Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: May 17

More unsettled weather this week in northern New Hampshire, and none of it can really be considered “spring like” in any way. Chilly, frequently windy, and sometimes rainy has made for challenging conditions for anglers. While the water slowly warms to mid 40ish temperatures, it seems to have delayed bug hatching activity and has affected the fishing somewhat.

The Trophy Stretch flow has also started to trend lower (currently 390 CFS) than it was earlier this week, due in part to higher flows being run early on and the impending trout stocking of the Trophy Stretch by the Pittsburg Anglers Association (this Sunday, May 19). This section was stocked earlier this week by N.H. Fish & Game, but anglers are having a hard time finding these fish from reports that I’ve heard. They were stocked at nearly 1000 CFS and perhaps they are adjusting to the drop in river flow now. Hopefully the lowering of the water continues on in to next week, weather permitting.

The flow out of Murphy Dam at Lake Francis has also been steadily dropping from what it was earlier this week (1600+ CFS on Sunday to 775 CFS today). While that flow makes crossing this stretch of water impossible, it is a decent flow to try to find the resident browns and rainbows in this section. Wade carefully, and try to be patient … the fish are there but don’t show themselves readily to us anglers. Nymphs and streamers are your best bets in here, at least until warmer weather arrives and the abundant hatches start happening.

If the river fish simply aren’t cooperating when you’re up here, some of the still water options have been good as well. A number of our Tall Timber guests have done will trolling Back Lake today, and that should continue right through next weekend.

If you’re dragging a fly around, recommended patterns are the “usual” at this time of year: Mickey Finn, Magog Smelt, Golden Demon, Yellow Hornberg and the Gray Ghost are all good starting points. If hardware’s your choice, try a Super Duper, Colorado or Daredevil and you should have some action. Vary your depth if your current depth is not working, though most fish should be within several feet of the surface.

Several of the outer brook trout ponds have also been stocked recently, so Middle Pond, Moose Pond, Round Pond and Clarksville Pond should be on your list if you prefer squaretail.

The season has just started everyone and there’s plenty left to go …