It has definitely been way too long since our last report. We’ve been busier than ever guiding this spring. Over the past few days water temps have hit the magic 50 degree mark and our first spring Mayfly and Caddis hatches of the year are coming off now. If you’ve been waiting for ideal conditions to fish now is the time. With lower than average flows we have conditions more typical of June than mid-May. Here is what is go on right now.
Androscoggin River:
The Andro has been fishing well over the past week. Flows are at 1000 cfs in Errol and 1400 cfs in Gorham. These are ideal flows for nymphing and dry fly fishing, but on cloudy cooler days fish are still apt to crush streamers. We have been seeing mayfly hatches consisting of a mix of spring Iso’s, March browns, Red Quills and Hendricksons at around 9am and 2pm on most days, expect a spinner fall right around dusk. We’ve been doing well with compara duns in rusty grey, purple and reddish yellow in size 12-14. When the fish aren’t rising fishing a pheasant tail under a bobber or buoyant dry fly has worked well, as has swinging soft hackle mayflies and stones. I’ve done really well with a soft hackle Hendrickson nymph. On some stretches of river tan caddis have been dominating more than mayflies, here an X-caddis in size 14-18 will work well for risers and a flashback hares ear will do the trick for nymphs and pupae. On cooler days, when hatches are minimal streamers will do the trick. Bead head buggers in black, olive and brown are hard to beat for numbers of fish while larger streamers like Zoo Cougars, Circus Peanuts, Mr. Creepo’s and Dungeons will get your larger trout.
Client Kevin O’brien with an Andro Apha brown caught on a Mr. Creepo streamer.
Saco River:
Flows are currently around 200 cfs in Bartlett and 700 cfs in Conway. Expect daily flows to fluctuate with snowmelt coming off of the Presidential range. With a decent snowpack and warm weather this week I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Saco bump a bit. Granted flows will still remain well below average for this time of the year. Expect Grey Drake Mayfly hatches on warmer days to begin around 7am and 7 to 8:30 pm. If you plan to fish the evening hatch don’t give up until it is nearly dark. On some days the fish don’t start looking up until just past sunset. You’ll want to have a good assortment of rusty spinners and duns in your box in sizes 12-16. On cooler days yellow sally mayflies can be the predominant insect. I like a size 16 down wing dry with a swiss straw wing and dry fly hackle. I’ll often get more eats stripping this fly under the surface than dead drifting it as Yellow Sallies are one of the few stonefly species that emerge mid-river rather than off of stones. We’ll continue to keep our attention on the forecast as any decent rain storm will turn on the Saco for a good streamer float. Now is prime time for big browns to be hunting freshly stocked trout and when the water goes up we love to throw the dry fly rod aside in favor of casting trout sized flies.
Wild Brook Trout Waters:
It is definitely prime time on our wild brook trout waters. Expect daily mayfly and caddis hatches here as well. A good rain or cloudy day will also provide good opportunities to find bigger brookies on streamers. I like a small chickabou parr jig in tan. These waters are a great place to get away from crowds, just be sure to bring your bug spray!
Mountain Streams:
The mountain streams are still a few days away from prime time but the next few warm days could change that in a hurry. Bring your thermometer and plan to fish if you find temps breaking the magic 50 degree mark. If you aren’t finding fish drop down in elevation until you do. Fish tend to move from downstream to upstream at this time of the year and it isn’t uncommon to see fish migrating on warmer days. Small streamers like the classic baby brook trout or woods special as well as Elk Hair Caddis and attractor style dries should fit the bill on the mountain streams.
Looking forward:
While this spring has been on the dryer and cooler side things are now warming up and the lower flows combined with warming waters will provide some great dry fly opportunities. Temps look to moderate next week with some rain in the forecast. This will hopefully keep rivers at ideal levels and temps for productive spring fishing. Our guides are all nearly fully booked for this spring so be sure to contact us asap if you want to get out. We still have some good availability for July which is typically our best month for high catch rates. We look forward to seeing you on the water this year! Here is a taste of what we have found so far this spring. To see more content be sure to follow us on instagram @hillcountryguides.
Tight lines,
Nate
Brian wrangled this larger than average rainbow earlier this spring.