Millers River flow???

[SamRiley]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?01164000

Only fished it once but this looks like it might be worth the drive soon. Can anyone confirm or wave me off?

Many thanks,
Sam

[Trout77]

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?01164000

Only fished it once but this looks like it might be worth the drive soon. Can anyone confirm or wave me off?

Many thanks,
Sam

The Millers is always worth the drive, and I never steer folks clear of this water. A good place to start off is the upper C&R area, also calles "The Bears Den"----- This area isnt as far a drive as the more popular areas of the river in Erving, but the drive isnt too bad. Once you round Fitchburg on Route 2, you will know you will be there soon!
The directions to the area are a little sloppy but it is totally worth it... The local TU Chapter has done allot of work on this fantastic river (not a stream by any stretch of the immagination!!) Try this web site for reference.. Check out the forum, there are allot of eager folks there to help you to know the ins and outs of the river.... http://www.millersrivertu.org/ Ive gained allot of knowledge, and even gotten some secrets ;) .lets just say I have personally seen browns in this section of the river that will pass the minnimum striper size for MA :brow

As you know, the water is permanantly tea-stained, which by no means hinders the fishing. (in fact I have NEVER gone lighter than a 5X tippet and that was once in a midge hatch in August!!!!) This time of year, just change your tactics. I dont even look at the stocking board to see if the "Millers River in Athol" was stocked, as the hold-over browns are EVERYWHERE, and they are hungry now with the the March sun coming over them.

Fish deep and slow with either muddlers, Zoo Cougars or the old standby, Mickey Finn this time of year. clamp on a split-shot or two, swing the rig across stream (I wouldnt recomend wading out this time of year unless you like swimming in 45 deg water) I may be a bit boring, doing the old roll-cast drift and strip, but hold on tight! --125-3
Or give drefging some wighted nymphs a shot...

Another good "brand named" river (maybe a bit closer) is the Nissitissit and the Squannacook. Try both, and from about now until the Hendricksons start hatching in late april you cant go wrong with a #14 - #16 dark stonefly here. Both are easier to wade also

Keep checking those wter flows, and a tip----if you dont have one, get a stream thermometer, a good topo map and make use of our nearby wild brooktrout streams! www.topozone.com click around until you can narrow it down to sort by "stream" also check out www.brookie.org and search for Massachusetts
Oh yeah, change that striper on your handle to a salmonid! :-%

Enjoy!
John

[BobG]

Really good post John!:brow After a 30 year hiatus, I've just rediscovered trouting, and the Millers is on my list for this summer. How is the fishing in July and August?I used to fish the Squannacook a lot years ago while in college, but if I remember, shore access could be an issue there. It was a very difficult river to wade.

[Eddy Merckx]

I used to fish the Squannacook a lot years ago while in college, but if I remember, shore access could be an issue there. It was a very difficult river to wade.

Access to the river through the Squannacook/Bertozzi WMA is very good, little bit of a hike from the parking area but not bad.

[bdowning]

Years ago, I used to fish the upper reaches of the Miller's in the spring. I'm talking the Winchendon to Athol stretch. I remember it being quickwater conditions (< Class 1 in whitewater canoe parlance) and pretty easy to wade up there. Never did it in the summer though.

I made the mistake of attempting to whitewater canoe the rapids above Erving one March about twenty years ago and wound up dumping. Good thing I had a wet suit on! (#$119)

-bd

Really good post John!:brow After a 30 year hiatus, I've just rediscovered trouting, and the Millers is on my list for this summer. How is the fishing in July and August?I used to fish the Squannacook a lot years ago while in college, but if I remember, shore access could be an issue there. It was a very difficult river to wade.

[SamRiley]

Thanks for the info. Looks like the water is on it's way back up so I'll look a little closer to home.