Deerfield River flows

[Flyguy004]

Interseting article

www.thetranscript.com/Stories/0,1413,103%257E9074%257E2857180,00.html

[JoeOverlock]

I've been saying it for years! Those high flows on the Deerfield are killing the river and washing away a lot of the nymphs.

Like Dan Willette said, we can do something about this. Call Representative Dan Bosley. But tell him to stop the high flows.

Do we really need to turn a natural stream into a bathtub so that we can leave the water on high all day so we can play in it?

[Flyguy004]

I agree. Everyone should contact Rep. Bosley.

Rep. Bosley Info.

[phone]
[phone]
or e-mail him at
Rep.Dan [e-mail]

Nothing will be done about this until enough people voice they're displeasure about the situation.

[DanaC]

Yeah, a flow regime that daily changes from 125 cfs to 700, or a 5 to one change in water level, is definitely bad for insects and other living things.

BUT, as has often been said, money talks, and fishermen are kinda silent on that score.

Do the math - Crabapple and Zoar and (the new outfit by the ski area) put maybe 150 people on the river, at 70 bucks a pop. Add in the kayak lessons and sales, stops at the Charlemont Inn, Pizza shop and general stores and you're talking serious money.

Fly fishermen, on the other hand, couldn't even keep a small fly shop open.
Gene Morey lasted, what, two years in Charlemont? Anybody who looks at the numbers, and you can bet the politicians do just that, is not going too far out on a limb for us.

Bottom line - it pays to know a bunch of different areas on the Deerfield, so that if the C&R stretch is high you have a plan B. Just my opinion.

As for the h2oline accuracy and flow schedules, my experience tells me that when they say it will come up at ten AM, it will. Or maybe sooner. When they say it will come DOWN at 2 PM, it might. Or it might not.

Dana (who STILL hasn't fished the Monroe Bridge stretch...)