10. Since so many are so small and secluded, many times you can even have the pond to yourself for the whole day. I prefer the bead, which helps it penetrate the water column quickly and allows the use of a tight line or contact-nymphing set up.”, 8. This article first appeared as a guest post on the Massachusetts Tourism blog, massvacation.com. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Swift River in Massachusetts! Still, knowing that there can be some good fishing nearby and actually deciding where you can catch your favorite species are two very different things. Whether you’re planning on fishing the Swift River or the Deerfield River, be sure to look up the local flow charts to make sure you won’t get caught in the current at a high water period. Swift regular Gary Metras has a presentation on winter fly fishing… Aside from the typical cold and wet weather, fish tend to decrease their activity during these cold winter … In the spring, striped bass will often swim up into the estuaries and marshes nearby, chasing bait into the skinny water. Required fields are marked *. The Commonwealth makes sure that residents and visitors alike have an abundance of angling options throughout the year. Western Massachusetts offers excellent fly-fishing 12 months a year, notably in the Pioneer Valley and Berkshire Mountains. 6. I always spin orange deer ahead of my first spin of hair, like an orange hot spot. Since most of the fisheries are tailwaters, that is, located beneath a working dam, the water temperatures remain constant all year long, so fly anglers are angle to fish for trout any time they like, depending on the water flows. With that in mind, I like to break it down to early, mid, and late winter. 1 of 3 Go to page. There’s a good chance that wherever you are in the country, you’re sure to find a good carp fishery that would be willing to eat a fly and make you a believer. Desmond likes to find areas of the river where the water is slower than the main current, often a submerged log or hole, where pike can stack up and hunt for food. What is carp doing on this list? Go. 3. Fly Fishing in the United States. Where you can legally fish is also a consideration, with many waters closed to fishing to protect spawning trout, so always be certain to check the regulations. Back in the remaining years of the Ice Age, the glaciers retreated, scouring the land beneath and gifting the anglers of the world with glacial kettle ponds all over the state. Fly Fishing The Deerfield River Massachusetts This river is a tailwater for certain. Favorite colors are black and olive. One of the limitations of New Hampshire is the scarcity of waters that are open to fishing and/or hold fish year round. As we have discussed earlier if you find deep, slower pools you have already found trout. Use a topwater popper along any side channel and wait for a blowup. 3 South of Boston Beaches to Visit This Summer. I like this pattern because it simply works, and the fish love it even more.”, 7.Beadhead Egg (size 10)This is one of guide Anita Coulton’s winter go to flies. Notes: Dub a sparse body. Open daily for on-line sales. As long as it’s black or brown and has rubber legs, I’m good with it. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife stocks the state’s rivers, lakes, and streams with roughly half a million trout annually, with one deposit in spring and one in the fall. It’s not just the nostalgia of fishing a fly developed by George Griffith, one of the founders of Trout Unlimited, it also has a lot to do with the fact that it works so well. The river actually starts at Haramon Reservoir in Vermont, flows through a section of Massachusetts … Woolly Bugger (size 10) In black or olive, I can fish this fly to mimic many critters … Stephanie Winter is a fly fishing guide at Big Hole Lodge in Wise River, MT. Try to resort to lighter tippet in the winter … Thread: Black, 8/0. Fly fishing in Winter provides some unique issues that anglers face and some Winter fly fishing tips are always good to have. Cross Current Guide Service and Outfitters, Top 10 Flies for Winter in the Northeast | Online Fishing Expert, Top 10 Flies for Winter in the Northeast | FishingsBest, Tippets: School of Trout 2019, Winter Flies for the Northeast – LB Hunting, Tippets: School of Trout 2019, Winter Flies for the Northeast – Fishers College, Tippets: School of Trout 2019, Winter Flies for the Northeast – Fishers School. Because of the severity of our winters, our … Oh, and watch your fingers. The Deerfield, Millers, and Swift rivers abound with wild and … Hackle: Black. Striped Bass. When it comes to finding fish, look for pinch points that will funnel bait into the mouths of waiting striped bass. Its coloration is a perfect imitation of the sculpin, a small baitfish … Mini Sex Dungeon (size 6)This is the fly Mike Bannon ties on in the winter. Amidst the factories and urban landscape of Lowell, MA, the Merrimack River is home to giant carp swimming just a few feet from the main drag of town. Carp will stack up in these stretches and a well-presented fly, either a buggy nymph pattern or a dry fly, will get you hooked up with a giant. “Midges are one of the primary food sources for trout during the cold months. ), 9. If you do hook up to one of these giant fish, just remember to hang on tight. Whether you’re chasing fish in skinny water or searching for more of an adrenaline rush and chasing busting schools of bait, Massachusetts’s striped bass fishery is the best in the world. Zebra Midge (sizes 18-22)Because midges never seem to go away. start creating your own sharable itineraries. Therefore, resort to nymphing and streamer fishing during the winter months. Down in the southwest corner of the state, the Housatonic River is home to some real life river monsters. ** Find the full Fly Fishing in the Winter series HERE. “I like that I can rip it, swing it, or jig it. . 2. Generally speaking, trout are a smidge … , Your email address will not be published. Great tips Joe period I’ll be trying and trying some of those as soon as I get done fishing the Rockies this winter! Massachusetts has fly fishing reports and conditions for the following fisheries: Guide Justin Lyle’s winter favorite is a white Beadhead Woolly Bugger. Still, knowing that there can be some good fishing … Sometimes you’ll find there are only small fish in a certain pond, but other times you’ll be truly surprised and find a monster of a fish. Find the lodge at flyfishinglodge.com and more fish … Stonefly Nymph (sizes 8-10)I’m not as selective as a trout. Snowshoeing at The Blue Hills Reservation! How To Contact Swift River Fly Fishing: swiftriverflyfishing@earthlink.net. Joe Demalderis operates Cross Current Guide Service and Outfitters, guiding for trout and smallmouths on New York’s Upper Delaware system and for striped bass and bluefish off Northern New Jersey. Add a flashback and have a party. Instead of making you burn up your free time looking for a spot, start at the locations below and you’re on the fast track to landing a trophy on the fly. Check out Postfly to save even more time by getting flies and gear sent to your doorstep every month. Griffith’s Gnat (sizes 18-22)On those warm winter days that we all long for, where the wind is still and the trout sip midges, guide Tim Oliphant will tie on a Griffiths Gnat is size 18 to 22. These small, fertile bodies of water house multiple species of bass and bream, giving the fly angler a multitude of choices on where to fish on any given day. Don’t be afraid to skate it on windy days!” (See the recipe below. Looking for clothing, home decor, or fly fishing gear in Massachusetts? Since these fish are predators in the truest sense, big, flashy fly patterns, the more movement the better, work best. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/best-bets-for-trophy-trout Thread starter teamtrout; Start date Oct 19, 2014; 1; 2; 3; Next. Most people do not venture outside their homes so winter fly fishing keeps the crowds away, and often times you’ll have the water all to yourself. Our guides at Cross Current Guide Service and Outfitters are serious trout bums, so I asked them to give up some of their favorites. Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, Create a VisitWidget account and Swift River Fly Fishing, New Salem, MA. . From mid-November until mid- March, fly fishing in the Vail area is fairly straight forward. Woolly Bugger (size 10)In  black or olive, I can fish this fly to mimic many critters trout feed on. Many great trout rivers across the country are in prime shape during the winter … Guides like Harry Desmond of Berkshire Rivers Fly Fishing, take clients downriver in a row boat, pointing out the best spots to lay down a cast and helping to land these toothy giants. “This pattern is super simple and versatile: it can be bounced along the bottom of deep holes or elicit takes in fast riffles. Show room sales Friday to Sunday (9-3)and by arrangement. ** NOTE: This is Part Seven of a Troutbitten series on fly fishing for trout through the winter months. There are very few hatches in the winter time but if there are, it is usually the midge hatch. Winter Fly Fishing MA. If you are new to fly fishing, go to the Hatchery Pipe (overview here), which fishes well from July 1 to Dec. 31. "Off-season" fly fishing in Massachusetts. He’s also a former Trout Bum of the Week. Use Google Maps to find and explore your local area. This will all read a little better if you back up and find Parts One, Two, Three, Four and Five and Six.. Smith and I found ourselves on another late December, post-Christmas fishing trip with light snow and good winter fishing. As an avid winter angler, I encourage you to give this a read, and think about hitting the water while it’s bitingly cold out. There are many things the state of Massachusetts is known for and good fishing is one of them. Chances are, tailwaters won’t be the place you find the lonely fly fishing experience many anglers crave during winter, especially as you get closer to a dam. “I use it as a dry when the opportunity arises. It's a series of five dams in located in the state of Massachusetts that control the flow of water. Downsize your tippet. Slow moving fish and limited food sources make winter fishing a great option for anyone willing to embrace the chill. Hook: Standard dry-fly hook, sizes 14-18. I tie a heavier version with large dumbbell eyes for winter and keep the body very sparse. Pheasant Tail Nymph (sizes 16-20)Another standard, this fly can often save the day. All photos courtesy of Postfly, TOPICS: Fishing, North of Boston, Outdoors, Western MA, Add your business, event, or deal to visitma.com, © 2021 Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, Get monthly emails on events, deals, and getaway packages to MA. This is the perfect time to brush up on your freshwater trout fishing in one of the many available rivers in the central and western parts of Massachusetts, or go up north and there are … I typically fish this fly in tandem with a larger fly, such as Pheasant Tail, Stonefly, or Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear Nymph, which brings me to . Fly Fishing The Swift River Massachusetts The Swift River in Massachusetts is one of the only true tailwaters in the state in the sense that the water comes from the cold deep, depths of a lake or … Look for a spot in the river where the current has backed up into slack water, behind obstructions or small side channels off the main current. The flats, bays and inlets surrounding Newburyport’s Plum Island are a treasure trove … ** When the water emerges from the ground at forty-five degrees, it takes a while to equalize with the surrounding air and surface … Massachusetts Fishing Report – January 7, 2021 Safe ice is taking hold from the Connecticut Valley Region to the westernmost part of the state where anglers have been icing good numbers of crappie, trout … A Simple Formula for Winter Fly Fishing Success. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for Trout fishing in Swift River with the top producing flies and … Join Postfly! It’s also a great indicator dry in a shallow water dry /drop rig. Early winter can be fall-like at times with mid-winter having the potential to be downright brutal. Sign up to receive updates about outdoor activities. Tie the wing full and twice the length of the body. This small dark fly wiggles in even the slightest breath of current, important when you are fishing nearly dead-drift in winter. The area below Bondsville is productive and faces much less pressure. Winter can be fierce, or it can be mellow, with each year showing some variance. Ben Kryzinski put together a good piece for Hatch Magazine on the basics of winter fly fishing. More Fishing… Learn more. What is considered a trash fish by most of the US, our fishing cousins over in Europe consider carp a game fish, because of their giant size, fighting strength, and widespread availability. Western Massachusetts in known for having some of the best trout water in New England. Bon appetit, Mr. Trout! Since 1856. These winter … Body: Dark brown or dark gray beaver dubbing. But it’s not all about tailwaters. There’s something fun about winter fishing … 4. Rick Taupier 25 North Main Street New Salem, MA … These small ponds often don’t receive a lot of pressure, so fly choice can be nearly anything you feel like tying on. I think you’ll find many trout feel the same way. There are many things the state of Massachusetts is known for and good fishing is one of them. As far as retrieve, I’ll start fast, switch to a vertical jig, and then, if it’s not getting any love, I’ll swing it slowly through the runs.”. Written by: Joe Demalderis, Cross Current Guide Service and Outfitters. Want to get a hand-selected collection of flies, fly fishing gear and cool swag sent to your door every month? Late winter can be anything from spring-like to that sick feeling that spring is never going to arrive. Clip the hackle flush with the bottom of the fly. Winter in the northeast and on the waters I call home, the Upper Delaware System, can vary greatly in conditions. Northeast. Gold-Ribbed Hare’s Ear Nymph (sizes 20-24)It’s buggy, and oh, that gold bling. You’re sure to find a small body of water just beyond the clutch of town, where you’ll find largemouth and/or smallmouth bass, in abundance. The striper fishery is so popular in New England that it’s easy to find out the current presentation that works best by going into your local fly shop. 1. Winter Fly Fishing: How to Catch Trout on Streamers this Holiday Season. 413-230-1262. The holidays are a blessed time of year—especially if you like to throw streamers at brown trout. 5. Also, there are many local fly shops that will help you nail down the fly that is going to be the most productive at any given time of year. He likes to strip it painfully slowly or swing it on a sink tip. Your email address will not be published. The flats, bays and inlets surrounding Newburyport’s Plum Island are a treasure trove for the striped bass angler. Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. Ice Cream Cone Midge (size 16)Although it sounds like a summer treat, this is one of guide Ryan Furtak’s winter favorites. Dry fly activity is slim to none unlike the warm summer months. MT’s CDC Winter Stonefly (sizes 14-18)Always looking for the dry-fly opp, John Miller wouldn’t be caught on the water without his favorite late-winter dry. January 1, 2021. Tight lines and see you on the water! By Dave Karczynski. —- Wing:  Dun CDC. How to Contact Swift River fly fishing guide at Big Hole Lodge in Wise River MT... Google Maps to find and explore your local area black or olive, I can rip it, swing,! Sink tip limitations of New Hampshire is the scarcity of waters that are open to fishing hold... Break it down to early, mid, and late winter many times you can even have pond. Also a former trout Bum of the limitations of New Hampshire is the fly think ’! Windy days! ” ( See the recipe below fly Mike Bannon on. 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