Western Mass Trout Fishing?

[swimfly]

With this warm weather (though it is colder today), I am getting the itch to do some fishing. Is it worth a drive from Eastern Mass to the Westfield or Deerfield this time of year for a shot at a few more trout in 2006? Any thoughts would be appreciated, and may conserve a few gallons of gas.

[teflon_jones]

Trout are catchable year-round and the warm fall weather has been sure to make them more active than normal.

[Go Fish]

I have caught fish on the Swift and Deerfield in between breaking ice out of the rod guides. The fish need to eat.

Cold is a state of mind....GO FISHING!!!!

[Trout77]

I too get that itch alot these days... maybe something to do with me not seeing the sun from Oct - Jan due to our latitude!! --124-3
In my case, all of the feathers, fur, and thread all over the appartment is driving the wife nuts too!

Anyway, trout can be caught year-round. Granted they wil slow down and temp affect their metabolism as they are cold-blooded.. (I personally eat more this time of year :-% ) Looking on the mass DFW web site to look for fall stocked waters is a good start. (In your case, both of these rivers, hold trout over nicely also) Its been a moderate fall, and C&R is getting more popular so it is possible! Get away from the bridges and focus on the pools and bends (hint---Carbis Bend..bead heads ;) )as the trout will likely be hugging the bottom. Bug life in the water is not only temp controled, but also light controled, like the rest in nature, so go on the sunniest days, mid-afternoon (still watch those shadows though!) Before I got socked in at work this year, I used to shoot up to the Mousam River in Maine on lowtide when I could (outgoing, last two hours)... it is managed as a year-round (sea-run brown??...not sure how this is going though?) fishery... Fish 100 yards downstream from the bridge in Kennebunk if you dont have a Maine liscence to fish. I have cleaned up there and chaced off the cabin fever a bit. (People will of course look as you as crazy!)... well, I guess thats what we are!
Also, check out some of the tribs with good groundwater influence. These areas will be slightly warmer....just bring your stream thermometer, scout around, have fun and get out of the house...
Or of couse try the Swift River, close to the outflow... I have fished it in a blizzard and caught trout! Good luck keeping the ice off the guides, but you wont be alone ... (maybe good in the winter?) and keep those fingers warm, and for Gods sake, watch those Deerfield water releases!)!

[Jed]

In winter I like the Swift because its a tail water fed from the bottom of the quabbin and therefore a little warmer and its slow and relatively shallow so its therefore safer.

The Deerfield also works well because it too is a bottom fed tailwater but there are the flows and a more varied terrain that one needs to be aware of.

Both have fish that can be caught this time of year.

jed

[swimfly]

I will post my results if we go. I have been in touch with a guide that I have fished with before to help my chances.

[Trout77]

Took a "mental health" day yesterday (Tuesday) from work. Shucks, I accidentally fell in my waders and must have "slept-driven" to the Bearsden again. The air temp was hovering around 50, with mist and a cold breeze-----really snotty. Gave the riffle section downstream from the railroad bridge a try for about an hour or two with some wet fly / soft hackle flies that I am experimenting with. Size 12 scud hook.... I thought I would tie something funny to show my wife for Christmas, so I alternated red floss and green floss and a little spin of peacock herl at the head, with a twist of partridge. I tied about five of them, and they look like nothing "natural"...
Anyway, down and across fishing in the riffle landed 2 FAT browns and my second tiger trout ever! What a wierd looking fish!!
Anyway, great day, and not a soul on the water!!