I fished the Swift last Saturday with Alex Bagdonas. We started at the Pipe, where we ran into Jo.
Early on, I took several bows nymphing with zebra midges. As the air temperatures warmed and fish started rising, I took more on a swung soft-hackle-and-midge set up, mostly brookies. Although all fish took the midge, the soft hackle served as an attractor. I saw several fish follow the tandem rig before hitting. As the rising became more steady, I switched over to dries.
Fishing with tiny dry flies was both challenging and rewarding. I missed many strikes since I couldn’t see the flies. Eventually, trial and error brought several rainbows and brookies to hand. Patterns that worked for me that day included tiny BWOs, Winter Caddis, and a Parachute Adams.
Later, Alex and I moved above Route 9. It was a zoo. The water was clearer up here and the fish more skittish. I hooked and lost a large bow and took a brookie sight nymphing in the Bubbler arm. Alex took some nice fish including a 14″. brookie. Eventually, I called it quits and drove the two hours back to New Hampshire.
Early morning at the Pipe. Photo credit: Alex Bagdonas
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Ashu, congrats on the good action. You have to love catching trout on dry flies this time of year. Dry flies will always be my favorite way to fish. A 14″ brook trout is a beauty.
Sam
Thanks Sam! If you get a chance, fish the Pipe. It can get crowded, but when they start rising around noon on a warm late fall day, it’s all worth it!