Fly Fishing on the Swift River Photo

Photographer’s Note

The Swift River in Western Massachusetts was dammed up in the 1930s to create the Quabbin Reservoir. Today this is still a major drinking water source for Massachusetts and because of this there is no boating or other water activity allowed. This shot is after the spill way as the overflow continues south in the Swift River. The area is set aside as fly fishing only and it is catch and release. Since it is called fishing and not catching I imagine there is not much of the sport or pleasure that is lost.

The lines from the fishermen are all assorted colors, I imagine for ease in sorting out the tangles when there are many in the same area. When the light is right the line sinuously being paid out is mesmerizing.

Floydian, vasilpro, edouard_lauer, dareco, ribeiroantonio, sevy, AiresSantos, Cretense, jhm, Budapestman, lrw1966, Kielia, stego, PixelTerror, fanni, avene, jlbrthnn, bakes888, patdeph, Charo, bobocortis, pablominto, Didi, Giedra70, tpstrek, danos has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Floydian (30970) 2009-05-26 9:49

Hi Greg,

I never did fly fishing, we always fish with a kind of lure, throw it out and wait...letting time pass by ;-)
Love the net what he's got on his back, how handy, but also your tight framing and most of all the timing with the wire zig-zag through the picture...very ncie.

Take care,

Henk

vasilpro (7989) 2009-05-26 12:04

Hello Greg,
Amazing timing and composition. Great photo.
Best regards, Vasilis.

edouard_lauer (1063) 2009-05-26 13:34

Hi Greg,

this scene remembers me of a film a like a lot "a river runs through it". Superbly well caught with the elliptic movement of the fishing pole...there is such a technique behind

Cheers,
Edi

bracasha75 (21652) 2009-05-26 13:50

Helo Greg
Howdy my old friend???
I see you love sport fishing lot...
I like to fish to but on very very amateur way
I do fish sometime when i,m free
Great shot Greg
Cheers,Braca

jonathan_hart (22564) 2009-05-26 14:12

nice picture, i like the angle and the timing is all fine
jc

Jeppo (11602) 2009-05-26 14:18

I like the green tones here...the image is full of peace and quiet...this should be a great place for relaxing!

well done
silvio

dareco (17024) 2009-05-26 18:16

I also was reminded of the movie (A river ...) That was the first time I had heard of this type of fishing. It really is fascinating to watch. An excellent capture!! Very nice colors and detail. TFS

ribeiroantonio (21739) 2009-05-26 21:15

The action was very well captured with a perfect speed and exposure. In my opinion it is a wonderful shot. Well done.
Antonio

emka (21143) 2009-05-26 23:32

Hi Greg, I do not understand of the pleasure of fishing, it seems it is a typical men's activity. Nice picture, I like this line around him. What is it on his back? beautiful calm tiver.

warm regards

Malgorzata

sevy (12893) 2009-05-27 0:38

Hello Greg,

This shot makes me thinking about the movy 'A river flow through it'.
Very good composition with the use of the curves of the fishing line. Nice narrow deep of field to isolate the fisherman from the background.

Yves.

AiresSantos (41322) 2009-05-27 3:45

Hi Greg
In the right time to catch the motion of the fisherman. Wonderful POV and colours.
Have a nice day
Aires

Cretense (54794) 2009-05-27 3:54

Hi Greg!

Excellent daily life scene, fantastic portrait of a fisherman in a fantastic natural environment! Great composition and framing, excellent timing, great light managment! Congratulations!

Hercules

jhm (81687) 2009-05-27 4:45

Hello Greg,

You took a very nice picture, the lines from the fishermen are all assorted colours, this gives a very attractive picture.
Lovely soft colours, very fine for look at.
Sharpness and clarity are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

Budapestman (40962) 2009-05-27 5:18

Hi Greg,
Great shot...photo with beautiful mood with superb timing. The string of the fishing rod lashes about as a whip in air, the man's equipment is very professional. The environment is wonderful and the twinkling of the water surface is a very beautiful detail. Picturesque and peaceful impression, Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

batalay (20690) 2009-05-27 6:48

Hello Greg,

This is an exceptional shot of fly fisherman, clearly an expert. I was fascinated by your note explaining that fish caught are fish released. In 1996, while on a tour bus through Scotland, I captured a fly fisher while standing on a bridge. I imagine you need quite a bit of "elbow room" in this sport, making it also a singularly isolating experience.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Vasa (4836) 2009-05-27 10:13

Hi Greg, friend,

fly fishing was my way to wish. With the time I got the friendship with fishes and I cannot kill them any more. Like you, I like better make the pictures about. Yours is excellent, superb thematic photo. I like it very much,

Branko

guitianmiranda (3504) 2009-05-27 13:34

Hi Greg, long time without seeing pictures from you.

I like this fisherman in action, quality and decisive moment is really interesting and descriptive about what is fly fishing style.

Best regards.

Waylim (10717) 2009-05-27 17:25

Hi Greg,
I like this fly fishing image, I saw them often in Montana and Wyoming, I was not too sure if I could just take their photos at the time. This is good shot at a very good moment as the line make a nice U shape that works perfectly for your composition. the motion blur is perfect to show movement. Color is nice and rich in tone, good light, nice contrast. Great shot, I really enjoyed it.
Way

Silvio1953 (40771) 2009-05-28 8:05

Ciao greg, lovely composition with fisherman in great action, splendid light and colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

lrw1966 (1630) 2009-05-28 9:35

Greg, HI:

Beautiful, just Beautiful. Thanks, so much, a keeper for sure.

Larry

Kielia (8183) 2009-05-28 12:09

Hi Greg,
That was a decisive moment! Very fascinating capture of the line and the angler who is so nicely concentrating on his activities. The colors of the water are really beautiful and the moody light is very attractive. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

stego (22326) 2009-05-29 8:55

Hi Greg,
What a capture! You clicked the shutter on the exact millisecond to catch the line in the air. A great documentary, but the place is also very pleasant to the eye. Those greens are amazing.
Regards,
José

rbassin (4163) 2009-05-29 9:35

Hello Greg,
Une très belle prise de vue, le mouvement de la canne à pêche avec le fil est d'un très bon effet.J'aime bien la luminosité et la tonalité verte.
Bon W-E
Roland

quillo (7072) 2009-05-29 9:41

-

Hola Greg . . . . :

Excellent framing, light and good colors,
the moment of the shot is very opportune with
the fishing line flying giving movement and dynamism.

An elegant and agreeable work, congratulations.

Best regards.

-

PixelTerror (86026) 2009-05-29 13:34

Hi Greg
I'm not a specialist so can't figure out what he's doing but well framed and focused view.
Have a nice day KY

amaryllis (17045) 2009-05-30 2:19

bonjour Greg
un beau cadrage sur ce pêcheur qui est vraiment rentré dans l'eau et son attitude est assez amusante et le vert domine dans cette composition et les reflets obtenus sont magnifiques
excellente composition
bon week end
juliette

fanni (8711) 2009-05-30 14:57

Hello Greg,
I used to go fishing long ago in my childhood... and since then scenes of fishing (and photos of fishermen) are very interesting for me :)
the composition is just great! I like the moment with this zigzag fishing line which creates a good balance in the composition and adds dynamism to the scene.
Good DOF :)
Best regards,
Elena

zmey (7242) 2009-06-01 8:35

Ehh... I always wanted to do flyfishing, but i have not found time to learn the trade. one day, one day... Thanks for reminding! :)

cheers,
kristaps

claudeD (11154) 2009-06-01 14:15

Hello Greg,

very nice picture with a good composition and good colors.I like the image very much.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

Jean-Claude

avene (10870) 2009-06-02 17:20

hi Greg,
this IS mesmerizing, I cannot take my eyes off the sweeping curve of the line, and I can almot hear the "zii-iing" sound it makes :) I like a lot the warm, but clear golden green colour cast, it adds such a meditative mood to the scene ("fishing" and "meditation" are almost synonyms in my vocabulary). great shot, I like it.

best,
Kristine

jlbrthnn (36888) 2009-06-05 4:27

Hello Greg,
This image is remarkable. I am particularly sensitive there as an occasional fisherman, but far from powerful :) I am allured by the beauty of the gesture. The light and the colors make this beautiful scene very pleasant to contemplate. Congratulations.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

bakes888 (18055) 2009-06-06 0:58

Hi Greg. This fly casting lark is a bit of a black art, I have one of those rods hanging in my shed, I think I used it twice! (maybe one day ;-). Excellent catch, (excuse the pun) well timed and good handling of light and composition. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

gunbud (27533) 2009-06-07 17:34

Hi Greg,
Your spot on with this one with the varying shades of lush green reflecting in the riffling Swift and the wonderful snake line arch of the fisherman line.
Great sharp details and splendid natural colors to this lovely bit of springtime nature.
Regards, Tom

npecanhuk (13027) 2009-06-08 9:44

Hello Greg!

Another superb image! In addition to colors, exposure, pov and other elements, what mostly calls my attention here is the sensation of movement that you so skillfully got in this photograph!

TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

patdeph (17406) 2009-06-15 9:06

hello Greg
the timing was excellent,I like very much the movment of the wire!The green color of the water and the trees is wonderful,really enhanced by the tight framing!Superb!
Regards
Pascale

Charo (31651) 2009-06-15 15:11

Hello Greg,
Wonderful moment captured on the line literally flying through the air. Superb composition with great dynamism and details.
Best wishes,
buscar
Charo

mauro61 (14614) 2009-06-19 3:20

ciao Greg,
bella immagine di pesca da cui traspare tutto il relax del pescatore e il clima intorno.
Ottime luci e perfetta inquadratura.
un saluto
maurizio

mariandrea (973) 2009-06-19 12:39

Hi Greg, good picture, just in time!! Good colours, shadows, light, and I really like the movement of the line. Congrats! Chau chau,

Maria

bobocortis (14114) 2009-06-23 0:52

Hello Greg.
This image has a wonderful dynamic and a magic composition. The environment is beautifully reproduced.
Best regards.
Bobo.

buscape (3405) 2009-06-23 15:50

Hello Greg,
beautiful capture of this fisherman pursuing a hobby. I especially like your perfect timing and the nice framing. Good light and natural colors. Well done, I like it.
Best wishes,
Helmut

pablominto (39918) 2009-06-24 5:34

Hello Greg,

This is a fun motif, and some time ago I found myself in a similar situation trying to capture a fly fisher in action!
You do well and capture the right moment here with the line mid-air...
I guess this fellow is going for smaller catch as judged by the light rod, personally I use fly for trout and Arctic char..!

Greetings,
Pablo -

Didi (35690) 2009-06-30 11:08

Hi Greg
Nice catch without a movie video camera.
Good frame quality of the man position in a strategic poin of the scene.
Best regards

roodakroofka (113) 2009-07-10 12:26

Hello Greg,
When I watch this picture I wish to be there! Everything on this picture is perfect. You’ve made a good job.
Cheers,
Boguslaw

sultana (869) 2009-07-15 5:08

Hi Greg,
Good timing!!I like colour of water, its miracle.Good light management and framing. well done.
Sultan

mafegan (3949) 2009-07-24 4:15

Hello Greg
This photo at 1/250secs was a good catch - excuse the pun! For such an action shot the fisherman and rod are well placed within the frame - I am imagining you had to take several photos to get one so well composed. Brilliant colours and the fisherman is so sharp. Tfs, Marlene

Giedra70 (554) 2009-07-24 8:14

Hi Greg,
Very nice and sharp shot.
The colors and the nature are impressive.
BR Giedrius

sacavem (8058) 2009-07-30 3:32

Olá Greg,

Good composition that he is taken at the good time and the moment.
Well done.
Filipe

tpstrek (1829) 2009-08-05 1:21

Hello Greg,
You've caught "the moment"; amazing timing and composition. Nice way of relaxing in nature (if fishing is your hobby).
Greetings,
Henri

danos (31652) 2009-09-28 1:43

Hi Greg,
a very nice and beautiful snapshot with the fisherman in action.I like the fling fishing line as the curve that created.A place who everyone would like to fish.Well done.

Have a nice week,Danos

pajaran (2411) 2009-10-10 2:01

Dobar dan iz grada na reci Velika Morava.
Mnogo volim ribolov, musicarim i pecam ostale ribe.
Dobra fotografija, dobre boje a posebno dobar trenutak snimka.
Uzivanje za gledanje.
Lep vikend dan, zeli vam Paja.