Small-Stream Spring Serenades

I blinked, and just like that, it was spring.

This year’s transition between the extended (and prolonged and horrid and muddy) winter and what we are currently experiencing seemed to have truly skipped spring and launched us into early summer. That is not a complaint per se, just a bit confused where spring went this year.

Most waters that get stocked in MA have been stocked. That means that, those of us who for the last few months have been crushed up on the Swift, Deerfield, Farmington, and other such winter lifesavers, can now spread out into the rivers and creeks across the state with hope to catch something (besides Covid[rim-shot]).

I know it’s tempting when you are heading out for a few precious hours to just drive to the spot you know has fish. I am frequently filled with such proclivities myself. But flows are now reasonable. Streams have been stocked. May I make an argument for the unknown? With so much that has been nerve-wrackingly unknown for the last year or so, it is about time that we can be able to look forward to some unknown things.

The last week or two has seen some of the thin blue lines I check early season going from solely native brookies to holding some pretty hard fighting stockies too. Now I have also stepped out onto some unknown and unexplored (for me) waters too. With pleasing results. I haven’t done nearly enough exploring and I have a resolution to try a new spot at least every other trip to a river I make the rest of this year.

This next couple of weeks is a perfect time to pull out those flies that were a flop with the pretentious fish at the Y Pool. These small stream fish won’t be so picky about your Franken-flies and, from my experience, the trees and shrugs are even hungrier than the fish. This is a good place to feed the fishing gods your experimental and didn’t-pass-the-tie-test flies while still having a good chance to catch something on them.

Don’t take for granted the speed at which these small stream inhabitants learn though. Be sneaky and practice those predatory skills. Small streams means you are exposed to some nasty neighbors like storks and otters. So get out there and relish in the quest and good luck to ya.

P.S.: Looking for a new place to start? Here are some handy guides to waters by fellow blog writers (may I suggest a good spot is The East Branch?).

As well, why don’t you just pull out that map and pick a spot along a river. May I suggest the Mill River? Well I am not going to tell you which Mill River. That would just be too easy now, wouldn’t it?

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