Two nights ago I was fishing a section of the river near my house and caught a rainbow on a wet fly.  The fish was on the top dropper and in the course of escaping the net managed to throw the fly, and break off the anchor fly which dropped straight down into the pool where I was standing all in a matter of seconds – video to come.  One night later (last night) I was in the same location for just a short while.  The fish would not respond to the traditional down and across presentation that had been so successful the night before, but when I switched to dead drifting with a heavier anchor fly, I connected on the first drift: Same Hendrickson wet fly as the night before but a different presentation!  I brought in an absolutely stunning mature natural reproduction rainbow.  I took one photo of the fish in the net but as son as I unhooked him he bolted before I could take another shot.  I am happy to have ‘released’ such a magnificent rainbow with minimal handling, but I wish I could have done better job capturing his dramatic coloration with the camera.

A fly fisher’s variation on the lyric in the Beatles’ For the Benefit of Mr. Kite.  The Hendricksons – Ephemerella subvaria – have arrived throughout the lower Deerfield.  Look for birds feasting on the prolific hatches above the river.  The trout will take them as nymphs, emerger, duns and spinners.  The action on top of the water is very exciting – it is the first substantial feeding frenzy on local waters.  I like to fish a wet fly imitation that passes as an emerger,  crippled dun, and submerged spinner.  This is one of the hatches that challenges the angler to successfully compete with the  enormous amount of naturals in and on the water.  Last night I fished for a short time with my friend, Jeff J, during the hatch on a part of the Deerfield not far from town.  I often have success dead-drifting the wet fly along with a more heavily weighted nymph as an anchor, but this was not the case last night.  When I shifted to a traditional down and across wet fly presentation I had immediate success.  Come on out and experience the thrill of the hatch!

I am very excited about launching this website to offer guiding and instruction for fly fishing the Deerfield River.  I have found peace and joy through fishing my entire life.  I am eager to share this experience with others.  There are so many dimensions to fly fishing that one can easily become lost or intimidated.  Through my instruction and guide services I endeavor to ease the novice into the art without overwhelming him or her.  I hope I can help new fishers to find excitement in exploring the many facets: from understanding habitat to matching the hatch, from casting to catch and release, from tying the fly to playing the fish…

The Deerfield River in Western Massachusetts is one of the top cold water fisheries in the Northeast.  Eric Halloran of Fish Tale Fabricators is dedicated to helping new and experienced anglers explore and value this extensive resource.  Through beginning and intermediate instruction on the water, new and novice anglers can experience joy and develop confidence in tackle and technique.  Through guided half-day and full-day trips, anglers at any level can fish for three species of trout in the considerable variety of pools, riffles and runs that the Deerfield and her tributaries have to offer.  Bring your own gear or let us supply everything you need: Through our close association with The Deerfield Fly Shop we can outfit anyone via rentals or purchases of quality gear.