It’s Time To Get Ready for The Big Day

What beautiful weather we’ve had lately. Plenty of sun, warmer temperatures and the snow disappearing. It’s just what the doctor ordered to help cure my cabin fever. So now, it’s time to get ready for the disappearance of ice covered waters and prepare for the opening of New Hampshire’s landlocked salmon season, which is Wednesday, April 1st. It’s time to prepare boats for the coming of open waters and get fishing rods and tackle in order for the big day.

It’s anybody’s guess when total ice-out may occur this year and yes, open-waters will no doubt be limited at first, but that is hardly an unacceptable situation. Remember that it is spring and salmon will be in shallower waters looking for spawning smelt along shorelines and particularly in rivers that flow into lakes. So, stream fishing is also a good potential for some great salmon action should ice conditions not allow boating.

At this time, we can not assume what water levels may prevail on opening day, particularly in the rivers. If you are going to do any wading, be sure to wear a belt around the mid-section of your chest waders in event you should take a spill. Also, wearing an inflatable device as a backup is a good idea. Wear cleats on the bottom of your wading boots to help prevent slipping off underwater rocks, etc. I also find it a good idea to have a wading staff as it is a plus when navigating streambeds. It offers you stability when moving around in the waters and allows you to feel out the bottom structure before taking a step.

The Merrymeeting River, in Alton, from the lower dam to the Route 11 bridge at Alton Bay, flows into Lake Winnipesaukee and is a good river for catching salmon in the spring. However, there are restrictions. From January 1 through June 15th it is fly-fishing only, with barbless hooks, and catch and release fishing. From June 16 to September 30, when fish may be kept, the combined daily limit for trout and salmon is 2 fish (1 of each) with a minimum length limit of 15 inches.

What kind of flies work best in the lower Merrymeeting River? Remember that salmon are looking for smelt. Streamer fly patterns, resembling smelt, in sizes of #8, #10 and #12 are good bets to use. Patterns to choose would include the Gray Ghost, Red Gray Ghost, Winnipesaukee Smelt, Joe’s Smelt and the Supervisor.

There are times when the salmon may go off the feed. In those occasions, you need to20use fly patterns that are called attractor patterns. These aggravate and induce them to strike. Again, use single hook streamer patterns in size 10 and 12. Some good patterns would include: Mickey Finn, Maynard’s Marvel and the Golden Demon. For fly line, I find a full-sink fly line and a sink-tip fly line best to use. You may have to switch depending on the river’s water depths, etc.

Another good river for early season salmon is the Smith River, located on the northeastern shore of Lake Winnipesaukee in the middle of the town of Wolfeboro. The mouth of the river, and slightly beyond, can be fished from the town docks. This river is open to all legal methods of fishing. The use of live smelt is a very productive fishing method here and some anglers use various lures and spinners tipped with a piece of night crawler. Streamer flies are also productive, but anglers are not restricted to the fly-fishing method. A minimum size limit on salmon remain at 15 inches and 18 inches for lake trout.

Well, April will soon be upon us so get your fishing gear and boat ready to enjoy another season of great New Hampshire fishing.

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

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DISCLAIMER:  The opinions expressed by Mr. Harris are not necessarily those of the Goffstown Residents Association or its members

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