Highs and lows of flows

Lately we have had more high than low flows. Last weekend the flows were pretty good. I did some scouting trips to the Sugar and Contoocook Rivers and caught some fish. Last Monday I took my friend Richard on a trip to the Contoocook River to give him a few tips and here is the little video I put together of Richard with one of the fish he hooked.


The next day it rained and the river was blown out with near-flood-level flows until this weekend. I was pretty busy anyway. On Wednesday I testified at a public hearing about the potential consolidation of a number of NH state departments, including Fish and Game, Agriculture and Parks and Recreation. I guess the Concord Monitor liked one of the sound bites I generated.

Squannacook Prime conditions

I did a little scouting on the Squannacook in W. Groton and found it to be ideal. Flow level was about 150CFS and temp was 50F - both just about perfect. Loads of insects - stone flies, midges, caddis and what looked like a couple big March brown spinners. Only fooled one rainbow, though. And a few of the places that showed fish last week were empty. I suppose the hook-and-cook crowd has found success there. Well, the stocking trucks should be rolling again soon. (A sad but true commentary on our southern New England fishery.)

Fishing Jackpot in NH

Stan and I went on a scouting expedition to see how the Sugar and Contoocook Rivers were fishing. The low rainfall so far this spring has the rivers at great fishable levels. We found more stoneflies buzzing around than we could believe. The Contoocook had so many stone flies that it looked almost like a major caddis hatch. On the Sugar R. w e caught brookies and browns in a deep, clear pool that you can see here. When I get another free minute, I'll give you the "story behind the story."

The surest sign of spring

Some would say it is the robin. Others declare it upon the last dirty snowdrift disappearing. Opening day of baseball season is the surest sign of spring for the Red Sox faithful. For others, it is still the dead of winter until the stocking trucks roll. Notwithstanding the few dirty snowdrifts, I declare spring to be officially here. I took my granddog for a ride this afternoon to search for signs of spring and found it in Townsend on the Squannacook River. The Nissitissit River in Pepperell showed nothing but suckers at the Prescott Street bridge, but spring was in full bloom near the Dunkin' Donuts on route 13. Having slung a variety of woolly buggers at them, they voted the tungsten beadhead rootbeer color as their favorite. The chartreuse variety fooled a couple, but the rootbeer was the clear winner. Must have looked like a giant hatchery pellet.
The Squannacook was 46F and running about 250CFS, just a tad high for comfortable wading. The Nissitissit was 47F and running about 225CFS, a little high, also. Both should be in good shape for fishing this weekend.

Rivers look ready to fish

I just got back from taking a ride around the local rivers. The Squannacook near the Dunkin' Donuts on route 13 in Townsend was 46F and looked clear and fishable, but hasn't been stocked yet. The Nissitissit at the Prescott Street bridge was the same. USGS gauge says Squannacook is running at 304 CFS and Nissi at244 CFS. My local wild brook trout stream was 50F. Couldn't see any fish there either.
Also, the Pepperell FD was running some kind of water rescue drill with a number of cars, FD trucks and a couple red FD trailers full of gear. They must have been pretty cold, because they consumed some large Dunkin' Donuts coffees and left the cups laying around at the parking spot. I picked them up, but if you know any Pepperell firemen, you can let them know that among their ranks there are at least a couple idiot pigs.
Some of the local rivers should be stocked this week if we don't get flooded from the rain that is coming in the next few days. Be sure to bring a trash bag with you to pick up after the idiots out there who don't pick up after themselves.
Remember, we all live downstream.

Progress made in fight against Rock Snot!

Good news! Apparently, researchers have made progress against rock snot. <Article>
Anybody check out that picture? Nasty-lookin' stuff!!