RIVER FLOWS

Perhaps the most important indicator of potential fishing success or lack thereof may be river flows. We have three different dams, all of varying sizes on the upper Connecticut River, and the flows below each dam can also vary, depending on weather and lake level conditions.  Here’s my two cents on what flows mean below each dam.

Second Connecticut Lake Dam

The smallest of the three dams on the Connecticut Lakes, flows below Second Connecticut Lake dam are of key importance during the spring (chasing smelt) and fall (spawning) salmon runs that take place in Pittsburg each year.  The spring time run coincides with the melting winter snows, so flows can be quite high in the “No Kill” section, and while 200 CFS – 400 CFS is pretty common in May, flows can be much higher than that. As the river flow comes down and the water temperature rises, the spring salmon run may soon be at an end.

Flows drop to their lowest point in the summertime, and fishing for small brook trout and salmon can be undertaken in the deeper runs and pools, though finding suitable water may be difficult. Flows below 100 CFS are common in summer.

The river flow amps up again in late August / early September to adjust the levels of the Connecticut Lakes for lake trout spawning in late September / early October. The increased water flow draws salmon in from First Connecticut Lake up the river, also in anticipation of their own fall spawning activities. Flows can once again be over 200 CFS at this time of year, which leads to some exceptional salmon and brook trout fishing.

First Connecticut Lake Dam

Opinions vary widely on what the best flow for fishing is in the “Trophy Stretch”, and it really depends on who you are and what type of fishing you like the best. Flows can be high in the spring, once again due to the spring snow melt, but usually flows are at summer levels by Memorial Day weekend. Summer flows generally range from 150 – 200 CFS, depending on lake levels and weather patterns. A rainy summer, though not desirable, can mean flows up around the 200 CFS mark, while a drier summer usually means flows around 150 CFS or so.

As far as wading goes, there is no doubt that the river is more accessible when it is at 150 CFS, but fishing tends to be better (for me) when it is up around 200 CFS. The fish seem to be spread out at the higher flow, inhabiting both the pools and runs between. This tends to spread out the fishermen as well, so it’s a happier place in general. Higher flows also have the beneficial effect of drawing salmon from Lake Francis up river, and this takes place all season long.

Water temperatures in the Trophy Stretch can be optimal for trout, due to the bottom release dam at First Connecticut Lake, but the water can warm to negative levels for trout in an exceptionally hot summer. Please play your fish quickly and release them even faster if possible when its like this.

River flows can escalate in early fall as the First Lake drawdown is taking place – once again, this can mean great excitement for the salmon anglers in the fall.

Murphy Dam at Lake Francis

Coming from the depths of Lake Francis, the water coming out of Murphy Dam is the coldest consistently of all of the sections of the upper Connecticut River. While it can be exceptionally cold in the spring time (40’s are quite common), it rarely rises above 55 degrees in the dog days of summer. This means some very happy brown, rainbow and brook trout south of Murphy, and prolific caddis, stonefly and mayfly hatches as well.

Now, what’s the average river flow coming out of Murphy? Good question, as it generally fluctuates between 300 – 600 CFS depending on the season and what is being done with power generation at Moore Dam, far to the south of Pittsburg.

For the most part, springtime flows will be highest due to snow melt, so 800 CFS is not uncommon. Pretty tough to fish at that level, unless you have some heavy sinking line. As the snow melt ends, the flow will range from 300 – 500 CFS, depending on our weather and the lake level of Lake Francis, and this flow will last through most of summer. There may be a bump in river flow in the fall with the lowering of the lakes, but the width of the river below Murphy aids in disguising massive changes in the river conditions.

The best flow for wading below Murphy Dam is right around 300 CFS, but much like the Trophy Stretch, the best fishing conditions usually occur when the dam is releasing at a rate of 400 – 500 CFS. The fish are spread out and can be willing to feed heavily at this flow.

Whatever time you come up, be sure to practice safe wading and have a great time fishing the upper Connecticut River!