Lots of rain the last two days in Pittsburg, NH (and many other places in New England) brings us the three words that fishermen dread the most: “HIGH AND MUDDY”.
The rain certainly did not affect this beaver that harassed me today on the Connecticut River!
All is not lost however, there’s just not as much fishable water on the Connecticut River as we usually have. In fact, the river conditions and fishing have been quite good for some of our guests upstream of the major tributaries to the river in each stretch.
Below those tributaries though, and those three dirty words referenced above are a reality for us anglers. Let’s take a look at each section in detail.
No Kill Stretch (Second Conn. Lake to First Conn. Lake): Flow is 158 CFS.
Currently a good flow to fish for those native brook trout and salmon, particularly from the dam going south to the junctions with some of the major feeder streams to this stretch. Once Big Brook and Smith Brook make their contributions to the river in this stretch, there is quite a bit more water heading toward Magalloway Bridge. When I saw it down there today, it reminded me of what we see during the spring salmon run – 500 to 600 CFS, and muddy. Lots of BWO’s, a few Hendricksons, brown caddis, and even a few stones of varying colors were coming off there today. Soft hackle wets worked well on the brook trout today. Water temp was 58 degrees.
Trophy Stretch (first Conn. Lake to Lake Francis): Flow is 155 CFS.
Perfect flow for wading and the brook trout and rainbows have been active here in the last two weeks. There have even been some salmon working their way up from Lake Francis, and the pools on the lower Trophy were good last week for those targeting landlocks. However, it appears as though the rainbows and brookies have been preferring attractor patterns more than anything else: Eggs of all colors, San Juan Worms and Goomie Worms have been the ticket lately. Junction Pool north to the Dam is all fishable right now, as everything is blown out from Perry Stream down to Lake Francis. Water temp was 53 degrees today.
Lower Connecticut River (Murphy Dam and points south): Flow is 450 CFS.
This flow is a bit high, and crossing the river should be carefully considered at this level. Still a good flow of water for the fish though, so watch for the prolific caddis hatches that have been taking place daily over the last week or so. Soft hackle wets and properly presented caddis and stone fly patterns should work. This stretch usually fishes best early in the morning and in the evening, and the promise of a lunker brown or rainbow is ever present. Water temp is no higher than the Trophy, and could be a degree or two less.
Things really get wild below Indian Stream however – the gauge reads nearly 2000 CFS here, four times more than a normal flow in this area, and just gets worse as you go south. It’ll be a few days before drift boats ply the lower Connecticut River in search of trout …
All this means is that if we have some good weather, the river will resume it’s usual flow and pace, opening up all of our favorite haunts once again.
Be patient … it will happen.
-
By: bs
Tom Caron dispenses advice, wisdom, and bs in the pursuit of trout and salmon daily for Tall Timber guests.
-
-
See You at the Show!
Salmon Serenade
Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: 8/25
Connecticut River Flow Update: 8/12
A Glimmer of Hope
Newton Fisher
June 10, 2015 — 10:03 am
Tom, that’s a great update. Can’t wait to see you guys next week. My 10th stay at TT!
When high and muddy, I guess I’d target the banks with some nymphs or a WB. Fish have to eat and conserve energy at the same time. So, I suspect they’d be hugging the banks.
bs
June 10, 2015 — 12:54 pm
Good plan for targeting the banks, as fish are generally staying out of the flow. Hopefully the river comes down some in the next week before you get here!
Jay Hale
June 17, 2015 — 4:21 pm
Great call on the egg patterns! Nailed a bunch of fish below the first dam on some prior to Friday’s deluge and a few there after once it became on the only fishable water. Caught a nice landlocked on a size 14 olive pheasant tail on my last cast Sunday morning. Hope to be able to come up one more time before October 1.