Copyright 2011 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Deerfield River
Massachusetts
This river is a tailwater for certain. It's a series of five
dams in located in the state of Massachusetts that
control the flow of water. The river actually starts at
Haramon Reservoir in Vermont, flows through a section
of Massachusetts and eventually into the Connecticut
River. There are two "catch and release" areas that are
generally the best areas to fish.
Although the river is heavily stocked by the state, there
are some wild brown and brook trout to be found in its
waters. The holdover fish can run rather large. Browns
are occasionally caught over twenty inches long.
Rainbows probably average around twelve inches but
can get as large as 18 inches and even larger.
Fly fishing the Deerfield River can be a little dangerous.
You have to be very careful when wading. The flow of
water from the dams can change the water velocity very
quickly. It's impossible to wade the river when they are
running a lot of water. Most of the river consist of long
runs and riffles between large pools of water. Some of
the large pools have very slow moving water that
appears to be completely still at times. Much of the
bottom in these large pools consist of mud. The bottom
has a lot of rocks with silt over in some areas of the
streams bottom.
The most popular and the best area of the river to fish is
below Fife Brook Dam. The water is more typical of a
trout stream in this section with pools, runs and riffles.
This is a nice looking area with steep hills on each side
of the river as it runs through a narrow valley like area.
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Deerfield River is open year-round.
Spring:
For all practical purposes, the season starts in early
April with the hatches of aquatic insects. Late spring is
probably the best time of the year to fish the Deerfield
river.
Summer:
T. U. has been successful in coordinating the releases
of water from the dams on a minimum flow basis during
the hot summer and the fishing can be good throughout
the summer.
Fall:
Early autumn is a good time to fish. The surrounding
woods are beautiful and the brown trout eagerly attack
streamers.
Winter:
You can fish the Deerfield during the winter since the
dam discharges water that is suitable for fishing. Trout
can be caught on warm winter days on midge patterns.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Deerfield River
You can wade or fish from the banks or float the
Deerfield River. Fly Fishing the Deerfield River ranges
from easy or difficult.
(Click Here to Continue)
Massachusetts
This river is a tailwater for certain. It's a series of five
dams in located in the state of Massachusetts that
control the flow of water. The river actually starts at
Haramon Reservoir in Vermont, flows through a section
of Massachusetts and eventually into the Connecticut
River. There are two "catch and release" areas that are
generally the best areas to fish.
Although the river is heavily stocked by the state, there
are some wild brown and brook trout to be found in its
waters. The holdover fish can run rather large. Browns
are occasionally caught over twenty inches long.
Rainbows probably average around twelve inches but
can get as large as 18 inches and even larger.
Fly fishing the Deerfield River can be a little dangerous.
You have to be very careful when wading. The flow of
water from the dams can change the water velocity very
quickly. It's impossible to wade the river when they are
running a lot of water. Most of the river consist of long
runs and riffles between large pools of water. Some of
the large pools have very slow moving water that
appears to be completely still at times. Much of the
bottom in these large pools consist of mud. The bottom
has a lot of rocks with silt over in some areas of the
streams bottom.
The most popular and the best area of the river to fish is
below Fife Brook Dam. The water is more typical of a
trout stream in this section with pools, runs and riffles.
This is a nice looking area with steep hills on each side
of the river as it runs through a narrow valley like area.
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Deerfield River is open year-round.
Spring:
For all practical purposes, the season starts in early
April with the hatches of aquatic insects. Late spring is
probably the best time of the year to fish the Deerfield
river.
Summer:
T. U. has been successful in coordinating the releases
of water from the dams on a minimum flow basis during
the hot summer and the fishing can be good throughout
the summer.
Fall:
Early autumn is a good time to fish. The surrounding
woods are beautiful and the brown trout eagerly attack
streamers.
Winter:
You can fish the Deerfield during the winter since the
dam discharges water that is suitable for fishing. Trout
can be caught on warm winter days on midge patterns.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Deerfield River
You can wade or fish from the banks or float the
Deerfield River. Fly Fishing the Deerfield River ranges
from easy or difficult.
(Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Tailwater Species Brown Trout (stocked with holdovers) Rainbow (stocked with holdovers) Brook (stocked with holdovers) Size Medium-Large Location Northwestern Massachusetts Nearest Towns Deerfield Charlemont Season Year-round Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Massachusetts Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Dam Release Schedule: Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear |
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Deerfield River Massachusetts
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Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
Thumbnail Images of trout from the
Deerfield River courtesy of Brian Lynch of
www.pheasanttailtours.com. He provides
float fishing guide services on the
Deerfield River. Brain can be reached at
brian@pheasanttailtours.com
Deerfield River courtesy of Brian Lynch of
www.pheasanttailtours.com. He provides
float fishing guide services on the
Deerfield River. Brain can be reached at
brian@pheasanttailtours.com
Click on
thumbnails
to enlarge
thumbnails
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