Technically, this is opening day for trout fishing on ponds and lakes in New Hampshire. That’s fine and dandy, but there’s no open water yet on lakes or ponds in Pittsburg, and probably won’t be for a week or two to come.

There is some fishing going on at the Connecticut River, however, but the weather this week has been less than ideal for getting out there and actually enjoying yourself. The picture above is of a robust 19″ brown caught and released by OMR a couple of days ago – gulped a smelt pattern in his quest to keep his caloric intake up.

More snowflakes in the air over the last few days and nights than insect life (2″ of snow on Wednesday night, 3″ on Thursday, and 3″ more last night), so the trout are “slow and low” right now. Think heavily weighted nymphs and streamers on sinking lines, fished as slowly as possible in the slower, deeper water.

It’s all in “the twitch”…

Keep your thermos of coffee handy.

River temp was taken this week and hovered in the 36 – 37 degree range, so it is mighty cold if you should take a tumble. Expect low flows below the dams, though the water below Murphy Dam yesterday was off color, probably due to a few of the major tribs that feed Lake Francis.

You can expect slightly higher flows below major tributaries to the Connecticut as you go south from here, so a sinking line would be a good idea if you’re streamer fishing for trout below Indian Stream (Pittsburg), Hall Stream (Beecher Falls, VT) or the Nulhegan River (Bloomfield, VT).

Ice Out?  We’re not sure – it could be a couple more weeks for Back Lake, and then the dominoes will start to fall …

Our fly shop is open daily from 8 AM – 4 PM if you’re in the area and need something to restock your fly box. We’re on these limited hours until Thursday, May 7, when we reopen full time for the spring and summer season.

Please stop by when you’re in the neighborhood!