Westfield River Scouting Mission

[jskowron]

The kids and I did went on a little scouting mission yesterday to check out the Westfield River. The water is primarily open now and wadeable below the dams in Huntington (East and Middle Branches), down through the main stem into Westfield, with flows not too high. I wanted to check out the East Branch around the Chesterfield Gorge, but it got too late. There were a lot of little (16-18) stoneflies all over the snowbanks down by the turnpike bridge. We stopped at B&G sporting goods, where there was a nice (15-20% off) sale on tying materials and reels. Some pictures below.

Any of you "Eastern" Western Mass guys been out there yet?

Some Pics:

Here's the MIddle Branch below Littleville Lake:


The East Branch Along Rt. 112 in Huntington


The "Trout vs. Salmon" Sign:

[flyfishgb]

Haven't fished the westfield yet maybe you could guide a little bit .................

[jskowron]

Don't know about guiding, but I'd be more than happy to suggest a good place to park and show some places where I've caught some fish in the past . It a pretty extensive river with three branches, in addition to the main stem. I've fished mainly in the east branch above at the top of the C&R section just below Chesterfield Gorge, and that was back 7+ years ago before I moved away (and since moved back). It's certainly one of the premier rivers in the state (though it gets pretty thin on the upper stretches in the Summer. It's also closer an easy drive for you south county guys. When it warms up a little, I look forward to getting out.

[dragonma15]

I haven't been out this year yet. But this weekend is looking nice. I built a couple of rods over the winter and now I have to break them in

-Gregg

[deanh]

Andy you know the turnpike bridge is only about 30 min from our house if you go through otis ;D

[JoeOverlock]

I never pay that much attention to the Westfield. We should do a small outing to it this spring.

[jskowron]

Joe,

There's some supposedly good (I've never fished it) in the upper east branch, which isn't too far from you, sarting up in the Windsor/Savoy area. I checked on Friday and the upper sections are were still covered in ice and snow. Soon, though, very soon!

[flyfishgb]

Dean, Right down 23 or 57? towards Becket right ? ? ? The road that goes past the Outlets takes your there i think... A half hour aint bad at all. I will be scouting the Konkapot once the ice is out.
Thanks for the heads up Dean!

[FlyManDan]

I fished the East Branch today. Drove up to the Gorge and it was all frozen from above it down to the Knightville Dam. Below the Dam the water is open. I had nice day on the water today with a bunch of rainbows hitting black stoneflies and beadheaded hares ears. I tried some dries to no avail. However, I did have several hits on a beadheaded trailer I tied on in size 24. Just couldn't get a good hookup though. Here is a pic of some bamboo and water...

Dan

[JoeOverlock]

Cool...

[Mark Patenaude]

You should be fishing the slack water along that far bank.

Cold water = low fish metabolism and they'll hold where they have to fin only minimally.

Mark

[jskowron]

I drove down to Chesterfield Gorge on my way home from work today. The water is open for the most part. Some deep snow on the banks and on big rocks in the middle of the flow. Looks very fishable, with good water levels as well. This goes for the entire stretch of the East Branch running along Route 9 as well. I may have to give it try on the way home from work on Friday.

The Parking lot at Chesterfield gorge was not plowed, and the road down to upper C&R section was only plowed about 20 yards (down to the 4 Seasons Club entrance), with a 10-15ft high pile of snow blocking the passage. There is still at least a foot of snow, so until things melt it will be a tricky walk down to the C&R section. Currently, it would be difficult to find a place to park, as only about 1.5 car widths worth or road is plowed out.