What did I do wrong?

[NHBowman]

I fished Wolfeboro bay yesterday morning but got disgusted with the fishing and the amount of boat traffic so I went home and spent the afternoon fishing the Bearcamp. I was casting on a big bend in the river when I notice two browns come out of the shadows and start picking nymphs off the bottom in about 4 feet of water. I tried everything I had with me but they wouldn't take. The only thing I could think of was that the current was too swift to allow my nymph to float all the way to the bottom and it was just drifting over the tops of thier heads. I didn't have any splitshot or I would have tried putting some on. Any suggestions as to what I might have done to hook them? Also what about some pattern recomendations? My nymph selection is rather meager.

[BugChucka]

The most important thing is exactly what you said...the nymphs presentation. The artificial needs to present itself as the natural would. As fishermen we need to match the speed, depth, and drift which at times is impossible so we try to get as close as we can which sometimes isn't close enough....but that's fishing. As a general rule of thumb....early season NH calls for small dark stoneflies and work your size and weight until you start hooking up. But honestly, your situation sounds like one of those where your going to be frustrated no matter what....so go back and chuck some big Buggas at 'em!

[Squaretail]

Sounds like you answered your own question- The key when the water is this cold is to get the fly down to fish. Either a bead head nymph or a split shot or both. Sure gets your heart pumping though to see a couple nice fish. I've never fished the bearcamp. On the map it appears as though there is good access from Rt 25. Are there places to park and spots where you can get into the river easily??

[petegas]

also remember that 'drag' on nymphs is just as important as drag on dry flies. if fishing with an indicator is should float along with the current naturally and a shade slower than than the current (since the fly should be dragging it down slightly) if the indicator is dragging across the surface so is your nymph..no good.
of course this doesnt apply to instances when swinging or giving motion to your nymphs can be useful, but it seemed like these browns were simply picking off dead drifing nymphs.

[NHBowman]

Well thanks for the info everyone. I plan on getting back on the Bearcamp Thursday to give it another shot. Squartail, there are plenty of places to access the river. Rt. 16 goes over it and there is a pull off where you can get to the water with a canoe. Just watch out if you have a car, it was pretty washed out last fall. You need some clearance.This is a great way to get to Ossipee Lake. Also Rt. 25 goes over the river as well. They are putting in a new bridge there so there is plenty of parking on the weekend. During a weekday the contractors are there with heavy equipment so I'd recommend staying away to avoid any mishaps. If you continue on 25 past the bridge for a half mile there is a road on the right that goes down the the old covered bridge with good access to the river. This is where I parked and fished upstream. You can also access the bridge from the Rt. 16 side. if you continue along 25 for another couple of miles there is the Bearcamp Conservation land where you can pull off and fish. Also there is Hacket Hill WMA just off of Rt. 113 as well as a few other places along its course. The Bearcamp is very accessible with lots of fish for the taking.

[bmik]

Maybe they weren't browns. I have seen 'suckers' act this way. When you first see them they get your heart rate up because they are usually of good size. But they take little interest in what you're showing them...and they do not get spooked easily either. In the spring they also usually travel in pairs (pre-spawn maybe?). I'm not familiar with the river but have seen this often in other waters.

[NHBowman]

I know they weren't suckers. Their colleration was clear as day. I did see a big sucker though but they are easy to tell apart because they are broader across the front.