Explore the Deerfield

I recently had one of those epic days that took me to new places. I’ve been exploring the Deerfield River this Fall with a fresh pair of eyes. There are a lot of places to catch amazing fish on this river. The northern stretches of the Deerfield are wild with untamed terrain. Sharp rocks, steep banks and a lot to see. Bring a friend if you go, no cell service and lots of places to get into trouble. This fall is a great time to explore. Whether its the Deerfield or any other river. The cold temperatures offer a unique opportunity to hike in and experience something new. Even if you get skunked, its a learning experience. Thats half the fun.

There are a lot of blue winged olives and ants kicking around the surface of the water. Dry fly time! The streamer fishing is on par as well. Big flies for big fish. The swift is solid right now as well. Get out and experience this wonderful time of year!

Cheers,

Grant

October on the Rivers

This is a great time to fish the Deerfield and the Swift. The East Branch of the Westfield is unfortunately still out of commission and shouldn’t really be fished. What do I mean by really? The fish are there but they are stressed and hiding along the banks or at the bottom of few pools that still exist in the gorge. Try exploring new territory this Fall and find some new water. Trust me its worth exploring the many rivers and streams western Massachusetts has to offer. Guided wading trips NOW through DECEMBER. Hit me up if you want to catch some fish!

River Update • Thank God For Rain

Well the rain brought the rivers back here in the valley and its about time. The Deerfield is fishing really well and the Westfield is flowing back to its wonderful state.

The Deerfield River has some big rainbows cursing around. Use streamers and big fluffy dries. These trout are anything but lethargic and they have bad intentions for your fly. Fish this river – The rain did wonders for it.

The EB got hit HARD from this summers drought with little places for trout to hide and increasing water temperature, the weather has paid its tole on the number of fish. With luck, the rain will move some fish around and more rain will follow. Fingers crossed. I hit the upper stretches of the Westfield after the rain and had some luck. Its not totally wiped clean…

The Swift, what a river. Its been solid all year. Oh, and Its still hopper season. I headed to the Swift not to long ago and used my Westfield Hopper Dry fly on some southern areas of the river in my canoe. I’ve been exploring some new territory / fishing techniques on this river and it seams to be producing some beautiful fish. Dry flies are always on my mind when fishing this river. Hoppers, Blue Winged Olives, are a must, Caddis and large Orange Stimulators can bring some large brown trout to the surface. Killer water.

My advice, fish the Swift and let the Westfield regain its sea legs. Its been a rough summer.

Cheers,

Grant

Now Guiding on the SWIFT!

I have been putting this river off on my guiding list for some time now. But no more! I love this river despite its occasional crowds of people and I want to show others the beauty of the Swift. It is time.The Swift River is a beautiful tailwater fishery that flows directly out of the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts. Its a hop skip and a jump from Boston and makes for some of the best dry fly / sight fishing in the state.

The Swift has a popular catch and release stretch with anglers throwing microscopic flies to some VERY educated, pretentious trout. (boring) I do not guide there. The Swift has miles of water below that stretch teaming with brook trout and oversized browns.

I will show you some of the lesser known locations on the Swift with trout eager to take a fly no mater what time of year. The brook trout population is incredible on this tailwater and its on of the best rivers to learn how to fly fish or just brush up on your skills. I know you will fall in love with this river like I have over the years. Give it a shot!

Email me at grantfigura@gmail.com to book a trip.

Westfield River Update & Guiding on the Deerfield

The heat and lack of rain is really effecting the EB. The water is low and the fish are spooky. There are still places to catch good fish if you know where to go but this is not the Westfield I was fishing three weeks ago. That being said the time to fish this river is in the evening. Lots of hatches and the rainbows come alive on the surface around 6pm.  Royal Wulffs, Blue Winged Olives, Adams Flies and Orange Stimulators are killing it on the EB and the Deerfield River. The magic hour on the Deerfield is bringing some big fish to the surface. Guiding on the Deerfield in the evening has been amazing. Here’s Dan with his first rainbow trout on the fly. Not bad at all! If you want to book a guided wading trip or lesson, hit me up at www.northriveranglers.com and ill put you on the fish!

Cheers,

Grant

Floating the Swift & Saving for a Drift Boat

I’ve been floating the Swift River for some time now in my one person canoe on my day off. What a place. I love floating this river, It presents so many opportunities to fish water where few people have fished. Did I mention that there are some HUGE fish in the Swift. One of the reasons I keep coming back to the Swift is the brook trout population. 

More brook trout than one angler knows what to do with. I don’t guide on this river due to the crowds and the over fished catch and release area. Its a fine area to fish by yourself If you haven’t done it but its not exactly where I want to take clients. What I really want for myself and for my clients is a western style drift boat. I am saving for one of these bad boys and the first river on my list to float is the Swift. If anyone who reads this blog knows of a guide that is selling their drift boat please let me know. Im trying to expand the waters I fish and a drift boat is my next step. See you out there!

Cheers,

Grant

 

Guiding and a little about the Westfield River

I have spent a lot of time fishing the East Branch of the Westfield River and every time I head out I learn something new. This EB is a beautiful freestone river that beckons to be fished. The landscape is that of a Montana river with huge boulders that break up the water with plenty of room to back cast.  This spring is all about the rainbows on the EB. They are cursing around taking large buggers and fluffy dries. Last Spring the EB had a lot of brookies but not this season. The rainbows are aggressively ruling the water and showing no signs of slowing down. Check this river out, you won’t be disappointed. 

East Branch Madness

The fish are hitting everywhere but especially the East Branch of the Westfield River.  Rain has really brought the water level up but that hasn’t stopped the fish from hitting streamers and royal wullfs.  Mayflies are out and the blue winged olives are starting… its more than go time. I’ve been busy in the studio working and busy guiding so a day off was necessary. I headed out early and landed rainbow after rainbow. More rain rolled in and both the fish and myself could’ve cared less.

Spring is one of the best times to see this river for the first time. Bald eagles, great blue herons, salamanders, bears, moose, deer its all down in the gorge. So much to experience. Oh and did I mention fiddle heads… Last fish of the day was an 18 inch brown trout caught in one of my secret spots.

If you want to check this river out and catch some fish. Hit me up at grantfigura@gmail.com and check out:

www.northriveranglers.com

Cheers,

Grant

 

Guiding on the Deerfield River

The Deerfield River is coming alive with Spring. The fishing is a little challenging this early in the season but the fish are there.  Lots of mayfly hatches and even some blue winged olives are flying around. Streamers are a go to right now and mid day fishing is honestly so – so. The time to catch it is in the morning and evening from 4pm on. You know, the usual. I’m taking dates down for May and June. Hit me up and check out my guiding page / website if you are interested.

www.northriveranglers.com 

Cheers,

Grant

Wild Browns • Deerfield River

The Deerfield River is a stellar river to catch some huge native brown trout. Its one of my favorite places to fish and there are always new places to explore. Try and resist the urge to look up the Massachusetts stocking schedule and catch stockies, theirs nothing wrong with that but this time of year is for exploring new water and casting out big streamers for big fish.

If you can resist the urge to follow your local “trout truck” and go explore the Deerfield River you may be well reward with a beautiful native brown trout. I offer guided wading trips on the Deerfield and the EB of the Westfield. If you want to catch fish and learn about these rivers email me at grantfigura@gmail.com

and check out www.northriveranglers.com

Happy Easter,

Grant