Early days of June are usually good ones on the Upper Connecticut River in Pittsburg, NH, and this has generally been the case this week. Copious amounts of rain from Sunday through Tuesday brought the lake levels up, requiring slightly higher river flows out of the dams.
Though the flows are a bit higher out of Second Connecticut Lake Dam (raised from 88 CFS to 160 CFS) and Murphy Dam (raised from 300 CFS to 450 CFS), these are still good flows for fishing these stretches, just be careful wading.
The Trophy Stretch remains at a constant of 155 CFS, and looks to stay that way for a while to come.
As for the fishing in these stretches, there’s been some good brook trout and salmon fishing in the “No Kill” stretch between Second Lake and First Lake. Adams and CDC Caddis have been best on top, and a wide assortment of nymphs will work down low. Streamers will also be effective in the runs that allow such presentations.
The Trophy Stretch has continued to fish well this week, with lots of nymphs (San Juan Worms, Goomie Worms and Egg Patterns have proved deadly, but don’t forget those soft hackle wet flies as well) working best.
Mayfly and caddis hatches are increasing daily, as the water warms a bit, so soft hackles are becoming more effective now (soft hackle PT, Hatching Pupa, Partridge & Yellow, etc.).
If you’re coming up for the beautiful weather this weekend, the outer brook trout ponds could be great, especially early in the morning and in the evening. We have boats for Tall Timber guests at Round Pond, Big Brook Bog, Coon Brook Bog, and East Inlet.
OMR initially had a good morning going on the Androscoggin River south of Errol a couple of days ago, with his client landing several fish on nymphs, and many others missed on the beadhead Madonna.
But, just as the fishing gods giveth, they also taketh away … the flows were increased dramatically in response to the rain we had received, and poof went the fishing.
That’s how fishing on the big river can be some time! Stop in at Tall Timber Lodge when you’re up this weekend for more advice and B.S.
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By: bs
Tom Caron dispenses advice, wisdom, and bs in the pursuit of trout and salmon daily for Tall Timber guests.
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See You at the Show!
Salmon Serenade
Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: 8/25
Connecticut River Flow Update: 8/12
A Glimmer of Hope
Ted Bishop
June 9, 2015 — 6:50 pm
Tom,
On Sat night around 7:45 pm I noticed what looked like a green drake hatch going on the east side of Back Lake…near our camp. The were a fair amount of adults on the top but little action from the trout. I saw the same on Sunday evening about the same time..they were on our windows the next morning…precursor to the Hex!
bs
June 10, 2015 — 1:17 am
Hey Ted – yes, we’ve been seeing these drakes as well, and they are actually the yellow drake hatch (we’ve had them on the windows of the lodge this week). It won’t be long now – maybe another ten days or so until the hex hatch begins!
Steve Dwyer
June 9, 2015 — 7:13 pm
BS,
How ill the recent nearly two inches of rain (Sun-today) affect the rivers? Good? Bad? Ugggggly? Coming up Thursday, plan on picking up some sweet hex flies from TT.
bs
June 10, 2015 — 1:21 am
Steve –
I was in the No Kill stretch for a bit this afternoon, and while the river was slightly higher, it was clear where I was and 58 degrees. However, I then went down to Magalloway bridge and the river was high and muddy. Leads me to believe that the major tribs to this section (Big Brook, Coon Brook and Smith Brook) kicked in a significant amount of silt. I heard the same of the junction with Perry Stream and the Connecticut on the Trophy Stretch. Everything is totally blown out below the junction of Indian Stream and the Connecticut. If we don’t get any more rain, we should be okay for the weekend, but stay north of those junctions until then! See you this weekend.