swift river/stillwater fishing - rules

I will hit those two spots in the morning and afternoon on same day. So, I have same concern about those rivers.

my concern about swift river - what is their rules and fish limit? such as catch/release only or what?

Secondly, stillwater river connected to Thomas basin, and what is their rules? any restrictions?

Please let me know about anything that I should aware of it. other than potential danger of fishing alone.

Thanks for the info! I will post pictures and possible video if I could. Should be great!

There are regulations for both. Some of the Swift is C&R only. Direct contact with the water is not allowed on the Stillwater, but waders are fine in some sections (but not below the railroad bridge to Thomas basin). I'm just about 100% C&R myself so I'm not sure about the regs for keeping your catch on either, but it's on the State website if you do a search.

One thing to think about it to make sure you disinfect your boots and waders if you plan on entering both watersheds in the same day. Rock snot is in MA now, and it's not worth messing around with helping it spread.

While it may be legal to harvest a salmon this time of the year in the Stillwater remember what they are there for, and put 'em back so that we'll have more in the future.

Thesegoto11 - Thanks for tip and info! And yes, I plan to use wader. Also, I don't plan to keep any fish unless they are monster size. so, I can provide my family a whole dinner plate with only one fish on thanksgiving.

Have fun out there. The water is low in the Stillwater and there aren't many fish this year so far.

I don't fault you for keeping a good fish (I still keep 3 or 4 a year on average myself over the course of 12 months). If you do get a salmon on the Stillwater please just think about letting that monster go if it's a female. I caught my personal best recently, and let her go so she could make some more monsters. It would have sucked for me to get home and see a bunch of eggs in her when I could have just bought some meat at the store. I want to catch more of them for many years to come! That said, good luck and have some fun! And, if you let some go now you can feel okay keeping one on the Res next summer since you let them spawn.

My last trip to the Swift a couple of weeks ago was also great. I know the smart word is to fish small nymphs there, but I went outside the box that day and caught a couple nice bows on streamers.

I can't get one to look at my lures flys and bait in the still water!

I'm dying to catch my first salmon!

I will release it unless it's not going to survive!

So how small of nymphs???

On the swift- the smallest nymphs you can find. Flouro leader and consider 6X. Dead drift is critical. Very picky fish there, and they should be with all the guys that chuck everything in the book at them.

A large nymph would be size 22. Dan Trella, the Dean of the Swift, ties a Wicked Pissah in size 32. The damn thing is nearly microscopic. I think you need an 8x tippet to squeeze thru the hook eye.

haha, I never got skunked at river with bead rig/sponge rig so far in five years! So, they are my to-go rig! SUPER CHEAP! (college budget!!!)

Also, I am definitely not taking any female LL salmon. I know how valuable they are. Any male will do fine with me. But I never caught one in Mass. it will be interesting ball game for me! LOL

hell, all of my salmons was caught on Blackhawk size 6 hook! (I think that is what my hook is called... Need to look it up again to refresh my mind!)

cool so super small nymphs!

awesome!!!!!! ill deff be getting some for sunday!!

hows the quinpoxet river???? they run up there as well????

i saw the same guy every sunday leaving with 2 salmon! he knows what hes doing!!!

last week it was the nymphs!!! 2 weeks ago it was stoneflys

I don't fault you for keeping a good fish (I still keep 3 or 4 a year on average myself over the course of 12 months). If you do get a salmon on the Stillwater please just think about letting that monster go if it's a female. I caught my personal best recently, and let her go so she could make some more monsters. It would have sucked for me to get home and see a bunch of eggs in her when I could have just bought some meat at the store. I want to catch more of them for many years to come! That said, good luck and have some fun! And, if you let some go now you can feel okay keeping one on the Res next summer since you let them spawn.

Winning post! I urge you guys to think twice before keeping any of the landlocks from any tributaries this fall as they are spawning which is essential to their continuance in the Res. These fish should not be treated as a "put and take fishery" and contrary to what many people think, landlocks do not come from a stocking truck.



Here is a good place to start with the regulations.
http://www.eregulations.com/massachusetts/huntingandfishing/fishing-seasons/