Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: 8/3

Some time on the Connecticut River in northern New Hampshire this week, exploring new water as well as some of the old “haunts”. Some sessions were productive and some were not – that’s the way it goes when you’re checking out new areas or spots that you really haven’t fished enough to know where the fish should be.

This is why it’s called “fishing” and not “catching”. The name of the game is to keep fishing, trying different fly patterns and methods … don’t give up. Go through your fly boxes and tie on something that you haven’t tried in a while … because the trout and salmon have seen it all by now, and they might not be willing to take the same Elk Hair Caddis that they just saw from the last five anglers that went through the pool.

Switch it up but always have a plan in mind when you get to the river. Take a look at each run and try to figure out where the fish should be and cast to those areas first. And remember that your first cast or two is the most important when you start fishing an area – that’s likely when you’ll get a strike and it’s best to be prepared for it. You might not get another chance …

As for the fishing, it seems to have been tough for some and better for others out on the Trophy Stretch this week. The river flows out of each of the dams remain stable – 113 CFS out of Second Connecticut, 143 CFS out of First Connecticut, and 300 CFS out of Murphy Dam. We’ve had a few shots of rain lately, but nothing out of the ordinary. That rain helps keep everything fresh, so hopefully it keeps coming every now and then.

As usual, nymphing has probably been the best approach, but we’ve heard some good top water stories from anglers of the dry fly persuasion as well. Sulphurs, various caddis patterns, and Stimulators are all good options right now and don’t forget your small BWO patterns – we’ve had our fair share of cloudy and sometimes drizzly weather lately, which signals a BWO hatch may be on the way.

This is also the time of year when Terrestrials can be good as well, so hopper and ant patterns are a great option. There’s just something about watching a big foam Hopper getting hammered by a hungry trout …

The clients of drift boat guides down the Connecticut River south of Pittsburg have been doing well lately, primarily on top. Once again, terrestrials have been a good option, but there’s also been a multitude of other patterns, some of which are of the size 22 – 24 variety.   The fish have been active at all times of the day, but take it from me that stealthy approaches and delicate presentations are best if possible. A sloppy cast or loud noise carelessly made in the drift boat often results in a premature end to eagerly feeding fish.

Of course, streamer guys are getting some action too, with the proper manipulation of the fly (make it look like a fish, people!), and don’t forget to keep changing patterns and colors, drifts and strip rates when streamer fishing. Change it up …