It has been a great season so far here in the Whites. Last week I had the pleasure of guiding my father and brother for our annual day on the water. Last year dad landed the biggest fish so he was gung ho to repeat that feat. He told my brother, "Okay today it doesn't matter who catches the most fish, the winner is the one who catches the biggest fish." After my brother landed this solid brown trout my dad got a little worried.
"Okay the winner is the one who catches the biggest fish of the most species...so if you catch the biggest brook and rainbow trout I win." My dad did get a couple good browns but none that matched Jordan's fish.
In the afternoon the sun came out and so we moved to some smaller streams. We started off with some smaller wild brook trout and then dad missed some bigger brookies and rainbows in a larger pool. Finally landing a small rainbow and brook 8" brook trout he was ahead in those categories and made sure we knew about it. Of course Jordan quickly caught a bigger brook trout and rainbow to shut dad up. Dad wanted to keep fishing but Jordan said he was ready for dinner...quitting while he was ahead.
As of late the fishing been challenging. My brother and father made it count when the fish struck landing 4 out of 5 browns that cautiously ate their flies. The best fishing has been early and late in the day when the sun is off the water. Clouds during mid-day have provided decent action as well. With sunny bright conditions your best bet is to micro nymph some of the smaller streams. Takes have been very light with small indicators or high stick nymphing techniques being crucial to success. With cloud cover terrestrial patterns have been taking fish. Fishing tight to boulders and in the head of bigger pools is the key to finding success with these flies.
A small stream brown taken on a beetle pattern cast to the edge of an undercut boulder.
The good news is that there are plenty of fish around. The wild rainbow trout populations seem to be doing well this year and when we get some rain fishing should improve dramatically. I spent the last two days floating the Andro and noticed that green caddis and Isonychia hatches are already starting. These fall hatches should continue to improve heading towards September. On the Saco there are plenty of brown trout around if you can find the deeper pools and colder water. Again with any rain we will see fish activity increase.
Wild rainbows like this have been common in the small streams this season.
Typically August is a big transitional month. Long days get shorter and temps cool towards the latter half of the month. We should start seeing more flying ants as the month presses on. As waters cool more isonychia, BWO and October caddis will activate. If you are looking to book a trip for August let us know asap as dates are limited. September and October dates are available, please book in advance as these are two of our most popular months.
Tight Lines,
Nate