It has been far too long since I have written a report. I’ve been busy working full time at Attitash ski resort this winter, and spending time with the family. This has left little time to hit the water, but as things warm into spring I’m looking forward to getting back out and updating you all on the fishing.
Arkansas Trip Postponed to 2024:
While we were hoping to run a hosted trip to the White River in Arkansas this spring, we had too many schedule conflicts arise to make the trip happen. We have bumped this trip to spring 2024 and plan to stay at Copper John’s resort and partner with Flies and Guides fly shop. We are booking dates from March 15th through April 6th 2024. If you are interested in booking please let us know asap so that we can plan accordingly. We will take deposits once we have confirmed enough bookings to run the trip!
Current Conditions:
A few of our guides got out in early January and capitalized on some of the milder weather, getting into some nice brown trout. We have a decent snowpack as of this writing, and the long-range forecast is showing a snowy March. If this holds true, we could be in for a more normal spring snowmelt than what we have seen in the past few years. This would mean a slower start to spring hatches but hopefully a longer stretch of high water for throwing streamers to Alph brown and rainbow trout.
Looking Forward:
The higher water years produce more big fish as higher flows provide them with a higher caloric intake. Even just a few months of heavier feeding can result in larger fish throughout the season as trout put on the bulk of their weight gain during prime time feeding months.
Our freestone rivers like the Saco may become unfishable in April with spring run-off but should hold water through May to allow for streamer floats before the summer crowds arrive. Higher spring flows in lakes region tributaries should result in more lake run rainbows and salmon for a longer period of time. Say April Through mid-May vs. low flow years when we only get a couple weeks of lake run fishing.
Cleint Kevin Obrien displays a large spring time brown trout!
The Connecticut and Androscoggin rivers could see a slower start to fishable flows with snowmelt lasting through mid-May but should fish well as they drop with more drop down salmon and brook trout on the Andro as well as chunky bows and browns eagerly taking advantage of dropping water on the Connecticut.
Before snowmelt starts in earnest we may have a window of pre-snowmelt fishing on the bigger rivers. This hinges on colder overnight temps with moderate daytime temps in the 40’s. Which allows for enough warmth to break up ice, but not so much warmth to cause snowmelt to drop water temps and PH levels. Fortunately, when our northern rivers enter snowmelt our southern lake run tributaries usually see an influx of salmon and rainbow trout as these lower elevation streams warm faster and the bump in spring flows triggers sucker migrations with rainbows and salmon close behind.
Bugs and Brews!
We will keep you posted in the coming weeks as spring conditions begin to unfold. If you are looking to get ready for the spring season check out Bugs and Brews @ledgebrew (Ledge Brewing Company) in Intervale NH. I will be their featured fly tyer on Monday March 13th and I’ll be tying one of my most deadly brown trout flies! If you’ve fished with me over the years you might recognize this signature “bug”. Bring your own vise, scissors and thread and you can purchase the materials for a small fee at the event! I look forward to seeing you there!
Spring and Summer Bookings going fast!
Our prime-time dates are going fast for May and June 2023. If you are looking to get on our calendar now is the time to reach out! If you can’t get on our calendar for May and June, we have more dates open in July and we typically have great wade and float options in this month as well!
We look forward to fishing with you in 2023! Have a great rest of your winter and start thinking fish!
Tight Lines,
Nate