Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: May 23

Abnormally awesome weather weekend in the north country didn’t materialize in to many trout for the Green Mountain Project Healing Waters veterans that we hosted. This brown trout was the exception – 20″ and very healthy and swimming the depths again today.

While there were a few fish caught here and there last weekend in Pittsburg, the general consensus seemed to be that the angling was slow. There were a few reasons for this.

The river flow at Magalloway Bridge was reduced to 86 CFS, which usually signals the beginning of the end of the salmon run out of First Connecticut Lake. I did hear of some salmon being caught, but it certainly was not like how it had been earlier in the week.

The Trophy Stretch was still flowing very high in to late last week, and if trout had been stocked in that stretch a week or two ago, we feel that the majority of those fish may have ended up as residents of Lake Francis. Yes the fishing at Lake Francis Inlet has been pretty good lately, but the Trophy Stretch had been spotty, at best.

Bright sunshine and trout fishing usually aren’t a recipe for great success either, so perhaps that had something to do with it too.

All of this sounds dire, doesn’t it – but buck up little trooper, there’s hope on the horizon, and good fishing days on the river are here again. Here’s why …

1. The Pittsburg Anglers Association had its annual stocking day on the Trophy Stretch on Sunday. The P.A.A. stocked over 500 quality browns and rainbows, and once these fish are acclimated to their new surroundings, the fishing should turn on once again. Please practice Catch & Release – they are great fish and should be enjoyed by multiple anglers.
2. The Trophy Stretch is currently flowing at 150 CFS, a perfect level for wading, and a good level for the trout and salmon to hold in the river. Word is that Great River Hydro will try hard to maintain this flow all season long, depending on the weather, and that’s good news for us.
3. The new river flow in the Trophy Stretch should encourage some trout and salmon migration up river from Lake Francis, which will only help the numbers of fish in the river.
4. Future stockings (over the next 5 weeks or so) by N.H. Fish & Game will not be negatively affected by river flows in this stretch.

In the “No Kill” Stretch between Second Connecticut Lake and First Connecticut Lake, anglers can expect some challenging, but rewarding, brook trout and salmon fishing. The fishing is secondary here, as the scenery is some of the best in New England. If you can’t appreciate that, that’s your loss …

Things should be cranking up below Murphy Dam at Lake Francis as well. The flow here was dropped to an easy wading 300 CFS (it was nearly 800 CFS a week ago) just yesterday, so more water will be accessible. The water temp is much colder below Murphy Dam than any other stretch, but that’s why the trout fishing stays consistent throughout the summer as well – bring an extra pair of socks!

Many of the outer brook trout ponds have been stocked and are yielding some fish here and there, so they are a great option if the river is getting too crowded. Good reports have surfaced lately from Moose Pond, Middle Pond, Round Pond, Coon Brook Bog and Big Brook Bog – put on something bright that will attract brookies and you should be okay. Brook trout fishing isn’t rocket science … And don’t forget to have a few Adams in varying sizes if they start to come to the surface.

Should be a great weekend ahead. Stop in at Tall Timber if you need some flies, tippet, leaders and maybe even some b.s. Oh, and we have coffee too …