Deerfield - Non Regs Area(s)

[Mark Patenaude]

Has anyone ventured to the non-C&R areas on the Deerfield. I'm talking the river in the Charlemont area (not Vt.).

Looking at Google Earth there appears to be some nice riffle/run/pool setups in the non-regs area of this part of the river.

Does anybody have any experience in these areas and if so (here it comes) could you give me some access points to try out on my impending trip.

Mark

[hoxie]

It's been a few years since I last fished there, but my Dad and I used to have a lot of fine down at Wilcox Hollow.

As you're heading east on Route 2, there's a small wooden sign pointing to a dirt road leading to it on your right. (It's opposite the quonset hut where they sell the Corvette parts). Sorry I cannot recall what Town it's in, but it's just below one of the power plant dams.

The fishing's pretty good if (like anywhere on the Deerfield) you time it righ to avoid the high water discharges. But a word to the wise - - it's rocky and treacherous underfoot.

[hunterfly]

Hoxie's right about Wilcox Hollow, which is in Shelburne. Go east past Shelburne Falls Center, past the State Police barracks and the Aubuchon. The sign for Wilcox Hollow is small, brown wood with red lettering, on your right heading east. Chances are very good you'll drive by it the first time. It is next to a house, and will at first appear to be a driveway. If you get as far east as Gould's Sugar House on your left, you've just missed it.

When you are at Wilcox Hollow, you are just upstream and on the opposite bank from my house. I fish the Conway side bank often, as well as canoeing or kayaking over to the other side. There are some very nice trout holed up in there, and it is never over-run with people.

Farther down river, the fishing is also good at Bardwell's Ferry, at least when it is not over-run with tubers. If you park by the train tracks on the Shelburne side of the bridge, and walk up towards the railroad tressle, there are a few good riffle/runs up there.

Really, the entire stretch from below Gardner Falls dam offers up great fishing, it is access that can be challenging.