This picture, sent to me by our guest Chip Nyhan a few days ago, was from his fishing trip to Pittsburg on the last weekend of April. He managed to land and release a couple of nice trout with the help of his son Griffin and a well presented Gray Soft Hackle Streamer, when there was still good water flows below the dams. Unfortunately, conditions have changed a bit since then …

What has happened?

Long story short is that the lakes are filling slowly, mostly because of our lack of snowpack from this winter, and while the weather has been dreary lately, is hasn’t added up to enough rainfall to fill the Connecticut Lakes.

They’re low … so that means that the dam flows have been lowered to help fill them.

What does this mean to us as anglers?

Each of the lakes is flowing at about half of what they usually do at this time of year.

2nd Lake Dam – 140 CFS (normally 200+)

1st Lake Dam – 100 CFS (normally 150 – 200)

Murphy Dam – 200 CFS (normally 300 – 500)

Nice brown there Chip - did Griffin get to catch any??
Nice brown there Chip – did Griffin get to catch any??

The good news is that there are fish there. In addition to the natives, NH Fish & Game has also started their stocking schedule, so there’s fishing to be had … it could be challenging at these river flows however.

Nymphs: BH Pheasant Tail variations, BH Prince, Little Green Machine, Zebra Midge, Micro May, Egg Patterns, San Juan Worm, and any other Worm variations.

Dries: Blue Winged Olive variations, Midge variations, Adams

Streamers: Soft Hackle Streamers (Gray or White), Gray Ghost, Red Gray Ghost, Black Ghost, 9-3

For those wondering about the spring salmon run, nothing much to report yet. A salmon here and there if you work extra hard, but things haven’t clicked on yet from the scuttlebutt around town.

That could change any day however, and generally Mothers Day weekend is the one we target for good salmon fishing. The low river flow may have something to say about that however.

When it does happen, you’ll want a healthy supply of streamers, nymphs, BWO’s, Hendrickson’s and CDC Caddis in your box. And patience – salmon can be finicky.

PONDS

Middle Pond and Moose Pond, both only a ten minute drive from Tall Timber, have been stocked with brook trout, so bring a canoe, kayak or float tube and have at it. Remember that while Middle Pond is general rules, Moose Pond is fly fishing only. Not sure as of right now on the others, but updates will be forthcoming as info becomes available.

FINALLY …

If you need lodging or help planning your trip north (or south), give us a call at 1-800-835-6343 and we’ll help you out.

We have some great Last Minute Specials for lodging this weekend, so that early season fishing trip can be done on the cheap.

Also, our Rainbow Grille and Tavern begins serving the best meals and drinks in the north country on this Thursday night (May 5), so please stop in if you’re around.

The Red Sox are currently in first place, so take in the remnants of a game in our Tavern after getting off the water – who knows how long they’ll be in first!

As usual, Cindy’s well stocked fly selection in the Tall Timber Gift Shop has all of your needs for a successful weekend on the water.

Get out there … it’s on!