Fantastic weather in New Hampshire’s north country lately, just in time for enjoying some fall fishing. We’ve had some alternating river flows this weekend, but it looks like the river will have some steady flows this week.

That brown trout was caught and released by our guide Dave Poole on his day off – his compatriot Angus Boezeman took that nice picture of the release.

The Trophy Stretch was pretty low at 100 CFS for most of this week, but it got a boost up to 150 CFS on Friday, and this flow was maintained through this weekend. We are hopeful that this will be the river flow in the Trophy Stretch for the remainder of this fishing season, so we’ll see about that.

Below Murphy Dam, the flows wildly fluctuated this weekend due to some white water rescue training that was held Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  After the training subsided, the flow below Murphy Dam was dropped down to between 200 – 300 CFS, and once again we’re not sure how long that will last, but are hearing that it may be that flow all week.

While streamers (smelt patterns, Soft Hackle Streamers, Woolybuggers) and nymphs (BH Prince, BH Pheasant Tail, Egg patterns, San Juan Worms, Hatching Pupa, Soft Hackle PT, etc.) have been doing their usual good job on the trout and salmon, don’t forget about those midge patterns. As the season goes on, the insects are getting smaller and smaller, so we must adapt with the conditions, and the Serendipity has been a good pattern lately, especially when following behind another offering.

If you’re drifting the Connecticut River south of here soon, this has been productive as well, especially if you’re using Ant patterns. There is still the occasional grasshopper falling in to the river on windy days as well, so make sure you have a few of them before you sally forth.

On Back Lake, the fishing has been consistent lately, especially if you’re using a pattern that has some YELLOW in it. The Golden Demon (a good imitation of an October Caddis), Yellow Hornberg and Mickey Finn have been the best patterns when trolled slowly. We’ve had some beautiful evenings for dry fly fishing too, but unfortunately I’m looking at it from the picture windows in our front room, so I don’t know for sure what would be working. If I had to bet some money on it though, I would tie on a Challenged Pheasant Tail or a small Klinkhammer just in case …

Just a little over two weeks left in our fishing season (October 15th is the final day), so get up here to get your last shot at our colorful trout and salmon!