Not Quite …

Yes, we still have some ice on Back Lake, but after the long cold winter that we had, we were kind of expecting this. It won’t be long now though, as the lake underwent a major metamorphosis this week. The deluge of rain that we received, along with our warm temperatures weakened the ice greatly. The ice went out on April 10 in 2010, but we’re probably looking at ice out in a week, tops, so plan on a May 6 or 7 opening for the 2011 season. The NH Fish & Game stocking truck was also spotted in town this week, so they’re also getting ready for the new season too. We’ll have boats in the water ready to chase those holdover browns, rainbows and brookies, and there is nothing quite like catching a holdover trout, one of the true “survivors”.

The river has been a different story. The valley from West Stewartstown, NH south has been under many feet of water the last few days, so our nice weekend ahead should help those conditions. Still, it will take a while to calm things down, so keep checking on the river flows before you make your trip north (or south!). The annual salmon run between the lakes will be starting soon, so we’ll keep an eye out for that as well. Streamers, nymphs, BWOs and in a couple of weeks, Hendricksons, will be the flies that get their attention – stop in at our fly shop if you’re missing an ingredient in your arsenal.

As always, we’re glad that spring is finally showing it’s face again and that it’s almost fishing season!