WRITING ON THE FLY
By GEORGE LISET
Salmon season opened April 1 on the big lakes and fly fishers were anxious to try their luck, or skill, depending on what camp you are in. It was a beautiful day in that I could still feel my feet and fingers after being in the water for a while. I was fishing one of the more popular tributaries that flow into Winnipesaukee.
I had fished this river all winter, without much luck, and had it to myself most of the time. Today was different because of the appearance of spawning fish. Trout and Suckers were spawning and other fish would be close behind looking for a free egg dinner. I was hanging my hat on that.
I had my 10-foot, 5 weight Douglas fly rod. I use it as my go-to Nymphing rod. Today I had tied on a size 18 Tungsten Pheasant Tail Nymph with a size 20 Pink Egg dropper. Since the flow of the river was manageable, I didn’t need to add extra weight to get my flies down on the bottom. Ten minutes into drifting my flies down-stream I managed to hook a nice 14” rainbow trout. The trout was colorful and heavy, which meant it probably just got into the river. The trout had taken the egg pattern which was a good sign.
I was now on the board and could relax a little. I kept working my way up the river using the same two flies. Forty-five minutes later I hooked a nice 16-inch salmon, again on the egg pattern. I didn’t want to press my luck, or skill, but I continued up the river. While I was fishing, other anglers were occasionally walking up the trail behind me and asking if I was having any luck.
So when it happened again I didn’t think anything about it. Without turning back, I mentioned that I had caught a nice rainbow and salmon. He replied, “Nice, can I see your flies and your license?” I quickly turned around and noticed the New Hampshire Fish and Game officer.
I laughed and said I did not recognize him because he did not have his red jacket on. The officer laughed and said that the red jacket was his fall outfit.
As I was showing the officer my license and hooks, which need to be crimped until the fourth Saturday of April, since the river was a catch and release stretch, I recognized his name on his uniform. With a smile I said, “I know you!”
“So you have seen the show,” he replied, referring to the show “North Woods Law.”
I told him I’m a big fan and have an even bigger appreciation for what you guys do.
Conservation Officer Ronald Arsenault talked about his work and the show. I told him I have had a few friends who have been on the TV show “American Pickers” and knew that for television purposes there is a lot of staging that goes on.
Officer Aresenault mentioned that in North Woods Law, what you see is what you get. The television crew goes on a ride along and if they get some good footage, they go back for interviews.
Relieved that my license and flies passed muster and that I wasn’t going to be that guy on the next episode, we talked about the fishing. Officer Arsenault gave me a few suggestions as to some lesser fished spots in the area and then he headed off down-stream to check in on other fly fishers.
I fished for about an hour more. I caught a big Sucker and a small Dace and called it another great day on the river.
George Liset of Dover is an 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.