The summer heat is on and the fishing is showing the effects of warm temperatures.

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.