I felt compelled to update this report today after yesterdays trip. We had one of our most productive days on the water this year yesterday. Cold temps up north have dropped water temps on the upper andro into the upper 60’s and the trout and salmon have responded in a big way. It looks like the long range trend is for cooler weather up north over the next few weeks so if you have been wondering when to book a trip now is the time. We have a few dates open through the end of August as well as dates in early September. While many people seem to want to wait for fall foliage to fish there is no reason not to fish right now. The bites last all day and the fish are taking advantage of cooler water than they have had in over a month. Here is what is going on with all of our fishing.
Small streams:
The small streams continue to fish well and we have been seeing good dry fly fishing with stimulator style dries and flying ants becoming more important over the past few days. Warm days will trigger flying ant swarms, this means great dry fly fishing even when it is warm out.
Ellis River:
The Ellis has slowed a bit but should turn on soon with cooler weather and wild brookies getting their feed on before the spawn. Cover water and fish dry droppers to find fish.
Saco River:
The Saco river continues to fish well in the mornings and evenings with hoppers, ants and beetles, BWO nymphs and dries and Golden Stoneflies just before dark. Be prepared for flying ants here as well. You will want to cary cinnamon and honey colored ants in size 16-22 the smaller male ants can also be a chocolate brown in color.
Androscoggin:
As stated above the andro is on fire right now. Cooler weather in the forecast for next weekend means a continued strong bite. Isonychia mayflies are getting more and more active and we are also seeing a smattering of BWO’s and tan Caddis around. If you like fishing dry flies but want the productivity of nymphs a bouyant parachute style Isonychia with a havey pheasant tail dropper is hard to beat right now.
I hope you are all getting out and hitting the water because now is the time! A few of our recent catches.
Chris with a hard fighting wild rainbow.
Michael Chalsen with a 4lb rainbow.
One of seven doubles to the net from Sunday August 18th.