Complements of The Kittery Trading Post

September 22, 2008

This being the last Kittery Trading Post Fishing Report of the 2008 season, we’ll be concentrating on not so much what happened last week, but keying in on the opportunities for late season angling, in both the fresh and saltwater, inland and coastal areas. Because information is a bit sketchy as fishing pressure has dropped considerably, this report will be a bit more compact.
    
“If you’re fishing the freshwater lakes and ponds, much of your late-season success will depend on water temperature,” suggests Joe Hutter at Kittery Trading Post’s Fishing Department.
   
“In the spring, finding water temperatures a couple of degrees warmer than the rest of a lake’s water will often find you the fish, as baitfish and other organisms are very temperature oriented. In the fall, it’s just the same, as the lakes are cooling down and fish will again seek a warmer pool of water. This temperature not only supplies food sources but also invigorates the fish. Being cold-blooded creatures, fish react to their environmental temperature much more than warm-blooded animals.”
   
“One suggestion we have is to delay your getting on the water until the sun has had a chance to rise over the lake’s tree canopy along the shoreline. The shoreline water will generally be warmer than the deeper pool in the center of any lakes or ponds. Since the sun rises in the East, its rays will usually hit the water of the northern end of a lake sooner so the water there tends to warm fastest. But there is also the wind to take into consideration. The windward shore will just about universally be the warm shore, as warming surface water will flow from the direction of the wind onto the windward shore.
It makes a big difference,” Joe warns.
   
“Some days on small ponds, the eastern shorelines don’t warm up until mid-morning, so fishing that shoreline can result in a couple of very slow fishing hours! Once you start considering these factors, you’re going to see much more insect action in the warmer shorelines, much more evidence of baitfish feeding there and also there’s a good chance that you’ll also observe gamefish surface feeding.”
   
“This can be a great time to use surface fly-rod poppers if you are a fly fishing angler. Big dragonflies are often active along the warmer shorelines and panfish, bass and often-larger sizes of trout will be targeting those dragonflies. Also, dragon fly nymphs become active as the water warms. A dark colored wooly bugger fly is close enough to copying those big nymphs that it is a good choice for both bass and trout.”
   
“The warmest water of a lake may not be the ideal place to fish for landlocked salmon and lake trout, although you’ll find that they are more motivated to feed by the presence of smelt. Smelt are not as temperature sensitive as salmon and lake trout. Although they seek the cold water depths in the summer, in the fall as the water temperatures moderate but don’t really get cold, smelt will swarm onto some shallow areas where plankton and other food is available. When this happens, landlocks and lake trout are often right with them, feeding with abandon. This is a time to watch the gulls and other birds. Their feeding on wounded or dead smelt in a salmon and trout feeding spree will telegraph the fish’s presence.”
   
“Does water temperature have much to do with saltwater fall fishing? You’d better believe it does. In one outstanding instance, an outlet of a warmed-up tidal creek or tidal pond entering a colder river as the tide turns to go out can be one of the hottest spots to fish! Gamefish such as summer flounder, stripers and bluefish will often gather at these outlet mouths and have a feeding spree. Also, warm water discharges from power plants or other sources can be a magnet for both baitfish and game fish.”
   
“The fall changes in weather starts a southern migration for both stripers and bluefish as well as for winter flounder. Winter flounder are apt to move back inshore while the stripers and bluefish will be migrating south towards warmer waters where they will winter-over. Bluefin tuna also have a tendency to go south. Catching a migrating school of gamefish can be the most exciting time of a lifetime of fishing as migrating fish have more than travel on their minds. They are feeding very heavily to put on a source of energy to survive the winter. Along the coastline, topwater or swimming plugs cast into a feeding school of blues or stripers or a mixed group will almost always bring instant hook-ups.”
   
Joe says it’s a long, long winter and a short fall. “Don’t put that fishing gear away too soon. You might just be missing the best of the year. You’ll still have those long winter nights and short days to repair and replace your worn gear, tie flies and upgrade your lures,” he ended.
   
Maine: Master Maine Guide Stu Bristol of Lyman says that autumn fishing is often the best season, especially in the waters where Stu concentrates his late season fishing. “The freshwater section of the Saco River we fish, from Biddeford upriver to the Skelton Dam, has incredible fall scenery. The river is rimmed with colorful maples, oaks, ash and birch. In the placid areas of the river where reflections mirror the shoreline, you sometimes have to wonder which side is up! But the smallmouth bass and brown trout will quickly bring you back to reality, as they are both on a mission to gather body size to get them through the winter. It’s a great feeding time for them.”
   
“Another incident that can shatter the placid scene is when an Atlantic salmon clears the water unexpectedly. No one really knows the reason why Atlantics often take to the air, as they are proven not to be feeding when entering fresh water. But it’s sure a remarkable sight to witness.”
   
“Besides the autumnal beauty of the river, wildlife sightings are an everyday, common experience. Deer, moose, foxes, coyotes, wild turkeys and once in a while a grouse, will flush and fly across the river. You may even sight an otter, mink, fisher or bobcat and it’s just about a sure thing that you are going to be able to watch beaver and muskrats. The river corridor is often full of migrating songbirds and shorebirds, both the huge great blue herons and the smaller sand pipers and yellowlegs. And waterfowl are abundant as they are also in their migrations. What a way to spend an idyllic fall day!”
   
Dave Garcia at Naples Bait and Tackle at Long Lake in the Sebago Region is also an ardent bass tourney fisherman, often teaming up with his son Tyson. “We’ll both be putting our standings on the line when we finish up with the competition that runs a few more weeks. Right now we stand in the second spot in our group’s rankings, but we’re hoping for a shot at first place.”
   
“In the last few tourneys, we’ve concentrated on smallmouth bass and didn’t score that well. We’ll be after the largemouths from now on, using different technique and probably finding them in or around some kind of cover, not suspended over rock piles in twenty or thirty feet of water like the smallmouths have been.”
   
“Maine has extended fishing seasons, mostly catch-and-release for game fish, in many, actually most of the lakes and ponds locally. But there are other regulations that come into play. One in particular is the area located at the Station on the southerly end of Sebago Lake. This area selected for special regulations allows anglers to target landlocked salmon. But it’s catch-and-release and fly-fishing only. These restrictions allow anglers to take advantage of an area where historically, salmon have gathered in the late season.”
   
“Also, there are several rivers that allow late-season fishing. Some people say that Maine has over-regulated. We congratulate the state for making so many late-season opportunities available, even though you need to check the rules before you fish.”
   
We asked Dave where he will be fishing. “Around my new place in Florida,” he laughed.
   
Also in the Sebago Lake Region, Carroll Cutting at Jordan’s Store in East Sebago has some suggestions. “Our togue (lake trout) fishermen here on Sebago Lake have the most liberal fall fishing opportunities in the state. The new regulations allow for catch-and-keep togue fishing, along with catch-and-keep panfishing. The regulations prohibit targeting landlocked salmon after the season closes this week. Fishermen are encouraged to keep the togue they catch to reduce the fish’s overpopulation. These liberal rules passed in the last few years have a goal of less but larger togue and a more stable smelt population that supports both the togue and landlocked salmon fisheries.”
   
“Much of our local fishing will be shutting down as the regular season ends,” noted Ken Lemke at River’s Edge Sports in Oquossoc in the Rangeley Lakes Region. “But there are special regulations on some of our waters. Because they are all tailored for the individual water, you really need to check the rules before venturing out to fish.”
   
“All-in-all, we’ve had one of the most successful trout and salmon seasons of recent years, with the amount of rain keeping fish in our rivers much of the year.”

Here’s the last of the season report from Master Maine Guide Dan Legere at the Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville, in the Moosehead Lake region: “Well, the first day of Fall is upon us, the nights are cool and the fishing is excellent. Many of our ponds and rivers will be closed for the season so this week is a great opportunity to get in some of the last great fishing of the year. The East Outlet will be opened throughout the month of October for catch-and-release fishing only.”
           
“Fly selections haven't changed much over the last week. Fish are still chasing flashy marabou streamers. Remember in the river the color white is a sign of weakness and sickness for baitfish, which makes that color an excellent choice for fish looking for an easy meal. Nymphing is also an excellent way to catch even the pickiest of fish this time of year, experiment with different patterns and set ups, without a predominant insect hatch fish aren't necessarily keying in on anything in particular. This time of year fish are territorial and will sometimes chase anything that is in their area. Folks have also had some luck on the surface, with small dark caddis and tent wing caddis. Again, it’s all about territory, not really ‘matching the hatch.’ Have a great last week of fishing.” (Note that Dan’s comments are referring to last week.)

On Maine’s saltwater scene, Captain Barry Gibson of SALTWATER SPORTSMAN MAGAZINE fame said that he’d be shutting down his striper and bluefish guiding as the southward migrations of these fish will have moved most of these fish. “It was a tough year here in our area around Boothbay Harbor and the Kennebec River. The major schools of both stripers and blues that we normally see never made it this far north.”

“But that doesn’t mean that Maine doesn’t have some great late-season coastal opportunities. Along the shorelines of both Cumberland and York County, unless this fall is different than those past, there will be some of the largest stripers of the season taken and chances of getting into a genuine bluefish blitz are the best of the year. These fish are migratory. Smart coastal fishermen should also be,” he laughed.

“We’re ready for some serious late-season fishing, both coastal and offshore,” noted Craig Bergeron at Saco Bay Bait and Tackle. “Offshore the bluefin tuna, both giants and schoolies should be peaking. Unless the weekend storm sent the pelagic sharks south, we also should see a couple weeks of very active shark fishing.”

“This is fishing the beach-time for both stripers and bluefish. In the fall they’ll pretty much migrate along the shorelines so fishing both the rocky and sandy beaches could put you into some of the largest fish of the season. Swimming and topwater plugs will work while bait fishermen should stick with the old standards, clams or chunk mackerel and herring.”

Craig also said he’s looking forward to some post-coastal storm sea claming. “Last year we had a lot of storms but almost no clams washed up. We’ll be checking the beaches this fall and winter after every storm. It’s bound to happen sooner or later.”

New Hampshire: In New Hampshire’s far Northcountry, Cindy Caron Howe at Tall Timber Lodge in Pittsburg on Back Lake says that they’ve experienced some of the most incredible river fishing, especially on the Connecticut River, in years. “We’ve had so much water this year that the rivers have just filled up with fish moving up from the lakes. New Hampshire has very liberal fishing seasons on its big rivers, but there are many special regulation stretches of rivers, so it’s imperative that you know the rules for the stretch of river that you fish.”

Cindy has always liked the Trophy Stretch of the Connecticut, but also stated that the piece of river below Murphy Dam to the Town of Pittsburg always produces some huge brown trout in the late season and even during the winter. “Big streamer flies and Rapala-type swimming plugs work best there.”

“Our salmon and lake trout fishing on the big lakes shuts down October first, but there are many local ponds and rivers that do stay open for an extended period,” revealed Alan Nute at AJ’s Bait and Tackle in Meredith. “Some of the most exciting fishing in our local lakes and ponds that are open to late season fishing is for rainbow trout. Surface fishing with streamers and small swimming plugs work well. There are a lot of special regulation waters so you have to check before you fish.”

“The special Atlantic salmon fishing season on the Merrimack and areas of the Pemigewasset Rivers can be very exciting but you need a special permit to target these fish. Usually these special regulation waters get a fall stocking that makes for some exciting action. This is one of the few opportunities in the whole USA that offers fishing for Atlantics,” Alan ended.

“We’ve got a wonderful fall landlocked salmon fishing opportunity right nearby on the Merrymeeting River,” boasted Paul Garland at Hot Spot Outfitters in New Durham. “It’s catch-and-release, fly only water but that is kind of traditional for this kind of special fishing. At times this river will fill up with salmon that have spawning on their mind. This year, with all the rain we’ve had, we’d have to bet this will be a banner year on the river. Check your regulations!”

George Taylor at Taylor’s Trading Post in Madbury had to take time out from his big game processing to talk, so he made it brief. “The striper thing has really cooled off but there’s still some great river trout opportunities here at the Lamprey and Cocheco Rivers with late season fishing allowed. The crappie fishing here on the Bellamy Reservoir makes us wonder just how many fish can this place support. The fishing pressure has been pretty steady and limit catches are a daily thing. It’s amazing.”

George likes the nearby trout ponds, Barbados in Madbury, Stonehouse in Barrington and Lucas in Northwood for fall action. Bow Lake in Strafford is another pond to check out.

Coastal fishing, especially groundfish, will continue with quite a bit of interest, noted Jason MacKenzie at Suds-n-Soda Sports in Greenland. And there’s the coastal shoreline open-water smelt fishing that somehow travels under the radar of a lot of fishermen, according to Jason.

“We have our regular group of die-hard groundfishermen that will just about universally switch over to fishing on the late season party boats and they catch a ton of fish this time of year. Cod, haddock and especially those big fall ocean pollock provide plenty of action and good eating.”

“At night, you’re apt to find a group of smelt fishermen with their long poles and bobbers with spreader two-hook rigs baited with bits of worms fishing a few special places along the coastline. A few fishermen try the docks around Portsmouth’s Prescott Park or the Newcastle causeway and shoreline. A very popular spot is the Route 1A Bridge over Witches Creek (a.k.a. Seavey’s Creek) in Rye. Another popular spot is the Rye Harbor docks. Small bits of night crawlers, seaworms or grass shrimp work best. Bundle up as it gets pretty frosty around the shoreline on autumn nights,” he warns.

Massachusetts: Pete Santini at Fishing FINatics in Everett says that this time of year is really the start of the best fishing for most species in the Boston Harbor area and out on Stellwagon Bank. “We’re going to see some stripers of close to or at sixty pounds this year. It’s got to happen as we’ve had schools of pogies this year that won’t quit and the stripers and bluefish have been really putting on the weight feeding on them. Also, as the season progresses, we get a nice run of codfish that come into the North Channel and President’s Roads. Out on Stellwagon, the giant and schoolie bluefin tuna will be peaking. And we’ll also see quite a few flounder moving back into their regular haunts. It’s no time to quit,” he warned.

“We’ve already seen a big slowdown in fishing pressure,” was the word from Kay Moulton at Surfland on Plum Island. “But we’ve always had a nice run of stripers along the beaches here in the late season as well as schools of bluefish migrating. It’s a great time to be on the Merrimack River as the normal hustle and bustle of too many boaters just isn't here, but the fish often are,” she laughed.

Because of the inherent time restrictions of gathering fresh, up-to-date information, editing and producing this report in a timely manner, occasional errors or marginal information may slip by us. We try our hardest to provide accurate information. We urge readers to use this report as a tool to increase their fishing pleasure and not to rely on as their sole resource.  First or second hand information is offered by fishing guides, commercial fishing charters or party boats, bait and tackle dealers, well known successful anglers and state and federal fisheries and natural resource law enforcement officials. We also welcome and use reports forwarded to us by fishermen that use this report. (Thank you, Dick Pinney Kittery Trading Post Fishing Report Editor.)

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