Fly Fishing the Upper Connecticut River in NH – Everything You Need to Know – Trophy Stretch & More

The upper Connecticut River is known to be one of the best fisheries in all of New England. With the “trophy stretch” providing extremely good salmon and trout fishing throughout the summer, lower sections providing incredible float fishing opportunities, and even the opportunity to target Pike on the fly, the Connecticut River is a must stop for avid fly fisherman.

The Connecticut River System
The Trophy Stretch
River Map
Fishing Season & Regulations
Tips & Flies for Landing Fish
Guides
Current Flows

 

The Connecticut River System

The Connecticut River is the longest river in New England at 406 miles flowing from Quebec, Canada (and Pittsburg, NH) all the way to Long Island Sound.

The fast and cold flows of the upper Connecticut hold brook trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout year round. The interconnected lakes by this river house all of the above, but also lake trout, and landlocked salmon, which frequently make their way into the river system during spring and fall to feed and spawn. Pittsburg, NH features 6 miles of fly fishing only waters but far more than that of productive fishing. Lower stretches of the Connecticut are fantastic for wading, float trips, and targeting species ranging from trout, to bass, and even pike.

The Connecticut River System begins with a series of lakes and rivers with great fishing:

 

Fourth Connecticut Lake

The headwaters of the Connecticut are located at Fourth Connecticut Lake at the border of Canada and Pittsburg, NH. These waters are small, and only accessible by hiking trail. This is the smallest of the lakes and is located .5 miles upstream of Third Connecticut Lake.

 

Third Connecticut Lake

This lake is a bit larger than Fourth Connecticut Lake at 231 acres, and reaches depths of 100 feet. It is located 5 miles upstream of Second Connecticut Lake

 

Second Connecticut Lake

Second Connecticut is 1,102 acres, and sits 2 miles upstream of First Connecticut Lake

 

First Connecticut Lake

First Connecticut Lake is the largest of the Connecticut lakes at 3,071 acres. This lake marks the north end of the “trophy stretch”, though the fishing is great in all upper sections of the Connecticut.

 

Lake Francis

Lake Francis is a 2,000 acre lake located downstream of First Connecticut lake, marking the end of the “trophy stretch”. The Connecticut river enters the lake at the northeast end (at Lake Francis State park).

You will frequently see anglers at just about every stretch of river between all of these lakes, and also anglers on boats on each of the lakes.

After this upper section of the Connecticut, the river continues southward where it widens significantly, making float tripping the most successful, and further down, boats are completely necessary. It is south of Pittsburg, NH where anglers begin to target other species, like Pike.

 

The Trophy Stretch

The “Trophy Stretch” of the Connecticut River is a 2.5 mile section of river located between First Connecticut Lake, and Lake Francis. The bottom release dam at First Connecticut provides fast and cold flows allowing trout to inhabit the lakes productively year round.

It is wading that is the primary method in this stretch of river. The river flows provide incredible pocket water, riffles, and pools that seem to house fish at every rock. Oh, and there are some pretty big fish in here too.

Nymphing is successful year round on this stretch, but Memorial Day into Fall, dry flies can be extremely successful.

 

River Map

We have put together a map showing the different stretches of the upper Connecticut. Highlighting where the trophy stretch is, common pool names you will here, each of the Connecticut Lakes, and more.

 

Fishing Season & Regulations

 

 

 

Here is New Hampshire Fish and Game’s regulations page: https://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fishing/seasons.html

 

Tips & Flies for Landing Fish

With such a great fishery, year round nymphs and streamers are quite effective.

Nymph Setups – Double rigging nymphs is almost always extremely effective. Making sure to get good drifts, and getting those nymphs down is crucial. Effective patterns include copper johns, pheasant tail nymphs, just about any midge pattern. Size 14 tends to do well during most times.

Streamers – White wooly buggers and smelt patterns kill it. Especially during times when the smelt are running. A good sink tip line can be a great way to land fish year round. The large browns love the streamers during the winter months.

Dry Flies – Much more hatch dependent on these flies. We recommend consulting the local fishing reports for the time you are visiting.

 

Guides

If you are looking for a guide in Pittsburg, or anywhere in New Hampshire, we can find a guide for you. Just let us know here.

Some fantastic guides in Pittsburg:

Lopstick – https://www.lopstick.com/

Check out our awesome experience and review at Lopstick here.

Tall Timber – https://www.talltimberfishing.com/

 

Current Connecticut River Waterflow in Pittsburg, NH