Time to go back

[BigBoatDog]

After many years of not fishing fresh water I have decided to try some of the rivers further from Boston. I know the Swift river is supposed to be good but would like to try other spots too.
Would also like to rebuild the fresh water library for fly tying, any suggestions would be helpful. Dry fly and nymph fishing are what I used to like.
Would also like to try, dare I say it, bass fishing. Away from the mayhem.
BBD

[BobG]

That's more or less what I have planned for '09 myself.:brow Those mid summer saltwater doldrums, which seem to last for 5-6 weeks each season are just too much to take at times.
I'm in the process of tying trout flies for this spring/summer. As far as good trout water go, after the initial spring stockings are over, the Swift, Deerfield and the Westfield are pretty much all we have as far as quality summer time trouting goes.

[Slappy]

I am always amazed at how good Mass freshwater fishing is. Most spots get very little pressure and have robust populations of a variety of fish.

Just curious, why the focus on trout?--other fish will hit a fly too.

[SteepBank]

I agree...the problem is (and Im generalizing please dont sling anything at me) for quality flyfishing you generally have to go to northern NH (stocked) or to Maine ..Greenville ...baxter area ect. ..timing becomes very important so its an expense of time, money and effort which goes against you just doing it when you feel the urge.

But Im planning on doing alot more warm water excursions this year...its cheaper...you generally will chill out and will catch more fish...and the pressure is nearly non-existant on many bodies of water....you'll also find you dont fish quite as frantic as when fishing the salt or dry fly fishing for trout...just a great quality time all the way around ..with the economy the way it is its also frugal!

[Cheju]

Some of the most fun I have had flyfishing in the Northeast is by using a float tube for bass, crappies, bluegills and trout on small ponds. A 4-5wt outfit is sufficient and an assortmentof simple flys will work.

Aside from the fish you catch, there are many nature experiences as you are so quiet. It always thrills me to be checked out by a beaver swimming 15 feet away, it wondering what animal has such big webbed feet. Then a slap of its tail and away it goes.

Cheju

[BobG]

Ma actually has some outstanding largemouth bass fishing. This is especially true if you can somehow gain access to private ponds.
One of my best friends lives in central Ma, and has access to several of the bodies of water in the Worc reservoir system. I've gone with him in the past, and the bass fishing is simply insane!(#$119)

[billyo]

I don't fly fish freshwater as much as I could either but there are some great rivers in central Mass alot closer to you than the Swift (which I personally don't think is even the best trout river in Mass). Take a look at Tom Fullers book "Trout Streams of Southern New England" I primarily fish the Quinapoxet and the Stillwater but that's only because they are close to my home. The Quinapoxet is a stone bottomed river with lots of pocket water and plenty of small native brookies with the occasional big Brown and in the spring both are filled with stocked rainbows (which do attract lots of fisherman). I've been meaning to check out the Millers river but everytime I drive out that way it looks like its too dangerous to wade with huge flows (If anyone out there wants to show me the ropes on that one I'd appreciate it) There are a hundred little rivers in Mass where you could have at it. Get the book and check it out

[BobG]

I'm familiar with the book, and also most of the streams having grown up in west central Ma.
Billy, do you find the Quinny is a viable summer fishery much like the Swift in Belchertown is?

[Onshore]

Now you have me wishing I was back in Central MA, Bob. The Spring I spent out there was a real eye-opener.

Another stream you guys in northeastern MA don't want to overlook is the Merrmack and it's main tributary, the Pemigewasset. The rivers North of Concord hold plenty of both stocked and carryover Rainbows, Brookies and Browns. Brookies and browns also spawn below some of the high dams on both rivers and Landlocked salmon often find their way downstream during Spring runoff and heavy rains. Also, in times of heavy rain or runoff just about every stream feeding into them restocks it with the same fish.

A big bonus, as long as they continue the program, is the Broodstock Atlantic Salmon fishing in both Spring and Fall.

[billyo]

I'm no fly fishing expert but I have fished the Quinnie spring, summer and fall with good results. It's not a tailwater like I believe the Swift is (The Swift comes from the bottom of the Quabbin at the dam doesn't it?) But when I have fished in the dog days of August, there's usually enough flow and when I use a stream thermometer it's usually low 70's. What I like about the quinnie is that it's filled with boulders and I like to (try to) cast either streamers or dry flies and drift the pockets. Thereare also pretty predictable hatches in the afternoons in the heat of summer. I remember one August night a few years back when I was nibbling at the little native Brookies and some Parr Salmon (at least that's what I thought they were) when I noticed a huge number of birds start flying around. Pretty soon after that this huge hatch of these white mayflies came off over about 2 hours' The birds were waiting on them as if they knew it was going to happen and they were swooping down and plucking the flies out of the air all around me. I caught a whole bunch of Brook Trout, 2 good holdover Rainbows and a decent Brown all on dry flies before the sun went down. This was late one mid August afternoon. It was one of the hottest days that year. Of course I've been skunked there as well but I don't mind that either if I make some decent casts and don't fall in the water.

[Tie-Dye-Fly-Guy]

hey BBB: happy new year. if you want to adventure out for mass tailwater trout let me know. im busy steelheading, then spring brookies on the rapid, but i would love to adventure out with the no see ums/7x as i dont have much swift/deerfield knowledge. blind leading blind probably most fun in flyfishing. let me know when you have some time and we can make do
tw

[BigBoatDog]

Lot of good information that I will take note of in the future.
I will fish for anything with fins but trout are the quintessential flyrod target. There are salmon and steelhead but when was the last time you saw one an hours drive from Boston? I also need to start taking a friend's kids fishing this year so everything from bluegills to trout are on the target list.

TDFG,
When do you go for Steelhead? And Where do you go? I have friends who use spinning gear but I wouldd like to fly-fish for them. I would not mind hitching a ride sometime (when it's warm). Tell me you did not mean right now?
BBB