Yesterday, I was ice fishing for the last time in the 2018/2019 season.
Today, for a change of pace,I took my younger son fishing,and made my first semi-serious foray on a "big" trout stream (i.e., a river as opposed to a brook) for 2019.
Including driving time, I was out from about 10 AM to 2 PM. Gorgeous day - - sunny, blue skies, temps in the mid 60's.
I had read the DFW stocked the East Branch of the Westfield in Cummington, so we tried that (near where the Swift River enters it). Water was cold, high and fast, with no sigh of any fish.
We drove to Pitttsfield and tried the NW Housatonic (along Wahcohah Street) next, both above and below the dam.
No action below the dam, and no hits above it, but we did see some big carp swimming around there. So we'll definitely be back.
(Tried last year and only briefly hooked one - - without a doubt they are the toughest fish that I've ever tried to catch).
The friendly neighborhood hobo (who camps along the river there) recommended using "crab fish" for bait. Never heard of that one - - but will definitely have to look it up.
Drove northward to home. Stopped at Cheshire Lake and took a couple casts both below the little dam where the South Branch of the Hoosic starts (nada), the impoundment just above it (ditto) and the southern end of 1st Lake itself - - where I finally struck lightning, and reeled in a crayfish that simply refused to let go of my line.
Dropped my son at home and headed off to the Greylock Glen in Adams, where I tried my "fall back" brook and landed two brookies (4" and 8").
Also picked up a nickel treasure discarded by the can fairies who kindly strew the landscape with their largesse.
Then headed for home and a well deserved late lunch (the leftovers from my ice fishing expedition from yesterday).
