Friday Fatty: 7/5

This one was from a few weeks ago on the Connecticut River – another beauty of a brown, caught and released by our Angus Boezeman, and further evidence of the application of a switch rod on the good ole Connecticut.

The fishing lately can be summed up in one word: interesting.

The repetitively rainy weather pattern that we’ve had recently (seems like the last six weeks have been like Groundhog Day) has led to wildly fluctuating river flows and water temperatures, sometimes in the same day.  Looks like we have a few good days coming, so the flows shouldn’t change too much.

Trophy Stretch – 144 CFS . Flow is stable here, and currently, this is the true flow for this section, as water from First Connecticut Lake is no longer coming over the boards. Lots of brookies, salmon and rainbows in here, and all of the usual fly patterns seem to be working.

Magalloway Stretch – 280 CFS. This flow is a bit high for this section, but there have still been a number of salmon and brookies caught and released here. Stonefly patterns of all sizes and colors are the best patterns for this wild fishery.

Below Murphy Dam – 380 CFS. This section has seen some of the biggest fluctuations in flow and temperature lately, due in part to the excess lake runoff coming from the spillway below the dam. This means that this stretch has more flow downstream that the 380 CFS suggests, and the spillway is actually contributing surface temperature lake water to the river below Murphy Dam.  On Monday, when the flow out of the dam was at a whopping 815 CFS, the water temp was 48 degrees, but as of last night the temp had risen to 65 degrees in this stretch, thanks to the addition of the warmer spillway water. Fish are still biting here though, so it is still certainly worthy of your attention.

Recommended Patterns: Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, Klinkhammer, Usual, Jailbird, BH Prince, BH Pheasant Tail, Hatching Pupa, Soft Hackle PT, Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, Hare’s Ear Soft Hackle, Goomie Worm, San Juan Worm, Egg / Spawn Patterns, Soft Hackle Streamers (all colors), Woolybuggers (olive seems to be working best). 

Back Lake – the Hex Hatch continues to march on, but with all of this warm weather we’re currently having, we’re wondering just how long it will last.  Things started a bit late this year, so maybe it will last a little longer too. All of the usual hex patterns have been working, with the Hex Usual as my favorite, and CIndy seems to like the Mark’s Hex Emerger best.

Get up here before it’s over for another 11 and one half months!