Spring Steelhead Wrap-Up & Deerfield and Westfield River Forecasts
Walt Geryk
date 05/12/08
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Possibly The Best Spring Steeheading
Fly Fishermen have ever seen!

2009 Spring should be about the same,
but with larger returning fish.

The season started off with some strange water releases on the Salmon River in Mid-April, but both Sandys were on fire at this time which allowed for outstanding fly fishing early on while the Salmon River was at a difficult and nearly un-fishable flow. For those of you who cancelled due to high water, you definitely missed out on a great opportunity to hook up and see two other beautiful rivers. Once the Big Salmon flows receded to the 3600 mark, the bite was on and it only got better as the days led into the first of May. Steelhead, in abundance, were everywhere and eagerly taking egg patterns, buggers and streamers. Now with the water levels stabilizing at 2400, the days of double digit hook ups were happening. Steelhead averaging 8 pounds were showing how feisty and aggressive they could be on the fly with the daily occasional 10 to 12 pound screamer to battle with for the first timers. This season we had only one fish weighting in between 14 and 15 pounds but knowing that some of my guests lost fish equally as large. When the flows warmed to 48-50, which seemed to happen nearly overnight, the bite was on for naturals, large stone flies, steelhead hammers and hares ears. It was interesting to watch as others struggled with the no added split shot rule in the fly zone, many just ignored the new ruling and continued to fish illegally while my guests enjoyed the the rewards of double digit hook ups with my "Vertical Tip Method" allowing to get the fly deep and my "Reach and Drop Cast" which allows the buggers, streamers and wet flies to track in a near perfect presentation as soon as it enters the water with an increased fly track of over 50% and a drift duration of 300% and more! Thank you to my NY clients for your patience while learning these valuable techniques to increase your success rate while fly fishing.

Plan now for 2009 Spring Prime Time Dates of April 21 through May 9, these days don't last long.
Good to excellent fly fishing can also precede and follow these historically great days on the Salmon River,
so don't miss out on possibly the best spring steelheading offered in the lower 48.

Massachusetts Deerfield and Westfield River

Off to a fair, slow and lethargic start here in Western Mass with plenty of fish spread throughout the Deerfield River and with water temps bouncing up and down from 44 to 48 then back down again, it makes for a lethargic bite for the most part. Obviously fishing the warmest part of the day seems to produce the best results as well as fishing a moderate flow. Drift boat float trips allow us to cover more water and get us into more hook ups, as long as the fish are biting. Right now, stone flies, half-backs and soft hackle wets are producing some nice rainbows, while properly tracked streamers are resulting in some solid pulls. It has started and will only get better in the weeks to come.
The Westfield River Chesterfield Gorge area continues to fish slow but will also change with stabilizing water temperatures. Thanks again to Mass Fish and Game for doing a superb job all year in preparing healthy large trout for the rivers here in western massachusetts.

"Now is the Time to Reserve Your Days on the Water !"

2008 New York Fall Salmon Season & 2009 Spring Steelhead Season
&
Massachusetts Deerfield River & Westfield Rivers Trout Outings

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Enjoy time in the outdoors, while learning from Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing, Guide Walt Geryk, tips on becoming a better caster, or even just learn how to cast a fly rod, how to read water for safety and fly fishing, present a fly, experience the fight of a fresh water trophy and much more,
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