Well it has been a while since I have posted a report. When I’m guiding every day it is hard to find keyboard time. After a very wet summer flows finally stabilized this September and we had some great fishing for all trout species. Over the last two weeks of the regular season we got into some very nice rainbows and browns. Now it’s onto focusing on extended season waters, like the lower Andro, and chasing Pike!
Rob with a fine brown trout caught October 15th.
Current Trout Conditions:
With the regular trout season closing on Oct 15th we are focused on fishing the extended season water on the lower Andro which is open year round for catch and release fishing. We were out on monday and the BWO hatch was in full swing. This is some of the most consistent dry fly fishing we see all year and it should continue into November, with warmer calmer days being the best. I’ll be out on foot today with my boy on my back chasing heads! Pre-hatch and post hatch we’ve been doing well throwing a variety of nymphs including pheasant tails, squirmy worms, mop flies, and eggs.. When bug activity is low we’ve also done well swinging and stripping black and grizzly buggers. If you want to get in some quality dry fly fishing before winter the next few weeks offer a great opportunity, don’t hesitate to give us a shout!
At 88 years young, Joe was crushing the big browns!
Pike Conditions:
With seasonably cool temps forecasted over the next few weeks the pike fishing should ramp up as they put on the feed bag in preparation for winter. Pike prefer cold water temps below 50 F. Typically cold nights followed by mild but not hot days are best with low pressure days being even better. With water levels on the pike stretches of the Connecticut on the low side, even a little rain shouldn’t throw the conditions off too much. It looks like we have seasonable temps over the next ten days which should set up consistent bite windows mid-morning and early afternoon as the sun rises and sets. Pike will be holding on drop offs and dying grass beds chasing perch, suckers, fallfish, and trout that move into the slower sections and edges of the river to winter over. We’ve caught pike on a variety of baitfish and trout patterns ranging in size from 5 to 12 inches. It really depends on what you are comfortable throwing but our Exocett Predator rods from Thomas and Thomas make the job a lot easier. We like Beuford style flies for when the fish are elevated in the water column and active while we do well with jig style streamers when the fish are sitting on bottom and more lethargic. Best activity revolves around times of slight not drastic temperature bumps as well as low pressure. Fish are less active during high water events, or times of water temps dropping during the day, as well as spikes in water temp over a 2-degree change. During these times we resort to smaller jig style streamers to force feed the pike. We look forward to showing you these amazing fish as we love watching people tighten up on a thrashing pike!
Kevin with a fine pike caught off a drop off during a late day bite window.
In Summary
While the general trout season is over there are still plenty of options to get out and fish here in NH. We can find fun fishing for trout and or pike on most days through late November. If you have any questions about late fall fishing feel free to drop us and email or give us a call!
Tight Lines,
Nate