If these are the “dog days of summer”, I wish we had many more of them, because the weather has been exceptional lately here in the north country of New Hampshire. That is one nice brook trout that our guest Chad Whitcomb caught and released on the Trophy Stretch last week – a beauty of a fish and don’t we wish that they were all that big! Thank you Mariah for that great picture.
As for the fishing …
The Trophy Stretch water temperature actually dropped last week a few degrees, down in to the mid 60’s, which is a welcome relief for the trout and salmon in this stretch. It had been recorded as high as 70 degrees nearly two weeks ago, so 65 is much better for our fish, and for our anglers. While nymphing has probably produced the best, stone fly patterns as well as caddis patterns have been doing some business out there as well. Think Stimulators and X Caddis if you’re fishing on top …
Conversely, water temps below Murphy Dam have risen a few degrees in the last week, which is welcome news. Now it’s 53 degrees, a big difference from the 49 degree bone chilling water we had down there a few weeks ago. These temperatures have kept the hatches, and the trout, very busy, and we witnessed good hatches of light colored may flies and caddis in the middle of the afternoon below the dam just a few days ago. These weren’t small flies either, they were size 12 and 14 we figured, so our guide Dave Poole (yes, he agreed to show me how it’s done) tied on an X Caddis and promptly caught a pretty little brown.
While many of the same patterns work in this stretch as the Trophy Stretch, it can be an unforgiving piece of water, particularly when the sun is high in the sky. There is little shade in this section, so the fishing is best here early on and late in the day (like just about every other place where trout call home).
We’re also just beginning our terrestrial season on the lower Connecticut River from Canaan, Vermont to below Columbia, NH. Hoppers, and Ants (especially Cinnamon Ants) can make for some exciting action down through here, and the only way to do it is via drift boat.
That’s where we can help you out a bit in booking a trip down the river with one of our guides, so give us a call if you’re interested in a leisurely day of catching trout on New England’s longest river …
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By: bs
Tom Caron dispenses advice, wisdom, and bs in the pursuit of trout and salmon daily for Tall Timber guests.
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See You at the Show!
Salmon Serenade
Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: 8/25
Connecticut River Flow Update: 8/12
A Glimmer of Hope
Bob
August 6, 2014 — 8:15 pm
Isn’t that a brown trout that Chad Witcomb caught and released (in the picture above)?
bs
August 6, 2014 — 8:53 pm
Hi Bob –
Chad’s fish is definitely a brook trout (light spots on a dark background), as opposed to a brown trout, which has dark spots (some of which are red) on a lighter background (usually a buttery brown color). Those are my thoughts anyway.
Ken wilson
August 12, 2014 — 11:51 am
The white stripes on the fins are a give away. Brookies have to be the prettiest fish there is – anywhere. We (mostly Karen) left a lot of them with sore lips the last two weeks. Good fishing everywhere.
Peter R Smith
August 31, 2014 — 2:17 am
I was fishing the Conn river in North Haverhill, NH 8-30-14, when just before dark, after the sun had gone down, flies started coming off the water. several landed on me, and quivered, etc, then flew off. These flies were a mayfly type fly, they have two tails, white, about 1 and a half times the body, and their bodies are clear, wings are light dun, size, about a standard 14. Do you know what these are, and could you please enlighten me?? Many thanks, PR Smith, Woodsville, NH
bs
August 31, 2014 — 1:25 pm
Hi Peter –
I don’t have the Thomas Ames book on me at the moment, but that should have the answer that you need. I have found it to be indispensable in trying to figure out what’s happening on the Connecticut River in our neighborhood – of course, it could be a bit different down in Woodsville and Haverhill.
If anyone else has any ideas, please contribute!!