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Fishing for trout in the Androscoggin River
GORHAM, N.H. - The little 7 1/2 foot, 2-wt. rod bent to the task as the 12-inch rainbow headed back behind the rock from where he had darted to take Steve's fly. The reel complained in a high-pitched squeal about the line being stripped from it's spool. My companion had to be very careful as we fished with only two pound test tippets that can break if you breathe on them wrong. He had set the drag so that the slightest pull would take line; when fishing with such light equipment, the contest becomes art and finesse not horsepower. The small fish was not going to give up easily. Several times he broke the surface of the stream, shaking his head and tossing rainbow-ladened drops of spring-fed water side to side. With practiced ease Steve let the trout tire himself out and then slowly brought him to bay, his handmade catch net with the rubbed finish twinkled in the sunlight as he slid it underneath the waiting fish.
Fly fishing smallies in the fading summer
It's unbelievable how some years are dominated by certain types of fishing. Some years the surf is hot for stripers or blues. Some years trout fishing is hot in the streams. This year the hottest fishery going in freshwater is the smallmouth fishing in the rivers and streams throughout New Jersey. While most fly fishermen consider fishing for trout the ultimate sport, one day with a good dose of bronzeback with a buggy whip just might make them think twice. If I had to pick one fish that was my all-time favorite to catch, Ol' Mr. Bronzeback would be at the top of the list. Pound-for-pound, inch-for-inch, there is no better fighting fish to be found in the sweet water. While smallies are found both in the still waters of a lake or reservoir, they especially are feisty when they are found in the current environment of a river or large stream.
Fishery News
ROSSLYNLEE TROUT FISHERY, near Penicuik (01968 679606): Bannockburn Angling Club's 13 anglers took 27 fish with a total weight of 100lb 6oz, giving an average weight per fish of 3lb 11oz. The heaviest bag of the day went to B. Dawson who had four fish for 16lb 13oz including one at 6lb 2oz. Runner up was J. McKee with four for 15lb 15oz with his heaviest at 5lb 2oz. S. Allen had one fish at 5lb 12oz. The water is now cooler and the fish well spread out, now taking dry flies again such as Daddies, CDC's and Hoppers, although Buzzers and lures are also taking a great number of fish. BUTTERSTONE LOCH (01350 724238): Conditions have changed dramatically with water temperatures plummeting from the 20s down to 16oC. Water clarity is nominal at around 1-1.5m depending on the day and the wind conditions stirring up the bottom.
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