Fall fly fishing in New Hampshire

    New Hampshire will always be my home. Even though I haven't lived there since 1979, I'll always consider it home.  So when the opportunity for a two day late-September escape from the 90 degree temps in Florida, I jumped at the chance when my brother said come up for a couple days of fly fishing.  When you have only two days to fish, you really don't want to spend much time exploring, so we headed to tried and true waters in Coos County at the headwaters of the Connecticut River. 

When you mention Pittsburg(h), most people think of the Steel City in Western PA -- home of the Pirates, Pens, Steelers and Iron City Beer. But Granite Staters think of a different Pittsburg, namely the one that's the northernmost city in the state, and probably has more moose than people.  With the rustic Buckrub Lodge  and Buckrub Pub as our base of operations, we fished hard for two solid days.


Water levels were a bit low, and the 90 degree temps I sought to escape 1400 miles further south must have followed my north as Day 1 temps pushed the low 80s.  Undeterred, Marc and I headed to our favorite remote brook trout stream.  Marc fished with a 6'6" 2-wt and I had my Orvis Superfine 7'6" 1-wt rigged with an Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams, respectively.  Working our way upstream, we consistently picked up wild brookies in the 6-8" range.  Brook trout are beautiful fish to start with - but fall brook trout are breathtakingly colorful. 


After a few hours working upstream, and with another river to hit before day's end, we switched to steamers and worked our way back downstream, picking up equal numbers.  The Golden Retriever was the go-to fly, but the Mickey Finn - the favorite streamer of my dad - was equally effective. 

    Here's Marc working the far bank.

   The stream had some bigger water and 3-4 ft deep holes further upstream.

    Nothing like having a stream 100% to yourself.

So after Working our way back to Marc's truck, enjoying an ice cold beer, we struck out for another favorite stream -- the Mohawk River.  The Mohawk runs from Dixville Notch westward along Route 26 to Colebrook where it drains into the Connecticut River.  With only about an hour to fish we fished downstream again, swinging streamers.  I spotted a few trout finning in a long run, and while positioned above the stream-bank, directed Marc to the top of the run.  As he swung the streamer on his first cast - bang! - fish on.  That was pretty exciting watching the cast and hookset. And then we played out that scenario several more time, switching roles along the way. 

These were rainbow trout.  Again, absolutely stunning in appearance with their trademark pink stripe running down the length of their side. 

Satisfied after landing that last fish and with the sun setting over the hills we called it a day, breaking down our gear and enjoying a cold one after an awesome day on the water. 

Part of the allure of Pittsburg is the character of the region, and nowhere do you gain a greater appreciation for the area more than at the Buckrub Pub -- the one and only dining establishment / watering hole in town, and only a 30 second walk from our comfortable motel room. After a couple of Buckrub Brown Ales, we were ready to call it a night with expectations for another stellar day on the water. 

The Connecticut River is special in so many ways.  No two days ever seem to play out the same on the river - and this day was no different.  Our plan was to head far downstream as this river gets pounded - hard.  But before we struck out down, I had to take a shot by the dam as I usually have good luck just below the dam.  I recently purchased an Orvis 9 ft 5 wt Recon and was anxious to give it a try.  Within minutes I had fish on.  But this day we were determined to walk far downstream so we hit the trail for about 30 minuted before dropping down in the water.  The river here runs fast, and wild... and as I found out not long thereafter after a misstep -- cold!  

Browns, rainbows and landlocked salmon ruled the day. Nymphs ruled the day.  Copper Johns, BH Princes, Pheasant Tails and later in the day Marc tied on what I'd best describe as a Drowned Caddis which really seemed to work well.  Enjoy the pics.

Marc with a nice Brown Trout.

The Rainbows were healthy, strong and colorful.

Marc landed the fish of the day - a gorgeous leaping salmon.And he lost a fish that was even bigger.

Enjoy the pics below.

Another fantastic day on the river.  One year, I'd love to have about a week or two to explore this river.  As incredible as the water is that we're currently fishing, I have to believe there may even be some more productive water either upstream between a couple of the other lakes or possibly several miles further downstream.  There's so much water to explore not on simply the Connecticut, but nearby rivers and streams in this amazing countryside.

But after two hard days on the water, and having caught more than enough brookies, rainbows, browns and salmon it was time to pack up the gear until that next opportunity knocks.

Until that time, today's memories will have to hold me over.