Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Squannacook River
Massachusetts
The Squannacook River is without question, one of the
state's better trout streams. It flows through miles of
public land with plenty of easy, moderate and some
difficult to reach sections of water. It's a beautiful stream
with a large diversity in its waters ranging from fast
flowing freestone stream sections, meandering meadow-
like streams and slower moving areas with large deep
pools offering the perfect habit for brown trout. It's fertile
with lots of aquatic insect hatches and full of brown,
rainbow and brook trout that survive throughout the
year. It has a huge stream-born population of brook
trout in its clear, cold waters.
Fly fishing the Squannacook River is a pure pleasure in
its Black Rock area of the stream. There's a huge
overhanging boulder that identifies the area that is
fished only by those willing to take a lengthy hike to
reach its waters. There are trails leading to this section
starting from the elementary school in Townsend.
There are many other good areas. The headwaters can
be reached from State Highway #119 west from
Townsend Center at the VFW parking lot. This is where
several small tributaries or headwater brooks form the
Squannacook River. You can access the upper part at
the bridge where the Turnpike Road cross the
Squannacook River. You can hike up or downstream
from that location. From the center of Townsend Center
you can reach the stream at various locations from the
trail system just mention that takes you to the Black
Rock area. You can also turn left on Dudley Street just
past the elementary school and then hike through the
State Forest. You can access the stream from
Townsend Harbor upstream to Townsend from just off
highway State Highway #119 on a dead-end, unpaved
road that ends at the river. You can travel up or
downstream from that point.
Fly fishing the Squannacook River tributaries for brook
trout can be very productive. It has several small
tributary streams that are also regularly stocked. The
five streams that form the river are Trapfall Brook,
Willard Brook, Locke Brook, Walker Brook and Mason
Brook. Each of these are stocked with brook trout and
also have holdovers and wild brook trout. Witch Brook
and Bixby Brook are two other tributaries that are
stocked with trout. There are several other tributaries
that hold trout but are not stocked.
As you may assume, the best sections of the river are
the ones that you have to go to the most trouble to
access. They are fished less and in general, hold more
and larger trout, especially the holdovers from previous
stockings. Most anglers try to follow the hatchery trucks
and fish at the easy to access points along the river. To
catch quality trout, you should seek the remote areas.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
Massachusetts
The Squannacook River is without question, one of the
state's better trout streams. It flows through miles of
public land with plenty of easy, moderate and some
difficult to reach sections of water. It's a beautiful stream
with a large diversity in its waters ranging from fast
flowing freestone stream sections, meandering meadow-
like streams and slower moving areas with large deep
pools offering the perfect habit for brown trout. It's fertile
with lots of aquatic insect hatches and full of brown,
rainbow and brook trout that survive throughout the
year. It has a huge stream-born population of brook
trout in its clear, cold waters.
Fly fishing the Squannacook River is a pure pleasure in
its Black Rock area of the stream. There's a huge
overhanging boulder that identifies the area that is
fished only by those willing to take a lengthy hike to
reach its waters. There are trails leading to this section
starting from the elementary school in Townsend.
There are many other good areas. The headwaters can
be reached from State Highway #119 west from
Townsend Center at the VFW parking lot. This is where
several small tributaries or headwater brooks form the
Squannacook River. You can access the upper part at
the bridge where the Turnpike Road cross the
Squannacook River. You can hike up or downstream
from that location. From the center of Townsend Center
you can reach the stream at various locations from the
trail system just mention that takes you to the Black
Rock area. You can also turn left on Dudley Street just
past the elementary school and then hike through the
State Forest. You can access the stream from
Townsend Harbor upstream to Townsend from just off
highway State Highway #119 on a dead-end, unpaved
road that ends at the river. You can travel up or
downstream from that point.
Fly fishing the Squannacook River tributaries for brook
trout can be very productive. It has several small
tributary streams that are also regularly stocked. The
five streams that form the river are Trapfall Brook,
Willard Brook, Locke Brook, Walker Brook and Mason
Brook. Each of these are stocked with brook trout and
also have holdovers and wild brook trout. Witch Brook
and Bixby Brook are two other tributaries that are
stocked with trout. There are several other tributaries
that hold trout but are not stocked.
As you may assume, the best sections of the river are
the ones that you have to go to the most trouble to
access. They are fished less and in general, hold more
and larger trout, especially the holdovers from previous
stockings. Most anglers try to follow the hatchery trucks
and fish at the easy to access points along the river. To
catch quality trout, you should seek the remote areas.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout (wild and stocked with holdovers) Rainbow (wild and stocked with holdovers) Brook Trout (native) Size Medium to Large Location Central Massachusetts Nearest Towns Townsend Season Year-round Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Massachusetts Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies |
Squannacook River Massachusetts
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Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |