In The Press

Charlemont, MA,  -- Zoar Outdoor will be offering guided fly fishing on the Deerfield River and surrounding rivers in western, Massachusetts this season through a partnership with several local fishing guides.  Programs will include guided trips, casting lessons and scenic float trips for full and half-day sessions from mid-May until the end of September. Zoar Outdoor’s guides will be using self-bailing oar rigged rafts outfitted with comfortable seats for an angler at each end of the raft. The rafts can be easily maneuvered to place anglers in optimum positions for casting. Casting lessons and fishing clinics will be taught by Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Instructors and will observe the “catch and release” ethic.

 

The upper Deerfield River fishery includes a diverse and productive angling habitat. The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife stocks the river spring through fall with rainbow, brown, brook and tiger trout. There is also native wild brook and stream-bred brown trout. Average stock trout sizes range from 8 to 14 inches.

 

Through the efforts of local conservation groups, the lower reaches of the river provide a good warmwater habitat for smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, rock bass and lunker fallfish. Enormous brown trout lurk in several deep, well-oxygenated pools with the largest to date measuring 25 inches.

 

Fishing on the Deerfield River is a unique and gratifying way to experience the river valley. Fishing programs can be combined with Zoar Outdoor’s other activities of biking, climbing and kayaking to create multi-sport adventure packages. For more information, contact Zoar Outdoor at 800-532-7483.