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An Early Spring in 2012? The 2012 season appears to be way ahead of schedule like the rest of the country with the past mild winter. The snow in the valley is limited while a slightly below normal amount in the mountains. The maple sap ran early and the water temperature and/or hatches could do the same. Like many other people who have lived in the North Country for a good amount of time I have seen heavy spring snows and cooler temperatures in April than in February but with the location of the Jet Stream it is unlikely to change that much this spring. It is always a dangerous thing to try and second guess Mother Nature so who knows. Whether water levels will be affected it is too early to tell as where the Jet Stream goes in the next few weeks will determine spring rains. Spectacular fishing The high water made float fishing from both Ospreys a distinct advantage but necessitated the use of full sink and sink tip lines at times to help access the fish. One day an old friend from Portland, Maine asked if he could use one of my heavier patterns on a section of the Connecticut River, I agreed, tied it on, and a few minutes later I was grateful that I had said 'why not' in response to his request. With the next eight casts he took eight fish and continued at a similar rate for the remainder of the day. I have to admit that I wasn't surprised when Jack passed on the last three pools of the day as I was tired just watching all the action. As most of you know these moments don't happen all the time but when they do its what fly fishing is all about. The 'downs' ... Needless to say the high water experienced following Irene initially did not favor either of Northern New Hampshire's mighty rivers as several dams on the Androscoggin River had their splash boards blow out leading to abnormally high and silty water during the month of July. From the time the high water produced by Irene occurede pummeled the river fish numbers dropped off slightly from normal. We continued to take fish only when using sinking lines and heavily weighted flys as surface currents made drifting a dry fly difficult for even the most experienced anglers. Beyond that, the fish were were forced into different lies than normal as they sought breaks from the strong current to minimize negative energy exchange when feeding. The Connecticut fared slightly better during the two weeks following hurricane Irene as we had less of the heaviest rain felt on the other side of Dixville Notch. For the past 30 years I have passed this storied landmark on my way to the Androscoggin River. I can not count the times my guests haveremarked on the spectacular scenery created by the Hotel and reveled in its rugged surroundings. More than three hundred and fifty people were put out of work by its closing which included our two oldest sons. As some of you know I have been giving casting lessons/demonstrations there for years and have come to look forward to gathering my rods, reels, and vest from the truck to carry them to the shores of Lake Gloriette. Will these days return? It appears they will as a couple of local businessmen have purchased the hotel and are making the long needed repairs to the infrastructure of the hotel. It is scheduled to reopen during the 2013 season. This sale by the Tillotson corporation was contingent on the purchasing of surrounding lands by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, a non profit organization whose goal is to keep the land in its present use regarding mountain biking, fishing, hiking, logging, snowmachining, etc. This particular tract of land was also sought by a group called 'Northern Pass' who consist of Northeast Utilities and NSTAR. They seek this deeded right of way to build a transmission line from Canada to Massachuesetts. The power itself is not the problem but rather the 135' towers proposed to transverse the property destroying its beauty. Thanks to numerous donors the SPNHF was able to raise the required monies prior to the deadline and Northern Pass is out of the picture. A heartfelt thanks to all of you involved in preserving this pristine and wild area for generations to come. last updated 3/18/2012

The Ups & Downs of 2011 The 2011 season saw excellent fishing due to consistent flows throughtout the summer and into the fall. With a late spring snow melt and hurricane Irene in the first part of July water levels were superb spreading fish out in all stretches of the Connecticut and Androscoggin Rivers. The beauty of this is to allow all age classes of fish the opportunity to grow and prosper. Predation decreases slightly and due to the faster growth rate of the smaller age classe fish survival rates do as well. Several fish measured in pounds and not inches were taken while at the same time fish in the one, two, and three year age class remain abundant suggesting that natural reproduction for both brown and rainbow is occuring at a super rate. The largest fish of the summer was a 26" five pound plus hen brown taken by an angler using a classic pattern, the light cahill. In evidence of what I mentioned above, the same client took three to four different age classes of fish that day with all showing health and vigor. ... and a big one The other 'valley' we experienced here in the Great North Woods region was the failing economy. With the closing of the mills in Groveton, Berlin, andGorham, coupled with the decreased hours and reduction in staff at the Ethan Allen factory in Beecher's Falls, Vt. , local jobs were hard to find. Many of the local businesses also noted a drop in the summer tourist number and virtually all businesses in the area reflected it. The final straw came when the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in Dixville Notch announced it was closing its doors and up for sale. This hotel, dubbed the 'Switzerland of America', and surrounding 5800 acres have long been a destination for generations of locals and guests alike. The former to find work and the later to enjoy the fine dining and rugged beauty typical to this small part of Northern New Hampshire. Some light at the end of the tunnel... There is some hope for this Grande Dame, also famed for its 'first in the nation' status during presidential elections, such as that coming in November. As it has through the decades, one minute before midnight of the second Monday in November a Dixville Notch resident stands poised with their ballot over the box waiting for the second had to mark the new day. When the second hand moves the first vote of the elction is cast. Perhaps this small group of voters will again make history in the next election. Will they successfully pick the next president? Only time and a little luck will tell. .

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