Upper Connecticut River Fishing Update: 9/29

Yes, it’s been many moons (even a blood moon) since we last blogged about the angling here on the Upper Connecticut River. I would love to regale you with excuses (i.e. taking “the stroll” down the aisle, getting the dogs ready for the upcoming grouse hunting season, etc.), but I know that you’re fishermen (and women), and no excuse will do.

While the recent stretch of beautiful weather that we’ve had over the past month has been wonderful for the soul, it has not been especially conducive for finding our fishy friends. They simply don’t like bright, sunny weather, and the water temperatures in the Connecticut River and on Back Lake have been abnormally high for this time of year.

The fishing, in short, has been tough on the Trophy Stretch for at least the last week, due in part to all of that nice weather as well as higher than normal fishing pressure on many of the high traffic pools. Even the lesser known spots have been getting pounded on the Trophy Stretch – perhaps the better play is to fish the other stretches and areas that haven’t been getting as much pressure.

It is currently pouring like cats and dogs (yes, as I write this!), with possibly over two inches coming over night and in to tomorrow. This has already changed some of the river flows (Second Lake is now 150 CFS, up from 120 CFS, and First Lake Dam will be up to 300 CFS tomorrow, up from 210 CFS yesterday), which should change some water temperatures in these sections.  This fresh charge of water could bring some of the larger lake fish up the stretches of the Connecticut River.

Our weather is also changing, as a cold front will follow all of the rain – we will have lows in the 30’s and 40’s to highs in the mid 50’s – that should help get the fish going too.

Old Man River had a particularly great drift on the Androscoggin River yesterday, and the culprit was the Little Green Machine, trailing a Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail. Jon’s client caught at least 20 trout, and missed quite a few others.  Fall is also a great time for streamers and BWO’s – the weather this weekend should be perfect for either!