife Brook Dam, the code is 255123.
For Monroe Bridge (aka the Dryway), the code is 255122. The power company has changed the flow phone system so that it provides real time data as well as forecasts for the next 24 hours. The information at this number is for both the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers. The call is free, sponsored by PG&E National Energy Group. The update usually happens around 5 P.M. This information is also on the web on Waterline's website:
Waterline Fife Brook Gauge and Forecast (http://www.h2oline.com/255123.asp)

Good luck,

Pete

[NatickDave]

From Zoar Outdoor...sorry that it starts a week late!!!

Zoar Gap/Fife Brook Dam
106 scheduled releases. Releases from Fife Brook Dam start between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon, with a flow of at least 700 cfs.

April 8*, 9*, 12*, 13*, 14*, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28
May 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31
June 2, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30
July 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
August 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31
September 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 30
October 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14

[zepi]

I checked the flow forecast and it was something around 900 CFS for today dropping to 150 later this evening (they haven't posted for tomorrow yet, but I'll check after 5 p.m.). I was wondering at what CFS level you would deem the waters unfishable or too dangerous to wade?

[Go Fish]

I have fished the Deerfield when the flow was over 2000 cfs. That sucks and it is essentially unwadeable! Anything under 1000 is fine and I really like to catch it around 500.

[Strat]

Ideally you want to get the deerfield under 300CFS.

[Labrax]

I think 1000cfs is too fast for me anyway. I think under 500 is ok and under 300-350 best. The places where I go it can be difficult wading on the rocks due to the size and the algae that is on them (maybe not as much of concern early in the year) - so if you have studded boots bring them, if not, then at least bring felt soles. The last time I was there the water started to come up pretty fast, started to notice some branches floating by then realized it was coming up pretty good - so be aware of your surroundings.

It was my favorite MA river to fish until the power companies that have owned it started jerking around with the release schedule and have adopted a generation on demand schedule. Now I rarely go there anymore as I do not want to drive a good distance only to be blown out by a release.

[GULFSTREAM]

Getting that itch to fish the deerfield especially the pools and runs below the railroad trestle. My stepfather caught a nice holdover rainbow a few years back that was huge, thing looked like a football. I thought he hooked bottom and was pulling my leg...Anyways we are all supposed to go to the mohawk camping grounds there in a few weeks time. I hope the fishing is good. Theres a nice spot that has held a nice pod or rainbows in the past years that I would like to hit again if they are still there. I have the best luck with a conehead bugger in black bouncing it off the bottom in the deeper pools and elk hair caddis dries. One time I had a rainbow follow the conehead bugger all the way to the rod tip before he took it in plain sight. A question...there is a large deep pool below the railroad bridge. There is a rope swing tied to a tree over it. Never made a concerted effort to fish that spot. Anyone know what spot im talking about? It looks like one of those spots that may hold something monstrous. I hope I don't get blasted for spot burning...Oh and fishing the deerfield at night is incredible...Lots of big splashes that sends shivers down my spine when the browns come out to play. I am glad spring is finally here.

[teflon_jones]

A question...there is a large deep pool below the railroad bridge. There is a rope swing tied to a tree over it. Never made a concerted effort to fish that spot. Anyone know what spot im talking about? It looks like one of those spots that may hold something monstrous. I hope I don't get blasted for spot burning...
The short stretch from where the Cold River enters down to the Route 2 bridge is all good water. I've pulled fish from the entire stretch, though as the weather warms the pool where the Cold River enters get better and better since the temp is lower.

[Jed]

The Deerfield is stocked already :) The flows were down, but with the recent rain it is back up. It is worth keeping an eye on for fishing this weekend..

jed

[Strat]

I caught it at low water last weekend but the water is still very cold. It was supposedly stocked already but the Upper C&R area was dead. I ran into a number of anglers and they all had the same poor luck...

Perhaps they only stocked the pulloffs downstream of Mohawk campground.