The fishing on the Connecticut River’s “Trophy Stretch” has been good for some (especially if you’re one of N.H. Guide Mickey Cunliffe’s clients), but difficult for others lately it seems. The river flow remains steady at 145 – 150 CFS in this section, as does the procession of anglers trying their luck.

Nymph rigs still seem to be the most effective method to get down to where the fish are, and the combinations are endless. The typical setup is a more heavily weighted nymph up front (i.e. BH Pheasant Tail, BH Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, BH Prince, etc.) with a lightly weighted nymph, wet fly, or attractor pattern tied off the hook of the first fly (i.e. any of the numerous Midge patterns, Hatching Pupa, Angus’s Red & Black, UV Olive Soft Hackle Glitter, San Juan Worm, Goomie Worm, etc.). Egg patterns are good too, and the suckers and chubs are spawning in the river right now, so Sucker Spawn is certainly worth a try.

Morgan Freeman: “It wasn’t the first time he had spent time in Mickey Cunliffe’s landing net … and the brown decided it was time to get busy living, or get busy dying …”
Don’t worry – he was released.

If none of this sounds good to you, try a Wooly Bugger with a trailer fly, fished in a nymphing technique and you could be on to something. Whatever you do, you want to get your flies down to the fish. They have been heavily pressured to this point in the season, so a well presented fly in their grill might be what separates you from your struggling fishing compadres …

There have been reports of good dry fly fishing in here as well, but only at certain times of the day it seems. There are brief stretches where a small Usual, Light Cahill or Elk Hair Caddis yields good results, and make sure you carry an assortment of Stimulators as well. Catching fish on top is always fun, and we’ve heard about some of our guests catching nice salmon on dries – that’s about as good as it gets.

The streamer game can be tough at this water flow, but still effective in the deeper pools and runs. Soft Hackle Streamers and larger rabbit strip style streamers (i.e. Sculpzilla) can still be very good here – just make sure your fly gets down to the fish …

It’s been a busy place, but there are definitely opportunities to get out there and enjoy your favorite pool or run – just wait a little while as other anglers move through and along. Whatever you do, keep your distance and maintain good relations with your neighbors … we’re all out there to enjoy some time on the water. No need for exasperation out there.

Back Lake Hex Hatch Update:

Not much to report. Still no hexes coming off, though we have two more hot and humid days coming. It’s got to happen sometime, doesn’t it? Last night was very frustrating – calm, still night after a hot day on the lake, but very few brown drakes were coming off, until almost dark (and there was a thunderstorm rolling in by then …). Rising activity on the lake was sporadic at best, as the fish seemed to be taking the occasional Black Caddis here and there. Let’s hope Mother Nature throws us a bone soon.