WRITING ON THE FLY
By GEORGE LISET
When most fly fishers talk about fishing the mountains of New Hampshire the responder immediately thinks about the White Mountains. The Whites are more storied and more written about and have become a destination for fly fishers where they can fish for the gems of New Hampshire’s rivers and streams, the Brook Trout.
There are three mountain ranges that most anglers drive past or through to get to the White Mountains. All three surround Lake Winnipesaukee.There is the Sandwich Range which some consider to be the beginning of the White Mountains and the Ossipee Range, both on the north side of Winnipesaukee. The Belknaps lie on the south side of the lake and are more easily accessible from the Seacoast of New Hampshire.
These ranges are like the drive by, drive through states of the Midwest where tourists pass through to get to somewhere else. Some of the best Brown Trout fishing in the country is the Driftless Region of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. In my experience I would say the same can be said of the Sandwich, Ossipees and the Belknaps. O.K,. I let the cat out of the bag.
The Belknap Mountains are more familiar to snow skiers because of Gunstock Mountain Ski Resort; however, Gunstock River is a beautiful spot, not heavily frequented, and holds some beautiful Brookies. In the range there are a number of ponds and lakes that have easy access, for the fly angler, the adventure is following some of the rivers and streams upriver where there is not much fishing pressure.
Wet wading this time of year with a three weight rod and some small Caddis flies and nymphs can be very entertaining. Brook Trout in these small streams range from 3-6” with a big fish at about 8”. I was fishing Sabbaday Falls one time with my light rod and a hiker was watching me reel in a five-inch Brookie. I’m sure he wondered why I was so excited. As a non-angler I could see the look on his face and hear him think, “If you want 5” fish, why don’t you fish at the pet store?” I wanted to tell him that Brook Trout are the little jewels of New Hampshire. I wanted to show him how beautiful they are in their spawning colors, but I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled. Brook Trout are resilient fish and breed profusely which is part of their survival mechanism. Plus, they are just plain fun to catch.
On this day I fished a couple of small streams and brooks. The water was low but there was still some flow and a number of small pools where if you made an ugly cast you would send the fish scattering. At that point you just move on to the next pool. There is a discussion in the fly-fishing community as to whether it is color or movement that will scare a trout. I have a tendency to think it is movement and shadows that will make trout scurry. Part of my belief is that I don’t want to buy new clothes.
I had just reached a good size pool when I thought I saw some movement at the tail end of the pool. I contemplated using a bow and arrow cast, but after I stopped laughing I gently cast my size 16 Caddis by the rock where I thought the fish was holding. The next moment there was a splash and I was into a nice 5 inch Brookie. This repeated over the next hour and the smile on my face just got bigger and bigger.
There is one caveat to fishing the Belknaps. Which should be no surprise to locals. Walking up some streams you might find yourself in someone’s back yard. When I first started fishing these rivers and streams it was never an issue. It is one small reason that many fly fishers go farther North, if only to the Ossipees and the Sandwich Ranges. I don’t blame people for wanting a little piece of heaven.
With people working from home and a Jet Port in Laconia, the Lakes Region is inviting urban sprawl. We all like change when it benefits us, but any change is hard, especially when it affects the fishing. So if you are fishing and end up in someone’s back yard, tell them you are working under cover for Fish and Game. You’re welcome.
George Liset of Dover is an award-winning outdoor writer and avid fly fisherman who shares insights of his time on the water exploring New Hampshire streams and rivers as well of those around New England. George is a graduate of Wheaton College, Illinois, and the University of New Hampshire. His column Writing on the Fly has been honored by the New England Press Association and the New Hampshire Press Association.
Source: Fly Fishing the Belknap Mountain Range - InDepthNH.orgInDepthNH.org
