Fall Fishing Packages - Fly Fishing on the Deerfield River

Join us this fall for our annual Hawk Mountain Lodge Fishing Workshops!  Zoar Outdoor's weekend courses are the best way to start and are taught by Federation of Fly Fisher certified guides along the unspoiled Deerfield River in western, Massachusetts just 2-3 hours from Boston, NYC, Hartford and Providence.  

Stay in our comfortable accommodations at Hawk Mountain Lodge and enjoy a restful stay at the end of the day’s activities. Workshop lodging packages provide breakfast and lunch on the Saturday and Sunday of each workshop.

Fly Fishing weekend dates for 2009 are scheduled for:

 Sept. 12 - 13, Sept. 26 - 27, Oct. 24 - 25, Nov. 7 - 8, Nov. 14 - 15

Typically the first day starts at noon with lunch and introductions, goal setting and fitting of equipment. We use the latest fishing rods and locally tied flies because we believe that you can learn better and faster in the best gear available. After a short practice session on the lawn learning how to cast, we spend the rest of the afternoon floating down an easy section of the river looking for the fish.

On the second day we will continue to work on the river and we will run several miles of class I - III whitewater looking for where the fish are rising. By the end of the weekend you'll have caught a bunch of fish (catch and release only) and floated up to 10 miles of the Deerfield River. Each day ends around 5 pm back at the base to change out of fishing gear.

The Deerfield River in western Massachusetts is one of New England's most popular fly fishing destinations.  Over the years, numerous articles extolling the Deerfield's consistently excellent angling have appeared in sporting magazines such as Fly fisherman, Fly Rod and Reel, Field & Stream, Gray's Sporting Journal and many others.  Floating the river and casting from a raft is a marvelous getaway from everyday pressures and demands, an excellent fly fishing adventure, and a time to simply enjoy the unique beauty of the river.  This is a unique and memorable experience; on a par with virtually any of the big name rivers out west.  And it is available without the necessity of long distance travel!

We use an oar-rigged raft outfitted with comfortable bow and stern seats which creates a stable platform cast from. Along the way, you will likely see a wide variety of songbirds and waterfowl as well as the occasional kingfisher, hawk, deer, beaver and perhaps osprey, bald eagle, mink, otter or bear. Your guide provides a variety of great fly fishing opportunities; maneuvering the raft precisely into position along otherwise unreachable spots.  We may also anchor up or stop to wade-fish remote hotspots and rising fish more thoroughly. Angling for smallmouth bass can be spectacular in mid to late summer.  September and early October is great time to cast for aggressive, pre-spawn wild brown trout.

• - Current MA fishing license (available online at http://sport.state.ma.us/)
• - Waders are advisable in cold or inclement conditions, wading shoes otherwise
• - Please note: NO studded footwear in raft; aquastealth soles are preferable and appropriate
• - High quality rain jacket, rain pants (if not wearing waders) and rain hat
• - Polarized sunglasses (or "fitovers") and a wide brim hat are essential
• - Dress in layers with warm, dry fabrics. To avoid hypothermia, do not wear cotton.
• - Buzz-Off outerwear and/or bug repellant in May, June and early July
• - If you prefer your own gear, a 9' rod and a WF5F or WF6F line is an excellent choice
• - A sink-tip would be very useful. Your favorite flies just might make a difference as well!
• - Camera, in waterproof protection. We'll have a camera, too. 

Prices include 2 nights lodging double occupancy at the Hawk Mountain Lodge, breakfast and lunch both days, fishing gear. Costs (assume double occupancy) are $850 for 2 people, $1650 for 4 people or $2400 for 6 people including taxes and processing fees. Dinner, gratuities and cancellation insurance are not included. A day of rock climbing, zip-lining or whitewater rafting can be added on to provide a longer adventure vacation. Zoar Outdoor also offers other multi-sport getaway packages throughout the summer and fall.

For more information or to book a reservation, call 800-532-7483.