CT suggestions

[petegas]

hey all-
im heading up to fish the upper CT this weekend for the first time, im wondering if you all had some general places to give it a try. ( im not looking for your secret spots) more specifically, which of the dams are bottom release that may be churning out colder water.
thanks in advance 8)

[fessiewig]

petegas,

I'll be up there Saturday AM (about 6) at the 1st lake dam (bottom release). Tan car with NH Vet plates. Meet me there and I'd be glad to show you around.

John

[overmywaders]

petegas,

This link http://www.lopstick.com/Fishing/Connecticut%20River%20Map.htm provides a map that might help you familiarize yourself with the river.

Best regards,
Reed
www.overmywaders.com

[petegas]

thanks john, it looks like right now im going up on sunday, but if plans change i'll be sure to try to meet you.

reed- im not sure if its me or not but the link didnt quite come through.

thanks fellas.

[michaeledward]

'The Trophy Stretch' is a good place to catch fish. It is the stretch of water from the bottom-release dam on the 1st Connecticut Lake, to the inlet on Lake Francis. The Flyshop at Lopstick Lodge had a very crude map with the popular spots on it, including the names used to identify them.

I'll try a brief description.

Go to the First Connecticut Lake Dam ... the parking lot is on the right side of RT3 ... about 150 yards in. When you park, there is a clear wide trail running down the last 60 - 70 feet to the river. Walk down.

Turn left (upstream) and you can see the dam. There are three or four or maybe five nice fishable holes up there, referred to as the 'Dam Pools'. I have fished the big wide space right where the water comes out of the dam successfully. It's fun playing with the eddies.

Where you actually walk down from parking, there is a nice run, directly in front of you.

Turn right from the walk in, and there is a relatively wide, pocket water area. I don't usually fish there, but I often see others there.

70 yards downstream from where you walk in, the river splits around an island, the far side of the river has some nice holes. The near side split is fun to fish with small gear ... 6' 2 wt.

Where the two portions of the river come back together, there are the pools 'Judges' and 'Jury Box'. This is a great area to fish. (From the parking area, there is a walk down through the woods - it's easy to find - walk away from the wide clear path and look to your left - you'll see it.)

Judges (as I understand it) is the second pool. It's deep, just below a 3' ledge (or falls). There are lots of backcurrents. I have seen some BIG brookies pulled out of this whole.

Jury Box is just above the ledge (or falls). This is a great dry fly pool. I love to stand at the downstream end and present upstream. I miss as many as I hook. But it is fun.

There is some more pocket water below Judges, for about 40 yards, and then the river turns to the left. There is a big deep hole here, I think it is called the 'Ledges'. I've never had any luck there ... but others tell me it holds fish.

Downstream from Ledges, you get to the 'In Between Water'. There are fish here but they are more spread out. This is a lower pressure area of the river. It is harder to get too, but not at all difficult.

* * * * * *
That covers to top part of the river. You could certainly spend all day there, fishing over about a half a mile of river. You will catch fish.
* * * * * *

The next place to look, is on 'River Road' - the road going to Lake Francis State Park. About a mile in, you will see 'Carr Ridge Road' on the left. Park there with all the other cars. :?

Old timers refer to this area as the 'Logging Bridge'. Very easily accessable holes above and below the bridge. Go up river about a quarter mile, and you reach the 'Bend Pools'. They are fun to fish. Above the Bend Pools is the bottom part of the 'In Between Water'.

Below the logging bridge is where Perry Stream enters the Connecticut River. The 'Junction Pool' is a popular spot to fish. On July 4, of this year, I had the Pool to myself from 5 to 8 AM. I was a bit surprised by that. Caught some nice fish.

From Junction Pool walk down river, fishing pocket water, to a point where the river turns left again. This turning point is known locally as 'Docs Pool'. I have had success here in the last hour of the day on dry flies.

* * * * * *
The last access area is parking at the State Park Parking area.
* * * * * *

Walk through the state park where the River Ends and the Lake begins. This can be a productive area, if you can wade out far enough to reach the current (you should be able to do that now, depending on how high Lake Francis is).

The 'Step Pools' are right above the inlet, a series of pools that drop down to the lake level. They are pretty productive, and sometimes not as heavily fished as further upstream.

Walk in further, and you will reach the 'Skating Rink' ... a big broad pool. I have never fished it.

* * * * * * *

Now look what you've made me do, I've gone and given away all the secret spots.

Naw... this is a very popular stretch of river. Have fun.

[fessiewig]

Downstream from Ledges, you get to the 'In Between Water'. There are fish here but they are more spread out. This is a lower pressure area of the river. It is harder to get too, but not at all difficult.

I can tell you from experience, wading down through there is not easy! You are right, however, when you say it has less pressure. Less pressure is not the same as no pressure; still the fishing can be spectacular so I would recommend it, but be prepared to work for your fish. :)

p.s. From the Dam to Carr Bridge takes about 8 to 10 hours to fish.

[grebl]

I was up fishing it yesterday and the water was high. I tried between the logging bridge and Junction Pool but the water was too fast for me to feel comfortable there fishing alone. Moved down to the Step Pools and had some luck, nothing fantastic, nothing huge. The water was very fast and dirty - I guess we got more rain from that storm than I thought as flows were forcast to be at 250cfs and I would guess it was over 300cfs easily.
ANyway, fantastic place to be, but be care full if you're alone as I did see some fellow go down yesterday and it is cold water.

[petegas]

thanks for all the help guys, i'll be sure to let you know how it turns out,

hopefully it goes better than the trip i attempted to make to the white river in vt this evening, got to the stream and realized i hadnt brought my rod......

[petegas]

Well i got up there around 830am on sunday and parked up by the first lake dam, fished until about 1pm picking up some nice fish on beadhead pheasant tails, broke for a siesta and grub and fished up and down from the carr bridge, starting out nymphing then switching to soem terrestrials and having luck with both. not a significant hatch of insects saw lots of midges and a caddis. all in all a great day, thanks to all you gentlemen for the advice!

[fessiewig]

I take it you remembered you rod. :D