Spring is the season to catch the King! By Matt Carpenter, Fisheries Biologist, Fish Conservation Program
The prospect of catching or even simply targeting an Atlantic salmon in New Hampshire is enough to increase the pulse rate of anglers at any skill level. Starting in May, these fish -- formerly used as brood stock in restoration efforts -- will be stocked in both the Merrimack and Pemigewasset rivers. Stocking typically occurs throughout these rivers from Hooksett to Bristol. The stocking rate of these fish in 2008 is expected to be higher than previous years, translating to even better chances for success. Angler reports from 2007 showed a wide variety in catch rates, with several anglers claiming they did well in the Bristol area.
We have some trophy-sized fish to release this spring for the Atlantic salmon brood stock program. Currently, there are 964 Atlantic salmon available for release into the Merrimack and Pemigewasset Rivers. The majority of these fish are three-year-olds ranging between 3 and 8 pounds, but there will be some big four-year-olds mixed in, each weighing between 10 and 18 pounds. The prospect of hooking into any of these fish makes for an exciting day of fishing.
Jon Greenwood, recently retired Anadromous Fish Program Coordinator.
This will be my first full year with the brood stock program after filling in for the legendary Jon Greenwood, who retired last summer. With over 35 years of experience in anadromous fish restoration, Jon left some big shoes to fill. Fortunately, he will continue to act as a consultant on this and other programs. The Merrimack River Atlantic salmon brood stock fishery now falls under the new Fish Conservation Program. Any extra money generated by the fishery will go toward conserving native fish and their habitats throughout the state.
As a newcomer to the Merrimack River brood stock program, I am relying on your experience and advice as anglers. The people I talked to last fall were all passionate about the fishery and their enthusiasm was contagious. Please feel free to call me any time with advice, or just to share a fishing story (271-2501). We will not be collecting volunteer angler diaries this year as we look into some more effective ways of monitoring the fishery. In the meantime, good luck and don’t let the big one get away.
Season and Permits: The special
broodstock Atlantic salmon season runs year-round, but all salmon
taken from October 1 through March
31 must be immediately released. Adult anglers need an $11 Atlantic
salmon permit and a regular New Hampshire fishing license. Children
under 16 are not required to hold a permit or a fishing license.
Each angler can keep one tagged salmon per day and five for the
season. The minimum length limit is 15 inches. Note that area 1a
(below Eastman Falls Dam in Franklin) is catch-and-release only.
Stamp and possession tags are no longer required for salmon anglers.
The salmon permit is a simple check box on the regular license
application. Don't forget -- anglers now can purchase their salmon
permit online (click here
to purchase permit or fishing license).
When to go: The best time to fish for broodstock is in April and
May and again in the fall during October and November, when water
temperatures are between 45 and 65 degrees F. Salmon are migratory,
and they head back to the ocean once water temperatures rise in
late June. An additional stocking takes place in the fall.
Best Fly-Fishing Areas: The most successful fly fishing is found
in the fast, free-flowing sections below the dams along the Merrimack
and Pemigewasset rivers and its tributaries. For fly anglers some
of the best spots include the area below the Ayers Island Dam in
Bristol. There are two sections that offer excellent wade fishing
opportunities: the first area is along Coolidge Woods Road on the
east side of the river, the other is Profile Falls Recreation Area.
This is a new site located near the Smith River confluence on the
east side of the river.
Other recommended areas include the catch-and-release section
just below the Eastman Falls Dam in Frankin, the river below this
section in the vicinity of the Winnipesaukee River confluence,
the section near the Stirrup Iron Brook in Boscawen, the Contoocook
River below the first dam in Penacook, and the Sewalls Falls Recreational
Park area in Concord.
Tackle tips: Gear recommendations for fly anglers include 7- to
9-wt. rods with either floating or sink-tip lines, depending on
the height and speed of the river flow. While most fly anglers
prefer heavyweight rods with 10-pound test line, nymph fishing
with lighter gear has proven successful in catching big salmon.
Recommended flies include traditional hair wing flies and streamers.
Some patterns to try are green highlander, black bear green butt,
cosseboom, soft hackle marabou and muddler minnow.
Spin-fishing areas: The area below the Garvin's Falls Dam in Bow
to the MA/NH border is open to both fly and spin fishing. The best
areas include in this section of the river just below the Garvin's
Falls and Hooksett dams where the river is fast flowing. Fishing
success in these two areas is best angling from a boat; however,
these two areas offer some limited but good shoreline angling as
well. Excellent boat access is provided at Public Service of New
Hampshire's ramp on the west side of the river in Bow and at the
state-owned ramp on the east side of the river below the Hooksett
Dam.
Gear tips: Spin casting anglers would do best to use medium to
heavy 6 1/2 to 7 foot rods with a minimum of 10-pound test mono
line. Some of the lures recommended are Little Cleo (chrome, chartreuse
colors), Blue Fox Pixie, Trixie (silver, chartreuse), Rapala's
CD model, and large in-line spinners such as Mepps Aglia (nickel,
green, yellow) and Rooster tails. Be reminded that the use of lures
for the taking salmon is by the use of an artificial lure having
no more than ONE hook point! A solution for lures sold with treble
hooks is to either cut off two of the hook points or replace the
treble hook with a #6 bait holder hook.
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