Guide Service Different Trips The Two Rivers About the Owner What to Bring Reservations & Current Rates Current News

2008: Plenty of Snow and Rain The facts... One of the rainiest summers in memory following record snowfalls was only one of the factors that made the 2008 season a difficult one to fish. Virtually constant rains kept both rivers extremely high and discolored for much of the summer. The Connecticut River has long been known to silt up with any substantial rain event but this past summer dam repair on the Rapid River teamed up with the exceptionally rainy summer to make the normally stable Androscoggin river equally unstable. But whenever the water would clear fishing was tremendous as the pics below will attest. A small example... One days we put in on the Androscoggin and started hammering the fish. Five trout boated in under 10 minutes. The fishermen and myself had looks of glee plastered on our faces. When we began the day at 2100 CFS and 68°F with clear water and rising fish in sight we were all convinced it was going to be a great day but within an hour after launching the water began to move faster and faster. It took far more effort to hold the boat in the perfect lane and the visible holding lies began to disappear. Action began to drop off rapidly regardless of going to the heaviest of flys and sinking lines. Another hour saw tree limbs and firewood floating by and by the time we broke for lunch entire trees were cruising by at dangerous rates of speed. After a brief lunch I started to look for any spot that offered breaks in the flows but these were virtually non-existant. We still managed to hook some fish but the only alternative was to roll cast from amongst the bushes and eventually even this became impossible. About 3:30 PM one of the sports broke a long period of silence and with courage said "gentlemen, I hate to be the one to break the news but this day is over". With the memory of the morning's fishing still lingering in my mind I replied "one more spot' (at least twice) before conceding that indeed fishing was over. As we rounded the bend above the Seven Islands bridge I gave quick thought to whether or not we would make it safely under the bridge to the takeout. If not I was prepared to let the fishermen out above the bridge and walk down to get my truck and trailer. A quick but calculated glance showed the water still low enough to pass safely and we headed to the takeout. Both fishermen were told to lower their rods and duck as we passed under the bridge with little room to spare. Thoughts on 2009... Fishing during 2008, when available was super showing all age classes of fish doing exceptionally well. We had days like in the early 80's catching two or more fish a day over three pounds. Wade or bank fishermen were scarce and we virtually had the river to ourselves. Since fishing pressure, and hence fish mortality, were low we are expecting an excellent number of 2-3 year old fish ranging in size between 14-17 inches to be brought to net in the coming season. The 2+ year age class of fish were in super numbers throughout the fall of '08 for both rainbows and browns so natural reproduction should be far better than recent years leading to a bright future for these two rivers. OTHER RIVER NEWS Didymo... One positive note about the high flows of 2008 was that they seemed to have swept the bottom clean of the Didymo stalks depositing them on tree branches 2-3 foot above the Connecticut River along the shoreline. How the algae will rebound in 2009 noone knows at this point Regardless of what the future holds, we continue to carry a tupperware tub containing a 15% bleach solution for our clients use to eliminate the potential transport of this algae to other waters following their departure. The Delaware River in upstate New York, another superb fishery in the East, has also fallen victim to D. geminata, a.k.a. 'rock snot', so all fishermen and river enthusiasts that wade or paddle any body of water contaminated by this invasive species are advised to sterilize their footwear and oars/paddles before stepping foot or setting paddle into another body of water. Officials from the states of New Hampshire, Vermont, and other volunteer organizations have begun a campaign directed towards education of how to prevent the spread of this organism to unaffected sections of the river, or worse yet, to rivers that have not been invaded. Talk now is to situate cleansing stations strategically throughout the upper watershed for treating wading footwear such as felt soled waders, wading shoes, or any footwear that has been in contact with the algae. Sterilization is accomplished either using a 5% bleach solution for 2-3 minutes or in hot soapy water for a minimum of 10-20 minutes followed by complete drying for a 24 hour period. Either of these methods helps to stop the spread of Didymosphenia to other places on your fishing agenda. Water craft such as canoes, kayaks, motorized craft and, oh yes, drift boats are also potential transporters so beware. last updated 2/19/09

Copyright © 2009, Osprey Fishing Adventures