Normal to lower July flows are what we are experiencing on the river and fishing in the trophy stretch continues to fish great! July is my favorite month for fishing here. The weather is warm, the caddis are hatching, and there is less fishing pressure because everyone is out doing all the cool thing there is to do in the Great North Woods. Are you fishing the upper Connecticut River this week? You should be!

Flies to try include the BH Pheasant Tail, BH Prince, Hatching Pupa, Elk Hair Caddis, Little Yellow Sally, Pale Morning Duns, Grey & Olive CDC Caddis, San Juan Worms, BWOs, and Wooly Buggers and Bombers.

Enjoy Canada this summer before you need a passport!

As you know we have been adding video to further illustrate our web site. The other day I get the brain storm that I will 'do' Magnetic Hill. Using the sunroof of my car and a lack of traffic, here it is!

Magnetic Hill lies just over the border of US and Canada north of Pittsburg. Take Rte 3 north and cross into Canada. Go to the bottom of the hill which lies before you, turn around by the sign, put your car in neutral and experience it!

Greetings to all, I hope everyone is well, and the your fish are eager to please.

the fishing has been fabulous. I've even had one gentleman I guided this week say that his day of fishing was, and I quote, "monumental" well that can't be bad. We've had some fantastic days out on the water recently, although it has rained quite a bit. There was a day this week where it rained all day and very hard at times. After 9 hours in a Drift boat and eating lunch in the rain the fishing was still very good and it was hard to leave the river. So the next day it only rained half the day which just so happened to be the time that we did the half day evening float. The rain at this time wasn't as heavy but just a constant drizzle. The B.W.O's came out that day in force and we fished to pods of feeding fish all evening long. That was the best I had seen all season long. It made me wish I was fishing that day, until today. Today Sunday, July 20th. It was a high bright sunny day with a constant breeze out of the North. We fished the trophy stretch in Pittsburg from 11 am to 1:30 there were only a few other people on the water at this time and we harassed the fish unmercifully. There has been some stonefly hatches recently and a larger size 8 Caddis seem to be the ticket. A beautiful day and willing fish on big dries, life is grand. So later this day I had a guide to do the evening drift on the Connecticut. It being late afternoon and the sun being high and bright the first few hours were slow, but just about 6 o'clock the wind died and the fish started rising and from then on there were pods and towards the end the entire river was alive with rising fish. Absolutely unbelievable, the gentleman and his that I was guiding had a great time and he commented "He didn't think this existed in New Hampshire" It does. Were going to try to do it again tomorrow. Life's Grand.

I think you all should come on up. The fishing great if you know what to do and where to go, the crowds have died off and the fish want to eat.

Thanks to all who have helped me along the way and inspired the angler. Some say that it's a sickness. I hope they never find the cure.

PEACE tight lines, BILL

Last Friday didymo was confirmed in the river near the confluence of Indian Stream and the Connecticut River. What is Didymo? A rare diatom (type of algae) restricted to pristine lakes and streams of northern latitudes. In recent years, its reputation has changed. Didymosphenia geminata has been documented to form excessive growths in many streams and rivers of North America and has been introduced to New Zealand where it has had dramatic effects. While there have been many occurrences of didymo in the US and Canada, only New Zealand's rivers have had seriously threatening effects. The alga is also called rock snot.

The Dept of Environmental Services forwarded us a poster which we have printed and have put up long the river at fishing access points. While we have placed the posters in the trophy stretch to increase awareness, currently there are no reports of didymo in that section of river.

WE URGE EVERYONE FISHING BELOW TOWN TO FOLLOW THE CLEANING STEPS BEFORE FISHING THE TROPHY STRETCH OR THE RIVER ABOVE FIRST LAKE!

There are several ways of cleaning but the ways we think will be most practical for the on stream angler are spraying a solution of either bleach and water or better yet, dishwashing detergent and water, onto all fishing gear that has come into contact with the water. Cleaning your equipment; never a bad idea anyway. Other ways to kill didymo or stop its spread is hot water or thoroughly drying you equipment as it needs water to live.

Felt soled wading boots are big culprits. They do not dry out well. For this we will be setting aside some space in our shed with a large bucket. Just step in and step out of a 2% bleach and water solution.

This week we will be putting in our cabins a spray bottle with a dish soap and hope to put some along the river as well. The spray bottle will contain a 5% dish soap and water solution.

So what does this mean for the fishing? Currently not alot. Algae, in normal quantities, can be beneficial to invertebrate and aquatic life according to biologists. Excessive blooms of alga can be detrimental. Currently, our fishery is in great shape. Even effected spots south of town are fishing great and we are not in a 'bloom' state with the alga.

We ask for your help. Please clean your gear and/or let it dry out completely. Clean you equipment thoroughly after fishing the river below Lake Francis. Didymo is in Arkansas, Tennessee, Montana, South Dakota, Quebec, Alberta, Virginia, Calif, Colorado and beyond. It is important to do this cleaning between all rivers.

Thinking about a last minute trip north? Bookmark our last minute specials page! Specials vary change often so check back!

The fine print. Specials are for online reservations only and can not be applied to any current reservation. For our "last minute specials", reservations must be booked online only. Reservations are for last minute only and can not be booked for more than 5 days in advance.

Do you have a friend who would love it here? Has it been a while since you have visited the north Country? Our 2007 brochure is now available. Request one today for your friends or yourself and we will get it right out !

We hope to host you in 2007!

Build your dream vacation or permanent home on this spectacular lot boasting views of First Connecticut Lake and the mountains of Pittsburg. Moose are often seen on this land. Moose Alley is only a mile way; snowmobile trails are very close. Lake boat launch is very close. Spectacular lot in the best part of the CT Lakes Region. $200,000

For more information, contact Lisa at 603-538-9955 or 603-237-4400. Ray Davis Real Eastate, Colebrook NH