Newfound

[browntrout]

Anyone hearing anything about this place this winter? I had some tremendous days up there several years back in February March, however over the last few winters, from what I've seen & heard its reallly deteriorated. Haven't been that way in a while, anything going on?

[Ken B]

I'm not sure the river has been the same since the the drained the water behind the dam. I drove by a few weeks ago and the water looked very low.

Ken

[fessiewig]

I just found out they had done that last night. THat HAS to effect the river!

[Jackiechan]

Years back, we caught several big fish in in those waters including a rainbow that must have gone 6-7 pounds. As I recall they had been drawing down the lake to counter the spring run off and alot of fish came over the dam. We landed numerous landlocks (released while in the water), and some big bows'. A friend of mine was up there earlier this year and said the "pond" is reduced now to nothing more now than a channel in the middle of a mud flat. Damn shame.

[BROOK TROUT BULLY]

I have put in a lot of time on the Newfound for the last couple of years. It is not the fishery it used to be. Nobody has control of the second dam down from the lake. This used to create a small pond like area. The reason that area was so important is because there are several springs feeding it. Many fish were able to hold over there until water levels and water temps became good in the upper river around late sept, and early Oct. People used to throw float tubes in it and catch trophy brook trout in the middle of August! Not to mention large LL salmon and Rainbows. Now, the Newfound has suffered. It is heavily stocked but fishing for trophy fish is 100% dependent on the flows coming from the lake. Although once in a while fish/game puts in some brood fish. Even now, when there is a good flow in the river, there are some occasional rainbows and LL salmon that weigh as much as 5-6 lbs. The Newfound River is still a New Hampshire gem, it’s a shame that not many people realize the potential of its pristine waters. Wouldn’t it be great if an organization like TU or someone decided to manage it so we could bring back the NF river!

[Jackiechan]

BrookTrout Tulley-
What do you mean when speaking of the dam and pond you say "nobody has control of it". Someone must be responsible for it. As I remember years ago, they had to do some work to the dam. Thats when they drew it down. But who are "they"?. I can't imagine a TU group in the area not working with the local and state to turn this river around. Your right, it is or at least was a wonderful fishery. We had days where we lost count on the salmon we caught and they were all measured in pounds, better than the most notable rivers of Maine. With those kind of fish that coming out of the lake, you never know what you could hook into.

[sbeausol]

I know the pond you speak of... my brother's in laws have a place on Newfound and I have been lucky enough to fish the river, although only in the last 4 years, and mostly at the first dam. You are right about springs, they are everywhere.

Anyway, I'd be interested to find out about controlling that second dam.

Anyone know who owns it or how to find out?

[BROOK TROUT BULLY]

I was told by a local who used to live on the Newfound River that know one has control of the second dam down. This does not mean that it isn’t owned by anyone. They’re just not using it for much. The guy told me who the owner is, but I forget what he said. I’m going to find out soon from him and report back to you guys. A lot of people don’t realize that there are five dams on the Newfound!! One at the lake and two below it, and two more in Bristol center. I believe one of the last two is a small hydroelectric dam. It is the dam right before the confluence of the NF river and the Pemi. Just something to think about...

[sbeausol]

I guess it follows that if they don't use it for much, then it doesn't matter if the pond is filled or not filled. I imagine most people would like to see it filled as it fishes better and looks better....

[Gerry]

From what I heard, the previous owners didn't want to spend the money needed to repair the dam to keep it in operation, so they sold to a guy who operates a number of small hydro plants in Nh and VT. The new owner is probably going to repair it and put it back into operation.
Gerry

[fessiewig]

I'm not sure that's good news! A hydro operation usually is dropping water levels in the water impoundment during the hottest months of the year, just when the fish need the most water to maintain survival rates. What we need there is civic minded individual who will repair the dam with a spill way which will maintain good levels of water year round.

[LL Salmo]

The pond above the second dam did little other than to holdover a few fish through the winter. Most summers the water warmed too much in this pond for trout. Two summers ago there was a sizeable fish kill of stocked Rainbows in June. The water discharge from the dam at the lake is over the top or through partially open gates. Typically by June the large deep pool just below the dam is home to smallmouth and largemouth bass. The large Landlock Salmon and Rainbows typically enter the river through the gates being opened to dump water in the fall (mid-October after Columbus Day) or in the spring when snow melt/runoff raise levels too high in the lake. Other than the stocked Rainbows and Brookies in May the large fish from the lake are directly dependent on large flow releases generating the current flows to attract them to the dam. The potential for a very large fish here is as good or better than almost anywhere else based upon the forage base in Newfound Lake, but it is a matter of timing and putting your time in. I know from experience. A side note to this is do not forget where this river empties. The Pemi in Bristol is a very pretty and productive fishery yearround. In my opinion your time is best spent scouting and fishing the Pemi. I traditionally quickly scout and spot fish the productive sections of the Newfound and then drop down to the Pemi for most of the day. Tight lines and warm hands.

[BROOK TROUT BULLY]

LL Salmo
We seem to have the same routine when it comes to the Newfound. I always try to spot fish on the NF before dropping down to the Pemi. Theres always that chance for a nice fish. When you say that you drop down to the Pemi, are you fishing around the area where the NF meets the Pemi? Does anyone ever do well for trout on that stretch of the river?

[LL Salmo]

I fish the Pemi from approximately 0.75 mile upstream of the iron bridge down through kayak rocks. The fish are spread out early in the season and then they tend to concentrate in specific areas. I have had days where I have landed Brook Trout, Rainbows, Browns, Landlock Salmon, Broodstock Atlantic Salmon, Smallmouth Bass and large Chubs. Just be careful wading the rocks are very slippery. If you hop from rock to rock out into the river pay attention to water levels as when they generate power the levels can rise fairly fast. My go-to fly on this river has been a beadhead rubber leg olive wooly bugger fished either on the dead drift through deep slots or swung through seams. Lots of forage in the river. The Smallie fishing can be very good during the summer. Some of my biggest river Smallies have come from this stretch of river. I also like that this river receives pressure in only very specific locations and if you are willing to hike a little you can fish water without anyone else. I am getting stoked about fishing it once the spring high water flows have receded.

[parmachenee belle]

NHDES Dam Bureau has a link on their website for real time data for the Newfound Lake dam. If you go to the link, click on the outlet of Newfound and the data should pop up
http://www.des.state.nh.us/RTi_Home/pemibaker.asp

Looks like they lower the lake levels in the late fall for maintenance and anticipation of spring runoff. I thought they also used to list dam owners, but can't seem to find it.