Fly Fishing NH's Connecticut Lakes Region

Category: Winter Fishing

Catching Up

It’s the depths of winter in northern New Hampshire. Frigid cold has been the norm for the last two weeks up here, and the snow is beginning to fall more regularly now. No fishing for me lately, as its been better weather for getting out to snowshoe with my pack, but there have been a few hardy souls angling when the conditions have been marginal. It’s been tough from most reports, but every now and then a lunker reminds you that it is there and remains there after your brief encounter (image courtesy Mickey Cunliffe).

Anticipation

Much like that old Heinz 57 ketchup commercial (I realize I’m dating myself with this reference, but if you’re a child of the late sixties or seventies, you might remember this particular ad campaign), it’s only a matter of hours before the goodness in the bottle finally drips out to start the new fishing season on the Connecticut River on January 1. There’s a few of us up here that have been waiting anxiously, really ever since the waning of daylight that closed the season back on October 15.

February Fish

I like winter fishing. The solitude is one great aspect of it for sure, as you’re probably not going to run in to too many other anglers out on the water. The ones you do make contact with are probably hearty souls, much like yourself – just getting out for a few hours respite from day to day life. Actually catching a fish is a bonus, and hopefully my brown trout from the other day was a glimpse of what is to come this spring.

Winter Water

It’s what we’re all looking for at this time of year, at least those of us that have already succumbed to the river’s calling. Yes, the fishing season on New Hampshire’s rivers has opened, and that means that the Connecticut River is once again open for business for us anglers. Even better yet, it’s catch and release (barbless hooks, artificial lures) from Murphy Dam going south to Canaan, Vermont for the next three months, so we can “educate” the fish for a little while prior to April 1.

Quarantine on the Connecticut

I found a couple of hours respite yesterday from the craziness currently taking place locally and across the globe. Yes, I’m lucky that the Connecticut River is locally available for fishing and exploration to me during this never-ending period of “social distancing” that we’re all going through.

Springing Into Action?

Apologies for a slothful winter of blog writing, friends. The excuses are long and might not be believable, but they were all unfortunately true. A reservation system failure, numerous website updates, and the rigors of the winter snowmobile business led to a lack of play time on the river.

Ok, ok – enough with the b.s. … what’s been happening, you might ask?