Deerfield River, MA

**Pellfly** · 04-27-2008, 12:50 PM

My Cousin and I are planning on heading out to the Deerfield the 3rd weekend in May. It's new water to us so it should be interesting. If anyone could share any info as to "can't go wrong with it" flies or other useful tips, that would be great. Thanks in advance.

**Nymphmeister** · 05-04-2008, 08:13 AM

I heard from many reliable sources that that river fishes great that time of year. They have stocked a ton of fish and there are many beautiful wild trout in there as well. I have only been there once but it was in the middle of the winter and the water was roaring. The scenery is amazing. I am sure you guys will do very well! Slondeep says not to worry about high flows in the spring as long as they are stable. This looks like it might be the case given the prolonged high water on that river. But then again I don't know how they regulate the flow. Dave, likes to fish there in low water because its literally like shooting fish in a barrel he says. So no matter the conditions you will do well. I know there are two catch and release sections separated by a kill zone and all three fish well from what I hear.

**Dave** · 05-07-2008, 06:20 PM

Torrey, you make me sound like a real degenerate! ;D

i do in fact love the low Deerfield flows. 125cfs can bring you to every single riffle in the upper 7 miles (even when the river is still wide). It is gorgeous all around. The third week of May should really be great Pellfly. My favorite days to fish the Deerfield is the first weekend of June. Flows are PERFECT, hatches are myriad, and temperature is great. I would concentrate your efforts throughout the upper fly zone. It is a very popular "dry fly" river, but when you nymph productively, you can easily have a double digit day (at least!).

The dam releases often from April 16- mid October. This means that at 9:30 am in the morning, the water will shoot up from 125 cfs to anywhere between 900-1200. Do not get stuck in the middle of the river. . .it is easy to do so when you see the low water topography, but the water is literally released in a mater of seconds and it comes in a giant stream/wave. Of course, if you are on the route 2 stretch, it takes 3 hours to get there, so you have some extra time. The flow will stop either at noon, or somedays at 3:30, which means the river needs another three hours to recede. From 6:30-9 can be the best fishing, as can 4:45am - 7:00. Those are my favorite times. In my experiences, I've had much better success catching fish when the water is receding than when it's on it's way up.

As for flies, Hare's ear is always a simple killer there. Try darker colored nymphs in the 14-18 range, RS2's. Much of my fly fishing technique and approach has changed this year, so I can't wait to go back and really do some damage. When the higher water comes, try streamers: dark leech patterns, wooly buggers, muddler minnows. I had really good luck last summer on a cream colored leech, #2.

In the upper C&R, try not to wade in too much, the fish usually hold within a few inches of the banks and seems. Looking forward to hearing how you do.