2008 Spring and Summer Fly, Spey, Switch Rod News
Walt Geryk
date 07/23/08
______________________________________________________________________________________

I finally had a chance to sit down and write up a newsletter to hopefully catch everyone up on what’s been happening since the fantastic spring steelhead ended and the Massachusetts trout season got underway.

New York Salmon River Region:
 
Spring steelhead was absolutely outstanding with good numbers of fish spread throughout the river into Mid-May. Almost every outing sounded to be exaggerated but the truth is in the photos and that multiple and double digit days were the norm for spring 2008.
Fly fishing was great with both floating lines and mini-sink tips loaded on large arbor reels seated to 6 and 7 weight 10’ rods.  Instituting another presentation, which I named “The Reach and Drop Cast”, hooks ups increased dramatically for those who mastered this easy mend presentation. The Reach and Drop Cast allows for the fly and fly line to be presented effectively almost as soon as it lays out on the water and proper fly tracking is achieved immediately. This tight line presentation is a great spey, bugger, streamer and wet fly presentation that allows the fly and fly line to perform effectively and methodically from start to finish all the while the fly will be tracking effectively in the zone for up to 5 times longer then the traditional swing. Enough on this, if you’d like to learn more give me a call to set up a day on the water.

New York Fall Forecast:

Plenty of water which should allow for great flows and steady runs of salmon. Capt. Troy Creasy of High Adventure Lake Charters reports that the brown trout fishing has been very good, winds permitting, and that the salmon are still located along the Canadian Shores.  Look for the winds to change and the lake to begin to turn over which will mark the beginning or the salmon migration to Easter Shore of Lake Ontario and their staging off its tributaries. All indicators are pointing to an outstanding fall salmon season.
Watch for updated river reports soon. Think about early mid September to get hooked soon!

Massachusetts Deerfield River:

Fly fishing was great on the Deerfield River by Mid-May. Soft hackle, wets and buggers were producing daily and often with many hook ups and photographs. The weather and heat for the Deerfield put the fish into August mode by mid June due to 2 plus weeks without any consistent flows or releases while fishing remains a little erratic.  The amount of success one will have seems to be directly related on the fly rodders experience level and patience, especially on the Deerfield River. So far, this is a season of larger healthy trout with most in the 14 to 16 inch class.  A few 18-20” browns and rainbows have been caught so far this season with some tipping the 3 pound plus class.
Now, early mornings are showing many nice rising and feeding trout and evenings for the most part are the same. There have been two days, which success was rated by how many refusals and flashes my clients flies had, while they learned the importance of presentation and patience.  Most trout seem to be hunkered down deep and under the protection or rocks and shadows to stay away from the direct sun light. Cast and splash a large hair wing or terrestrial in these areas and you may just get an exciting crash on these meaty attractor flies.

Massachusetts Westfield River:

With the weekly and almost daily rain, we have had great results on this beautiful and picturesque river.  Staying away on low water days and wet wading after a rain is a great way to appreciate terrestrial dry fly fishing at its best. In the higher flows and pinching the barb always results in some nice pictures. If we happen to hit this river on a low flow and near 70 degree water temp day, I’ll cut off the hook, we get hooked up for a few seconds and a long line release is completed. No fish pictures, no stress and no harm done. Just a great time for us while not handling the precious trout that deserved to be caught more then just once!

Fly, Spey and Switch Rods:

The 10 foot fly rod has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of my guiding and personal equipment arsenal for most of our fly fishing applications but now I'm adding a few new tools of the trade.

This past spring I was lured into a switch rod and spey rod by Malinda’s Fly Shop along with Gene and Fred two of my clients. I found this type of fly / spey fishing to offer some distinct advantages in certain situations while offering another way to effectively present larger spey and streamer patterns in most water conditions.
I found myself purchasing a 10’6” switch rod which is allowing me to perfect the art of spey casting. It’s different and can be a pleasant change from fly fishing. Even though in my opinion, spey casting does not  replace traditional fly fishing as we know it but definitely can offer your fly fishing some new mends and casts. Spey fishing also offers a way to cover larger pools and larger rivers with little or no line stripping. Also, a few of the spey casts can be achieved with your fly rod which will help you become a more diverse fly rodder. Fly rodders just keep on learning and advancing each time out on the water, that’s why fly fishing is so much fun!

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

2008 New York Fall Salmon Season & 2009 Spring Steelhead Season is Just Ahead

Massachusetts Deerfield River & Westfield Rivers Trout Outings are Now

Check out my Testimonials Page

Stop by my EBAY PAGE
and see some like new but used items that I will periodically list

Practice and Promote
Catch, Release and Ethical Angling

Use Orvis Rods and Reels and Walt's own custom made sink-tips.

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, switch or spey rod, how to read water for safety and fly fishing, present a fly, experience the fight of a fresh water trophy and much more,
without using the chuck and duck method.

"Leave the Water a Better Flyfisher!"

For more information on Walt's services, visit his web site and be sure to sign up for Neff-News and refer your friends to do the same so everyone can stay up dated on what's going on with theNortheast Fly Fishing Waters.