Took the day off yesterday to fish and was undecided up until I went to bed on whether to go to the coast for stripers and blues, or to head west to some trout water. We did get some rain last week and the USGS streamflow info showed that some of the areas were showing at or 3/4 the average flow. I decided to go after trout and got up at 3:45 and was on the road by 4:30. Took me a little time as I needed to pack the car, make some snacks and get the coffee made. I headed for the EB of the Westfield and was there and headed down the dirt road that parallels the river by 6:45. Only other person I saw was a couple walking their dogs.

I had not been to this river in a very long time and had only fished below the dam when I last fished it. Figured it was a bit bigger river, so chose the Cortland Pro-Crest 1-620-1 8' 5/6 wt with a 1494 Medalist and a Maxcatch DT 5wt line (does surprisingly well). Considered bringing the Fenwick 856, but I had used that the week before and wanted to give this rod some time. It does roll cast very well.

The conditions were tough and the water was low, but there were a few deeper pools in the 1.5 miles I walked downstream fishing as I went. I was nymphing and wasn't having any success. so stopped fishing around 11:30 and walked back up to the car. Beautiful place, and probably great in higher water earlier in the year. I have studded wading shoes and some of the bigger rocks were a challenge - really was happy having the wading staff along.

Some pics:













I was going to head north and see what another spot had, but the water was pretty warm on the EB Westfield, so I decided to head east and hit the Swift River. The Swift starts out at the bottom end of the large Quabbin Reservoir and the water is cold as it comes from the Windsor Dam. There were a fair amount of cars, which meant anglers at the Route 9 parking area, so I went south of there and ran into a few more anglers, but found a spot with no other people around and I have had success there a few years ago.

I decided to try the Cortland FR2000 5/6 1-625-1 here with a Battenkill c&p 5/6 reel with some WF Cortland 333 line on it. I switched to using a yarn indicator with a PT nymph and a black BH midge as a trailer. I also switched up the waders to a lightweight pair and could tell that the water was colder and that these things had 3 or 4 leaks in them. The fishing was better hear, from a riffle to a run to a decent little slot in the middle. I could see some fish swimming at the end of the pool and I actually caught 2 brookies - one 9-10" and the other about 7". My oldest kept calling me about a problem with some software and my stomach was rumbling - so I packed it in for the 1:15 ride home getting home at 6pm.

All in all a good day spent outside doing something that I love to do.

Excellent post. Thanks for sharing. I also haven’t fished the Westfield in a long time and haven’t hit the Swift since late last November or early December. Haven’t fished for trout since early May due to the severe drought conditions.
I finally got out to fish moving water again last Saturday evening and decided to hit the Millers River since water levels have recovers somewhat after that much needed rain. No trout for me but plenty of action with smallies hitting a chubby Chernobyl on top.
You picked one of my favorite spots on the Swift. The riffle behind you and the pool down stream has been very good to me. Haven’t fished above Rt 9 or the pipe in a few years because of the crowds. Hopefully we’ll get more rain so the State will stock the Westfield this Fall. They didn’t a couple of years ago because of low water but there are deep pools and the fish are there.

I'll say. Those Cortland rods were ideal for the day's fishing.

Thanks folks for the comments.

Corlay & Whrlpool - The Cortlands are very nice fishing tools and I am glad to have been able to get a few to try out. The two Pro-Crest rods are in very very good shape and they appear to be lightly used. The FR2000 has some scuffs, but it is still in good fishable shape for sure and it is a bit more full flexing than the Pro-Crest rods (the 8' being softer than the 1-619-1 7.5' 5/6).

Upstream - The software issue is funny. I work in Tech and have spent some time in IT as well, so everyone assumes I know how to fix any problem hardware or software and I am the person family and friends call when a tech issue arises. I'm pretty good at solving most things with some troubleshooting or common sense with some creative problem solving, but I was not too happy to be repeatedly bothered with an issue that was due to poor planning and a looming deadline. I was out of cell range for much of the day, which was good, so I agree - being out of cell range can be a good thing.

Troutman - having the option of salt or freshwater fishing is a very nice thing and something that I do not appreciate as much as I should.

Nice pics and greatwrite up! As my family's IT specialist, I'm glad most of my trips are to places without mobile coverage.