Thanks For a great year!
2021 was another fantastic year here at HCG. We want to thank the many of you who chose to share the water with us in 2021. We enjoy sharing new water and experiences with customers new and old and this year we were able to really branch out and explore with many of you. We had a great end to our fall trout season with some very productive trout trips on the Androscoggin. Nymphing high protein flies like: yellow eggs, pink squirmy worms and olive mop flies was the ticket to big late season wild rainbows!
A fine wild bow that took a well placed squirmy worm while floating a fast channel. Angler Shawn Melanson getting it done!
Pike season in review:
The Pike bite was slow to start this fall due to warmer than normal water temps. Fortunately we were able to move most of our trips to prime dates with good conditions. Through keeping the faith and hard work almost all of our clients landed quality pike this fall. We have put a lot of time into chasing these large predators over the past few seasons. This year we were able to solidify many theories we’ve been working on, primarily that Pike eat in certain places at certain times. If you are there when they want to feed it is highly likely that you will catch them.
Angler Tom Rogan with a fine specimen that ate right at the boat!
Kevin Poitras landed his first ever pike this fall…now he is the one who is hooked!
With winter setting in over the past week most of our Pike waters are now frozen and we will be focused on fly tying and gear maintenance until the January 1st opener of general water trout season (all rivers and streams that close October 15th open January 1st). We look forward to chasing some alpha trout this winter and we will be guiding January- March when conditions allow.
Winter Trips
In winter trout metabolisms slow down but fish are more concentrated in winter holding water. Large fish that are nocturnal most of the year feed more often during the day in winter so average size of fish caught is larger during this time of the year. While trout can be caught in just about any weather conditions, we prefer warmer winter days to reduce line freeze and allow for better endurance when fishing. Basically any day near or above freezing with light to moderate winds is fair game. If you have cabin fever and see some milder days in the forecast don’t hesitate to give us a shout if you want to get out! Keep an eye out for our early January Report as well!
Gift Certificates:
Having a hard time deciding what to give or ask for this holiday season? Why not give the gift of quality time on the water in 2022! Our gift certificates are fast and easy to purchase and we will email you a personalized PDF gift certificate guaranteed to arrive well before the holidays!
2022 Trip pricing:
Another benefit of purchasing a gift certificate or trip for 2022 right now is that you will lock in to 2021 pricing. Prices for all trips will go up to the following prices starting January 1st 2022.
2022 Trip Prices:
Half Day Wade: $300
Full Day Wade: $450
Half Day Float $375
Full Day Float $500
From our family to yours we hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you all in 2022!
Ellis, Nate Vivian and Alicia Hill wishing you Happy Holidays!
Tight Lines,
Nate