In Appreciation …

I’m not big on endings, and never have been. The finality of an ending is something that my personality has a hard time dealing with, so I prefer the French saying, “à bientôt” much more – “see you soon”, when dealing with friends, family, dogs, etc. I’m not sure when I’ll see you, but someday I will. Sadly, yesterday we bid “au revoir” to the New Hampshire trout fishing season, but in two and a half months, the 2023 fishing season will open, and we’ll be back at it again.

As has been the case for the last several closing days of the season, the weather yesterday was spectacular for enjoying the river. A chilly, foggy start quickly led to a crisply (if you were in the shadows) sunny and eventually warm day – the sunshine penetrating clothing and waders to warm us to the core. The flow was relatively high but dropping below the major tributaries of the Connecticut River, as the good weather reduced the effect of the 1.5 – 2″ of rain that we received on Thursday and Friday morning.

The higher-than-average flow may have scared a few people off the river, as it seemed to be a bit quiet out there for the last day to get on the water. “More for us” was our approach yesterday, and NH Fishing Guides and friends Chuck Degray and Mickey Cunliffe joined me in pursuing trout and salmon one last time in 2022. We have managed to get out on the final day the last 3-4 years, and it seems as though the weather has been picture perfect for each of these excursions.

For Chuck and Mickey, the final day of the season is a chance to have fun and fish the water that they have been guiding on for the last five and a half months. To say that they have it “dialed in” is an understatement – not only do they know what flies to use, but they seem to know where most of the fish are lying in wait in the various pools and runs, and what approach will likely work. They ‘re both excellent casters and anglers too, which makes it daunting for me to say the least, and I would have given up a long time ago if my ego wasn’t in check.

Most years, I schedule a day off from my grouse and woodcock guiding duties on October 15. Not only is it a chance to go fishing with the guys again, but it is a much needed break from the woods for a day for myself and the dogs after a couple weeks straight chasing birds over hill and dale. Not the case this year, as I had to suspend my guiding operation for a few weeks to address a health problem that popped up unexpectedly. Thankfully, the issue was handled earlier this week, and I felt well enough to get to the river for the final day.

The final fishing excursion of the year was fruitful for Chuck and Mickey, as they landed a bundle of nice salmon and a few rainbow trout for good measure. It was more of a struggle for myself, as I landed one nice salmon and lost another larger one. We were joined by chance by our fishing friend Karl, and it was great spending some time with him fishing on a beautiful day by the river’s edge. Taking turns in the preferred runs, we soaked up the sun and shared a few laughs, enjoying every moment of the season’s last day.

Some of the fish were taken on nymphs, but most were taken by dead drifting tandem streamer / soft hackle wet fly rigs on a sink tip. Sometimes the salmon were on the streamer, and other times on the soft hackle, but they seemed to prefer the slower speed of the flies in the high water. The salmon will be spawning soon, rapidly approaching the time when they focus less on feeding and more on breeding, so they can be picky near the end of the fishing season.

As always, it was great getting out again with everyone, but it was a little sweeter for me this year after my recent health scare. Perspective was gained, I guess, and an appreciation for friends, the river, and the fish that we angle for, among many other things. My grouse guiding season begins in a couple of days, but I’m looking forward to January 1 already …