Upper Connecticut River Fishing Report: 6/8

What a difference a week makes! From 85 – 90 degree, sunny and dry conditions last week to rainy and cold conditions this week, it’s done a complete 180 in fishing conditions for anglers. The fishing, especially on the Connecticut River, has been pretty good however, despite the change in the weather.

While the rainy and cold weather has undoubtedly put off some of the dry fly hatches that were happening during last week’s summery weather, the fish have still remained very active, particularly on subsurface presentations. Nymphs and some streamers have been doing well, but anglers seem to have their dry flies at the ready just in case some top water activity starts happening. There are some landlocked salmon that have been making their way in to the Trophy Stretch from Lake Francis (pictured above), and a jolt of rain would help bring more of them upriver.

The poor weather has also probably helped keep a few anglers off the water compared to the hordes that were out there last week. No change in the flows out of the dams however, and it appears as though there hasn’t even been a change below junctions with major tribs, indicating just how dry the woods were up here prior to the last few days. Looks like we have better conditions on the way for this weekend, but some showers will be around for at least some of next week …

The fishing has also been consistent on Back Lake, with some of our guests that are trolling with lures and spoons doing quite well, but even then, we haven’t had great conditions for being in a boat out on a lake. We’ve had a lot of wind, all spring it seems, which has made fishing out there a bit of a challenge. Mostly browns and rainbows lately, and some have been on the larger side. Of course, we’re all looking forward to the Hexagenia hatch, which should be happening in 2-3 weeks, and hopefully the weather gets more pleasant for that time of the summer.

We have not heard many reports from our guests on the outer brook trout ponds lately, and we have rowboats out at several of the ponds for our guests to use for free. Terrell Dam, East Inlet, Coon Brook Bog and Round Pond all have boats, and this is usually a great time to cast a line on any of them.

Recommended Flies (river):

Dries: Elk Hair Caddis, BWO, X-Caddis, Klinkhammer, Ninch’s Iceberg Caddis, Cornfed Caddis, Light Cahill, Sulphurs, Hot Mess Caddis

Nymphs: Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, Prince, Caddis Pupa, Perdigon, DP Heron, Zebra Midge, San Juan Worm, Goomie Worm, Eggs, Mop Fly, Purple Lightning, Hatching Pupa, UV Glitter Soft Hackle, Angus’s Red & Black, Gill Nymph, UV Midge, Slim Jim, French Lick, Soft Hackle Thorax Tan, Jailbird, Glass Bead Caddis, Partridge & Yellow

Streamers: Chuck’s Soft Hackle Streamers (assorted colors), Black Ghost, Muddler, Sculpzilla