Archive for November 2015

Central Massachusetts Fly Fishing

Part 2: Westfield River, East Branch   The East Branch of the Westfield is a spectacular destination regardless of the superb fly fishing it hosts.  The Chesterfield Gorge section consists of enormous rock cliffs cut steeply by this raging freestone stream.  Downstream of the gorge a 9 mile stretch of catch-and-release fishing awaits you, all year round.…

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Fly Fishing Costa Rica

Freshwater Paradise in the Mountain of Death     The Cerro de la Muerte (also translated as “Summit of Death”) is the highest peak along the Costa Rican section of the Inter-American Highway. It is home to the most stunning scenery I have ever seen – you are literally above the clouds on a volcanic mountain…

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Best Winter Fly Fishing

3 Tips for Success in the Colder Months Yesterday’s Trout Haven trip to Chittenango Creek yielded several beautiful brown trout.  Consider the following tips to improve your chances of catching trout as winter encroaches.   1. Timing – During the colder months the Sun will make all the difference.  Allow the Sun to shine for a…

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Dry Fly in November?

      That’s right… yesterday was mostly sunny with air temperatures around 53°F.   There were no fish rising, and very few small bugs coming off the surface.     On water like this I usually start with a prospecting dry-dropper rig.  Trout Haven’s Madam X proved to be an effective dry fly once…

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Native Brook Trout

While all types of trout are remarkable creatures, native brook trout are especially magnificent.  There is something alluring about their colors, their vigorous appetite, and their uncanny ability to live in inconspicuous places.     Upstate New York harbors some of my favorite brook trout water – small streams at higher elevations with cold spring…

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Fly Fishing

3 Tips for Stealthy Fishing     1.  Hide – Keep a large object between your body and the stream. Bear in mind where your shadow is and how it casts.  Anything that obscures the trout’s perception of you will improve your opportunity to catch fish. You can approach the above pool from where this picture was…

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Custom Flies

3 Custom Flies that Catch Trout!   Confidence in your fly selection is of the utmost importance when fly fishing.  Whether you are on new water or your favorite stream, using flies that you know will catch fish makes all the difference.  The following three flies are tried and true – patterns that work on…

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Spruce Creek

3 Reasons You Need to Fish Spruce Creek!   Visit our Spruce Creek webpage to reserve your trip to Spruce Creek! Or you can click here. 1. Catch Huge Trout!       2. Hemlock Lodge is Awesome!       3. Spruce Creek is Loaded with Trout!     Spruce Creek is teeming with…

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Central Massachusetts Fly Fishing River

Part One: Swift River   The Swift River is the only true bottom-release river in the state of Massachusetts.  It draws its water from the bottom of the Quabbin Reservoir giving the Swift cold clean water year-round.  Most of the fish in this river are rainbow trout stocked annually by the state.  There are some…

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