Winni River Question??

[BROOK TROUT BULLY]

Does anyone know what the deal is with the winnipesaukee river? If so, how does it fish? I drive by it all the time and the stretch off 93 in Tilton is calling me out! Anyone ever done well there? Thanks

[RichShady603]

thats funny.. i drove by there last Friday and was thinking the same thing..

[fessiewig]

I lived in Laconia, Belmont and Northfield area for over 10 years and fished that very section of the river a often. I was told by folks I trust that section of the river on west side of the Rt 93 bridge, from the bridge all the way down to the town of Tilton was managed by the State as trophy water some time ago. They had stopped before I started fishing it however.

Now for the info, above the Rt 93 bridge and behind the Berger King there is a small stretch that is stocked by the state and has produced for me every spring. Also if you follow the RR tracks down (access through the MacDonalds) to the 93 bridge there is a rather nice pool. Once your on the RR tracks you can follow them all the way down the river and access the river at any point, although some places are easier to get to the river than others. That section is the part I described as having been managed as Trophy water. It is awesome looking and I'm convinced it holds some incredible fish. I'm sorry to say I never caught any of the "trophies", but once again, I'm sure they're there. Spend a day in that section and then tell me you don't think they're there as well.

Tight lines to anyone who fishes that stretch!

[RichShady603]

i'm getting out this weekend. I'm not sure if i'm gonna try that section of the winni river or head for the lamprey..

[BROOK TROUT BULLY]

thanks for the info fessiewig! i agree, i took a walk down those rr tracks last summer and it looked like it could have some seriouse potencial. I belive it doesnt open till April 1st.

[sbeausol]

that section of the river (by the 93 bridge) does have some quality holding spots which I am sure give up large fish every year. The only problem I notoiced down there is the water is actually prettty deep and swift, and can be tough to wade. If you go when the water is a bit low, I imagine it is easier to navigate. Anyway - I highly recommend fishing it.

[fessiewig]

Your absolutely correct! Up close to the bridge it is extremely difficult to wade. Further down there are some holes there that have to be 10 to 20 feet deep and 50 yards square. There is one run almost to town that is 75 yards long by 30 feet wide and 7 to 8 feet deep. It's on the far side of the river. The good thing is, in that section it's fairly shallow all the way over to the run.

[Tangled Tippet]

Now were in my territory.I have fished the Winni ever since I was a kid.Worms ,lures,and now the fly rod.there are several great pools that hold large Rainbows and when the water is right you can wade most of the stretch ,,,,if you know where to place your feet.At the end of May,When the Lilacs bloom (thats my cue to hit the river for the cinnamon caddis) Caddis come off the water in droves just before dark and the trout go nuts!My favorite Winni dry is the CDC caddis in light brown. Below McDonalds is better suited for Rainbows and from Mickey Ds and above ,the Browns hold.Anyone wanting to learn the River in that section I would be more than happy to show you.Just give me a holler.

[SaltH2oFly]

Tangled and BrookTrout; I'm planning on heading out later today after work with some guys in the Sanbornton Fly Tier's Club. We are thinking about checking out Lockmere and then maybe down behind BK. If I don't see you there, I'll give you an update of what we found and hopefully caught.

[Tangled Tippet]

The river is roaring

[SaltH2oFly]

...but LM is good :wink:

[Tangled Tippet]

Any luck in lochmere Salt? If your after salmon,give a Pumpkin Head a try.I tie it with orange crystal flash as a underwing,I call it a pumkin Head on LSD, and I have caught some nice ones there.My best was a hooked jawed male ,bout 5 lbs.