Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: 6/27

The Connecticut River flows unabated here in northern New Hampshire. We’ve had our share of rain over the last month, and it looks like we’ve got more coming next week – still, the high flow can be beneficial, especially when you’re trying to catch a hefty landlocked salmon.

That salmon was caught and released in the Trophy Stretch on a Gray Soft Hackle Streamer, and the flow (today at 338 CFS in the Trophy Stretch) is not for the faint of heart.

Crossing the river right now is not recommended, unless you have extensive knowledge of good spots to make your journey. Safety should be the number one priority.

Streamers (soft hackles of all colors) and nymphs (beadheads, caddis emergers, and soft hackle wets) that are heavily weighted are the recommended plans of attack right now.

Try not to go bumbling in to the river when you get to it either – many times when the water is this high, the trout and salmon are on the edges trying to take a break from the heavy flow.

Ease your way in to the water and fish thoroughly and look for the best lies for resting fish.

We’re expected to get some heavy rain tonight, so there will be no let up in the river flows coming up this week.

Back Lake Hex Hatch Update

The hatch has been pretty good the last couple of nights, with quite a few trout and bass partaking in the cornucopia of hexagenia.  We look for this feast to continue for a couple of weeks, as the cool weather may prolong the hatch – just my opinion.

Other Observations:

• Best emerger patterns have been the Woodduck Heron, Sparrow (Tan), and the Emma Nymph can also be fished this way, in the typical “cast and strip” technique.
• Emergers have worked best until the light levels get truly dark. In other words, switch to a dun pattern around 8:45 PM and stick with it for the duration of your time out there.
• Last night, particularly large dun patterns were drawing the attention of fish – look at the size of the duns on the water’s surface (they’re huge!!) and try to replicate it.
• There are many dun patterns that can be used during the hex hatch – try not to be wedded to one. Switch it up if they aren’t looking or aren’t taking your offering.
• A pattern that works one night might not work the next night, etc., etc.
• It’s a big lake – no need to crowd anyone out there. If I can cast in to your boat as you’re trolling by, you’re way too close. Expect a hook in the nose …
• If you’re releasing your fish, please practice sound catch and release techniques. Play them quickly, handle them as little as possible or better yet, not at all. The surface temp is significantly warmer than the deeper water, so revive your fish prior to release.