Hey everyone,
I am very new to fly fishing. I fish for carp, trout, bass, and bluegill. I am planning on heading up to the swift river for some trout next spring, and I was wondering if anyone has fished ther before. Thanks
If it’s the Swift in Ware, MA, you can fish it anytime, although it’s been tough lately with very high water. BUT, in that very clear water, those trout are notoriously difficult, and may prove frustrating if you’re just starting out. Most folks are using 6-7x tippets and size 22-26 nymphs there.
Here’s a suggestion. Get a copy of TU’s book ‘Trout Fishing in Massachusetts’ and look for the DFW stocking reports on the web, and go visit some of the streams and ponds closer to where you live. You’ll find those fish easier and much less picky.
If you do want to trout fish in MA this winter, drive up to the Deerfield river near Charlemont (instead of to the Swift) and fish some streamers. If you can get there when water is less than 1000 cfs, so much the better.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that it was the one in NH, which is different from the one in MA
I stayed at the Jigger Johnson campground the toward the end of May last year. Although we were there to hike, not fish, I did walk along the river each morning.
Bring your bug juice, 100% deet.
The black flys are fierce.
I havent fished it with a fly rod but I have caught some decent brookies there on a spinning rod…been a while, probably was in the late 1990’s last time I fished it. Fishing wasnt my main form of outdoor recreation at the time…hiking was. 
Take care everyone and cya around. Mark
Josko, I know of guy’s who have been doing very well on the Swift this winter. If the flows are high they come back down in a day or two. I wanted to go out there yesterday but I fished closer to home because I had to drive into Logan (yuk). I second the Deerfield River. I look forward to getting out there soon. Check out: Berkshireflyfishing.org