This month has seen a lot of rain, and flows in Gorham, NH have ranged from 1,600 cfs earlier in the month, to 10,000 cfs last week. Things settled to around 8k on Friday and we gave it a go. Though still off color, we were able to find some fish, 16 to be exact, plus a few more that got sore lips. The tribs were running clear, and we were able to find fish in some of the softer lies- ones that don’t even exist under normal flows. Father and son, Tim and Carl, had a lot of fun, and it was the first time the latter had ever held a fly rod, but by the end of the day he was casting like a pro. I see a fly rod purchase in his future.

As usual for this month, as soon as it starts to get good, we get another pounding of rain. I had to postpone a trip for a client this week for the 3rd week in a row! I keep promising thing will get better if he can just hold out. Good news is that all the rain should keep the river temps lower for longer (68 on Friday), and extend the season some.

Here are some of the highlights from Friday

the coveted ‘baby hold’

Always a pleasure to help someone get their first fish on a fly

Not the best conditions, but still able to catch some fish. I have booking trips, but have also been cancelling/postponing trips every week it seem. Frustrating, as the last 2 weeks of June are typically the best. I hope things calm down after tomorrow….

Streamers and nymphs are still best. Don’t be afraid to go big, use dirty rigs, etc. Sink tip lines are a necessity, and when in doubt, add another BB to your nymph rig.

Here are some highlights from last week, including a nicely bend 3 wt. Superfine

nice brown taken on a dirt snake

3wt being put to the test

Tough wading now- come for a ride in this thing and catch some fish!

Too high now, in fact. The river went from 3,000 cfs to over 7,000 in Gorham, NH Saturday, as a result of some heavy rains in the north country Friday night. I was able to guide anglers from W. Virginia, Bud and Charles, before the storm on Friday, and we did well, landing a few good fish including a fat 13″ brookie, and a brown that was at least 14″, both of which put a hell’ofa bend in Charles’ 3wt! Unfortunately we had to cancel Sunday’s trip and postpone Monday’s due to the heavy flows, which should subside later this week as long as we don’t get much more rain. Good news is that this should keep the river cooler for longer, and the best fishing should be yet to come.

Here are some pics from Friday (the best ones are still on Charles’ camera, but I snapped a few with my ipone)

A colored up Brook Trout

Unicorn Brown, not the best pic, but you get the idea. Handsome fish

3wt putting the boots to a nice brown!

The fishing somehow has gotten even hotter, and I netted over 80 fish on a full day float on Friday. My two sports, Bob and Charlie, broke their previous record of 60-some-odd fish from a few years ago. Theses guys just seem to hit it right, and the fish cooperated, with a little coercing from my lucky flies. Landed a few good fish in the 14″-15″ range, including a nice butter belly brown. The much needed rain has brought up the flows and dropped the temps, and has helped disperse some of the fish I think.

Two more trips this week, and I expect the fishing to stay hot for the next few weeks, until the first dog days of summer come. Still a few dates open, don’t wait any longer!

Here are some pics from Friday’s slaying,

Bob with a good brookie

Not the biggest brown of the day (no pic of that beauty), but a nice fat one

..like donkey kong. Boated 31 trout Saturday on a half day with one angler. Lots of browns, some brookies, and a few rainbows. Also got a nice river tarpon (fall fish) to round out the Andro Slam! The dry fly game is still quite, but that should change soon (hopefully).

The fishing should be hot the next few weeks, with the much needed rain bringing the rivers back up to normal and keeping them cool (Upper Andro was 68!). This is the month to fish, and it seems like I am booking trips daily. Don’t wait, go fish!