Wednesday, January 16, 2013

"Big River Reflections"

Rangeley River
You have the right blog. "Big River Reflections"

While my love for fishing small streams is first, there are times when I'll string up my 5wt and fish some big water. My attack plan on these rivers is about the same as on little ones. I pick a very small section that's likely to hold fish and fire away. The rivers shown here are from Western Maine, and Northern New Hampshire.

The upper Connecticut River in New Hampshire

This section of the Connecticut River is located in Pittsburg New Hampshire.

The Magalloway

These next two photos are of the Magalloway in Western Maine. The first shows a gentle flowing stretch where I have taken salmon and brook trout. I love fishing streamers here in the fall.

The Magalloway

This section of the Magalloway is located downstream from the Aziscohos dam. It's quite turbulent, but will hold some nice salmon in the pockets. Care is needed in here.

The Androscoggin River

The Androscoggin River located in northern New Hampshire. Big water that has a great fishery. Brook, brown, rainbow and salmon can be caught in this river. These photos are of the river near Errol, N.H.

The Androscoggin River

In a follow up post I'll show some of the fly patterns fished on these rivers.


38 comments:

  1. Brk Trt,
    these photos bring back my own memories as well. I fished the Ct thru the northern NH stretch myself as well as the Androscoggin River. GREAT STUFF!! I have my classic favorite dry fly patterns that use to work well years ago.

    I actually may make a fly fishing trip to the pemigewasset river located in north central NH this late spring/early summer, but will see what happens.

    Anyway, well done as usual..........Phil





    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DRYFLYGUY,
      Thanks.
      They are fine fisheries. And the scenic drives to access them is as good as the fish that are caught.

      Delete
  2. Great pictures of some of my favorite areas. Already daydreaming of this year's trip up north.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve,
      Thanks.
      I knew they would bring a smile.
      Daydream on.

      Delete
  3. Hi Brktrt. Question about your photography. I always have a hard time snapping a pic when fishing... How do you do it? Are you taking a big cam with you or are you using something as simple as a cell phone? Your shot's are always amazing!

    Great post again and, I'm excited to see the follow up on flies! Thanks for helping me start my day well.
    Will

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will,
      Thanks.
      I use point and shoot cameras, both Nikons. When photographing scenes I'll take several of the same subject and select the best one.
      Enjoy your day.

      Delete
  4. Hi Alan,
    These areas (as well as CT and western MA) will soon be in my territory (sweet adieu NYC).
    Looks like I will be getting fishing licenses for every state in New England. Then I will truly be the wandering fisherman.
    Great pictures as usual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed,
      Thanks.
      I now have licenses in 3 or 4 states, one comes at no cost.
      I'll be looking for the New Expanded "Wandering Fisherman" reports.

      Delete
  5. Your pictures are simply stunning! I especially like the Magalloway. It reminds me of a number of Adirondack streams I have been to. Thanks for the post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiwi,
      Thanks.
      That is a beautiful river. The Adirondacks are special indeed.

      Delete
  6. Some very nice shots as always. I know that bridge on the upper CT well, brings back memories of getting eaten alive by mosquito's and site fishing to rainbows sipping dries on Perry stream

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark,
      Thanks.
      Avoid the insect nasties....fish autumn.

      Delete
  7. Alan, your blog is among my absolute favorite sites throughout the massive "online world." Have followed for a long time though I rarely post replies. Absolutely beautiful photos. Have been working towards a big life change and move up to Maine in the next few years. Today's post inspires me to continue pushing and dreaming. I thank you for that. Have a wonderful 2013 and try to make it up to the Swift in MA this year!

    -Dave

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,
      Thanks.
      Selecting Maine as a new place to live will perhaps add 10 years to your life.
      The Swift is on my list.

      Delete
  8. Alan
    I am a big fan of covered bridges. Have you fished the area in and around that bridge? The other stream are outstanding.I am looking forward to seeing the fly patterns for each river. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell,
      Thanks.
      I love them too. I have fished that area.
      Stay tuned.

      Delete
  9. Hi Alan!

    All the rivers look like fine trout waters. I can understand that you spend some time fly fishing in bigger streams every once in a while too. Every stream has it's own charm and sometimes it takes time to understand the river. Looking forward to seeing the pictures of the flies you use in these waters!

    Your friend in Sweden,
    Mats Olsson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Jassid Man,
      Thanks.
      Words that say the truth.
      Flies to follow.

      Delete
  10. I've always wanted to try The Rangeley, Brk Trt. Looks like the perfect size for my wading abilities..Great photos..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. penbayman,
      Thanks.
      Mike you would love it.
      I've had some fine evenings on that river.

      Delete
  11. Beautiful photos... especially the ones with the colors of fall. That rocky section of the Magalloway looks like fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jay,
      Thanks.
      It's fun, but much caution is needed. Also the moose like that river.

      Delete
  12. gilang biantara,
    Thanks.
    I appreciate your comments.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful Maine rivers.
    I did a canoe trip a few years back on the Magalloway- it certainly was a touch harry when it came through Errol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peter Patenaude,
      Thanks
      There's some rough waters there.

      Delete
  14. Beautiful photos on a cold, raw, dreay, snowy winter day. I have fished the Upper Connecticut in Pittsburg and the Andro in Errol. There is a recent article in Fly Fisherman Magazine Feb 2013 issue regarding the Andro and it's comeback!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TROUT1,
      Thanks.
      I'll bet you had a good trip.
      The Andro in its upper reaches is very beautiful, bu the lower area has had some issues.

      Delete
  15. Some beautiful pictures, Alan. Awesome fall colors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark Kautz,
      Thanks.
      Autumn is beautiful up there. The fishing's not bad either.

      Delete
  16. Lester Kish,
    Thanks.
    Welcome.
    New England does have some pretty spots.
    Although I have never been to the Rockies I believe their beauty is hard to rival.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi, beautiful photos.
    I have followed your blog for a while and really enjoy reading about your small stream experiences.
    Living in Norway, I experience no shortage of exciting, unspoilt small streams.

    From your photos of e.g. The Picket Pin, The Red Head etc it would seem you use rather big flies to your small stream fishing..
    What do you think about fly sizes for fishing small streams?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ArveDok,
      Thanks.
      Welcome.
      I would imagine your waters are pristine.
      Most of the flies I tie and fish are sizes 14 and 16. The streams I fish contain wild trout both browns and our native char the brook trout. In the small streams the insects are meager, with few hatches so the trout do not get fussy. When a meal comes along although it may seem a bit large they do not hesitate for a second in taking it. I could probably fish an entire year on just 4 patterns, and most would be size 14.

      Delete
  18. Beautiful pictures! I've fished some of these rivers and the country around them brings me back.

    ReplyDelete
  19. joe,
    Thanks.
    Welcome. It's nice when a photo can bring back some memories.

    ReplyDelete