Millers River Massachusetts Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout (stocked with holdovers)
Rainbow Trout (stocked with
holdovers)
Brook Trout (native)
Size
Medium
Location
North Central Massachusetts
Nearest Towns
Warren
Palmer
Season
Year-round
Access:
Very Good
Non-Resident License
State of Massachusetts
Fishing License Article – Everything you need to know: Click Here
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Millers River Massachusetts
The Millers River is one of the best, least known streams in the state of Massachusetts. Years ago, it was considered the best trout stream in Massachusetts and then Manufacturer’s pollution took its toll. But, that was years ago! The river is now back in good shape. There are still a very few problems and in those areas the state has established “catch and release, artificial lure and flies only” areas. It has rainbow trout and some brown trout with plenty of holdovers.
The Millers River is a tributary of the Connecticut River. It flows from its beginning from lakes in the Ashburnham Area for about 50 miles. There’s over forty miles of quality trout fishing. The river flows through several towns but it also has some secluded sections.
The remote area has a catch and release section that runs from a bridge at South Ralston downstream to the Starret Factory Dam at the East end of the town of Athol. This flows with fast water running through land that is protected and hasn’t been developed. There’s a dirt road that has been turned into a hiking trail that runs the length of this area along the river. Fly fishing the Millers River in this section requires some hiking but you can fish anywhere you like in an undeveloped area that’s rare in Southern New England.
The other catch and release area runs from the Wendell/Erving Road Bridge in the town of Orange downstream to the dam in Erwin Center. There’s a Wildlife Management Area ROW along the river in the form of a dirt road that accesses this section.
Another section of river is in the Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area near Wenchdon. Remember, the two sections mentioned above are just the two catch and release sections of the river. There are many more access points along the entire length of the river.
The Tully River is a main tributary of Millers River and is within itself a good trout fishery. It’s confluence is just west of Athol Center. The Tully River’s main stem is very short and is formed from the confluence of its West and East Branches. This stream has stocked brown and rainbow trout with plenty of holdovers. There are native brook trout in its headwaters. Both branches offer good fishing opportunities and have plenty of easy access.
There are at least ten other small tributary streams that are stocked by the state. Fly fishing the Millers River can be a real adventure if you chose your spots carefully.