Water Temps in Southern NH

[michaeledward]

We fished a bit this afternoon in the Piscataquag and Souhegan rivers. Water temps in both rivers, my fishing partner tells me, were above 70 degrees. I know we aren't going to find many trout in water that warm.

So, who has some suggestions about where the water might be colder?

I imagine Archer Pond will be cool enough for fish, but, I really like rivers.

Any suggestions?

[fessiewig]

Find the tributaries and holes. Some rivers & streams are spring feed as well, checking water temps up and down the river will tell you where the fish are. B-T-W, although water temp and oxygen levels are related, it's oxygen content that the fish are looking for, not a nice cool spot on a hot summers, day like us.

[michaeledward]

B-T-W, although water temp and oxygen levels are related, it's oxygen content that the fish are looking for, not a nice cool spot on a hot summers, day like us.

Yes.

Colder water has the ability to hold more dissolved oxygen. As the tempurature increases, there is less oxygen.

Fish will often hold downstream from rocks and other obstructions which disturb the water, as this disturbance helps to add oxygen to the water.

Several years ago, while fishing below the guaging station on the Contoocook, a nice rainbow rose to take my Hornburg behind from behind a big rock. The fish looked as if it was moving in S-L-O-W M-O-T-I-O-N. It was only after I released the fish (unfortuneately) did it occur to me that the fish was probably dying due to lack of oxygen in the water. At times like that, we should keep the fish, for the frying pan.

[mer]

if you're not going to "keep & eat", don't mess around with landing them. Sharp hooks. This may run contrary to "common knowledge", but I think a longer length of 4x works as well as a shorter length of 5x and it gives you a greater margin to play the fish quickly. It also makes it easier to turn over hopper sized patterns. At the higher water temps the fish aren't going to move very far for small patterns (evolution) because they "know" it doesn't have enough calories. That's another reason that streamers are successful when the temp get higher. Play them quickly, and make sure they've recovered. Once you get the hook out, they're usually pretty docile and will actually hold for you in the hand/behind a leg.

[fessiewig]

Two questions Mer . . . . . what type and size streamers are you using this time of year and which method do you use to fish the streamer. Normally the method I employ is to cast upstream and strip back downstream very fast. That works well in the fall and in the late spring.

[mer]

Usually a Mickey Finn or Royal Coachman (quill wing), size 10 or so. I know there may be "better" ones, but I'm kind of a sucker for the classics.
As far as "tactics", upstream far enough so it sinks, then strip it in fast, let it back out, just trying to keep it in the water. If you get it to the far side of a rock, you can usually swim it through all the holding spots on each cast.

My best luck has been with size 12 yellow stimulators. Don't ask me why, but they've been working since the middle of May. Greased up good, cast upstream, let them get sucked down by the whirlpools and they pop back up. Best thing is the tail usually prevents too many of the small suckers, chubs and tiny brookies from getting hooked.

[fessiewig]

Cool.