Here are some specifics as supplied by area guides and personal observation:

Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam Lake:

Lots of 2- year old salmon being taken using hardware, flies and live bait.  Bite is between 25-35 feet with morning being the prime time.  These younger salmon are running 15-18 inches and are in good shape.  Some reports of 3 year olds but they seem to be relatively scarce this year, as predicted by the net surveys last fall.  Anglers on Squam are having one of their better years with quantity of fish and the occasional 4-5 year old salmon is enoufgh to keep anglers interested.  Winni is also producing lake trout in the 18-22 inch class along with what appears to be freshly stocked rainbows mixed in with some very nice looking 2 and 3 year olds.  Reports of ‘bows to 22 inches and 4 lbs. is not uncommon.

Lakes Region Streams:

All the area streams have been stocked multiple times but water levels seem to be dropping quite rapidly  resulting in rising temps.  Anglers should use their judgement if water temps approach the upper 60′s and limit fishing to dusk and dawn.  Lower stretches of the Pemi (Bristol) are producing rainbows and smallmouth bass.  No recent reports from the Newfound River but if you find moving water you should do fine.  Area streams/rivers in Sandwich Notch area are all producing trout.  The farther you get fromt he road the better the chance you’ll have, especially if you are looking to catch a “native” brook trout.

Similar Reports are coming in from the North Coway/Mt. Washington Valley area.  If you hit the Saco at first and last light you might land one of the big browns that the area club has stocked.  And if you’re in that area stop by North Country Angler where they certainly will give you specifics on where and what to use.

North Country:

As mentioned the Alder fly hatch has peaked but there are still some bugs around inthe Errol area.  This is all about flow and dam release so check the releases before you head up.  Lots of reports of fish being caught, only problem for a trout angler might be that many are smallmouth bass.

Over in Pittsburg the Connecticut is fishing very well.  Not only are there plenty of fish but there are plenty fo fishermen.  Practice some ethics and be patient.  Remember that these are public waters to be enjoyed by all.  Rotate through pools and if you want some privacy be prepared to hike in a bit farther than normal.  While your up there don’t neglect the smaller streams that see less pressure.  They are also stocked and the fishng can be outstanding.

Get out and enjoy the outdoors and if you need advice or a guide give a call.

The big lakes are producing lots of 2 year old salmon.  Streamers and hardware (small spoons) are productive.  There is a missing year class and it can’t be emphasized enough that in order for this fishery to survive you must show some ethics out there.  Hook wounding is a major issue with nearly 40% of Lake Winnipesaukee salmon that were surveyed are showing wounding.  You can’t just continue to catch and release salmon after salmon and think that there will be no effect on the fishery.  In fact it would be less harmful if anglers kept their daily limit of two fish and then stopped fishing rather than catching and releasing double digit quantities.  Yes it is time to limit your catch and release.

Pick of the week: how about a trip into one of those mountain ponds or streams?  You’ll be surprised at how well they fish this time of year and you can’t beat the solitude of getting off the beaten path.

With the cold now here ice fishing has started to heat up with initial reports of crappie and perch to be quite positive.  On those trout lakes that allow ice anglers the early season has been very good.  Strong caution to those venturing out for the first time this year, be sure to check the ice conditions.

What’s new for 2011 you ask?  We will be doing some shows and seminars on everything outdoors, from fly tying to choosing optics for your rifles.  We’ll be doing our annual seminars at Cabela’s in Scarborough,ME as well as at the Kittery Trading Post.  Fly tying demonstrations and classes will be conducted in Holderness and I will be at various fly fishing shows as well.  Look for us at Bass Pro Shops in April before we head out to Montana for the annual Simms Ice Out Event.

In between all these events I will be putting the final touches on a book that is due out this spring.

We’ve also added some new equipment for 2011, most notably a pontoon cataraft for drifting the bigger rivers.  This craft, which is lighter and more maneuverable than a drift boat, will allow us to access more waters this year.  With a draft of only several inches it will be perfect for the often skinny waters of the lower Andro or even the Pemi.  We’ve also added plenty of new rods and reels to go along with waders and float tubes.  All in all we will have an impressive arsenal of equipment for our clients this year.  So let’s hope that we have an early spring!

News from North of the Border

We just returned from the Atlantic Salmon Classic on the Miramichi in New Brunswick and we saw first hand what warm temps can do to a fishery. With impressive runs of salmon in the river the Classic was shaping up to be the best ever. Then the hot temperatures hit and shut down the fishery. The river temps soared to over 80 degrees and even the tributaries provided only limited relief as they were in the high 70′s. The salmon were stacked in deep pools and with the large numbers of fish that even posed a problem as oxygen depletion began to take its toll. Needless to say any hookups would put stress on the larger fish and a most certain death. Last count on the Classic showed a mere 3 fish (all grilse) caught and released. Hopefully cooler temps and rain will return.

New Hampshire Report

Lakes

Here in NH it is definitely the “dog days”. Reports from the Lakes Region show that salmon fishing is very slow with only limited action at first and last light. The thermocline is set and small spoons dragged behind blades are producing an occasional 3-year old slamon. There seem to be plenty of new stocked fish being caught and once again we urge anglers to be careful with these 8-10 inch fish as they are the ones most susceptible to hook wounding. Lake trout fishing is producing fish up to 22 inches. Sutton spoons fished just below the thermocline is most productive.

Trivia Question: What are those “things” that are attached to the lake trout near the dorsal fins? Lice? Parasites? They are the larvae of the fresh water mussel. They do no damage to the host fish. They will grow and then fall off the fish by summer’s end.

Rivers and Streams

Head north for the best opportunity at catching trout. The rivers in the Lakes Region are pushing the 80 degree mark and the trout are hunkered down waitng for cooler temps. Water levels are low and with only limited rain in the forecast it may be a while before any real positive fishing returns.

Up north the Androscoggin is producing in Errol. Fish the fast water at low light with large caddis. There are also some reports of trout being taken below Gorham in the Shelburne area.

In Pittsburg the Connecticut River is producing fair numbers of trout but expect company as this is one of the few areas that can boast cool water temps. When the rains come this fishery will really pick up.

Ponds

Some of the more remote, higher elevation, ponds are producing fish at first and last light. The evening hatches seem to have the most productive fishing. Some mid morning reports of success with sinking lines and slow retrieved woolly buggers and nymphs.

Remember this could all change with a bit of rain and a drop in temperature.