NEKF Outing in NH's Connecticut Lakes Region

[Lefty]

Great pics Mark!! That's some beautiful water up there!!

[NH Explorer]

What can I add to Marks report?? Not a lot just a view from a different set of eyes. I left the house about 5 Friday morning and met Mark and Bigboy over in Tilton about 6. Bigboy had the long drive, all the way up from Newburyport. We headed north and it didn't take long until we hit rain. From then on, all weekend was on again off again.

After a stop at Dunks in Colebrook we pulled into camp around 9:30 where yakbutt and ScottinME immediately came out to see if they could help any of us set up camp. We started to set up , getting the EZ-up in place just before the rain started. We decided that we would hold off trying to set up the tents until the rain let up. I asked Mark and when I found out he hadn't seen moose before I asked if he wanted to go see some. He was kind of skeptical until two minutes into our excursion we found our first bull to photograph. We took a short excursion or two each day and in probably 2 hours total of hunting and saw 3 bulls, 5 cows, 4 yearlings, 4 deer, 2 turkeys, 2 rabbits, and a woodchuck in the campground......(sounds best when repeated to the tune of "Partridge in a Pear Tree") .

The rain let up, we all got our camps set up, then headed to the river inlet to Lake Francis. It was beautiful with a little fog now and then mixed with some light showers. There were some chubs being caught but I can't say I saw anyone catching trout or salmon. That's OK though because we all stayed close trying different things and sharing experiences.

Saturday morning Mark and I went to a fly casting seminar being presented by Lopstick Lodge. I had met Lisa and Tim Savard, the owners, on previous trips but got to know them a little better this time. They are both Orvis endorsed guide. One of their young guides, Jason Busfield led the flycasting seminar and Lisa assisted in portions. Jason talked me through many new concepts and while he was working with others, Mark would help me stay on track. And then there was the thrill of catching a big old wise fish out of their practice pond. That had my heart thumping for sure as they cheered me on bringing it in on a barbless hook. What a blast. Thanks again to Tim, Lisa, and Jason.......I enjoyed every minute of it.

We went up and tied in with the rest of the group at Third Lake and did a bunch more fishing with very little catching. I think Scott was the only one of us that caught anything but we did see that a couple of guys out in a boat got a Laker. Anyway, it was time to go back to camp and eat....and eat it was.

Scott's wife, Sister-in-law, and daughter had already prepared a bunch of stuff, Yakbutt and Brenda had more, Bigboy had an ice chest full of food and we just kept the grills going until we were stuffed. Now this is what group camping is all about. After dinner, Rick (yakbutt) and Mark got me back out on the grass with a fly rod coaching me through more practice. Scott wanted to show his family some moose so we all gave him directions to our "secret spots". When they came back, you should have seen his daughters eyes with reports of having seen 6 moose. We went to bed Saturday night to the sound of thunder with the flashing going on all around us.

Sunday morning we packed up, said good-bye to all and headed for more fishing. The bigger lakes were pretty chopped up from the wind so we headed for a small flyfishing only pond that turned out to be in a semi wind protected valley. We broke out the small kayaks and headed out. I had a blast. Every cast I could tell myself what I had done wrong but every once in a while I would lay down a really nice one. Its really different sitting in the kayak than standing up. Mark was laughing about how I was chasing the fish away flogging the water the way I was....but it got better. I even had a fish swirl at my fly one or two times. That time of being out there flyfishing (or flogging) really helped build my confidence a bunch but Mark cautioned that I might not be quite ready to challenge Lefty at the Shootout.

But the time came to call it a day and head for home....a great trip with great memories and new skills. Thanks to all for getting together for such a good time and a special thanks to all who helped me get going with flyfishing. Here are a few more picture.

[NH Explorer]

A few more

[NH Explorer]

More Photos....I'm glad this wasn't rolls of film to develop.

[NH Explorer]

The last few

[Joe]

That looks like great fun...only way 'i'd ever get up there is in a RV

[Mark]

Great pics Roger!

Have to say thanks again to everyone that made the trek. It really made the weekend that much more memorable.

Joe, there are cabins aplenty that can be rented.

[bigboy]

mark could you point me in the right direction to check on columbia fishing shirt roger had i tried a search but with my skills not so good results still havent unpacked my truck yet

[Mark]

click me
I unloaded the Jeep all over the garage. The stuff should be dry in a couple days so I can put it away & load back up for yakfest

[capestriper]

Sounds like a great trip, wish I could have made it.

[ScottinMaine]

Thanks for taking and posting all the pictures Mark and Roger. It was a good weekend to have a waterproof camera, I didn't have mine out much. I had a great time. Sure was nice paddling the 3 lakes I got out on. Nice seeing all the wildlife also. Would have been nice if the fish cooperated but was a good time anyway. Those salmon and trout don't stay on the hook as well as bass and stripers, I hooked 3 good fish but all I landed was a few Chubbs . Thanks Rick for the advice and for organizing the trip.

It was my first trip for Salmon, it won't be my last.

[yakbutt]

Hey all,

Thanks for sharing the awesome pics. I took a few of my own, but will put some up of the yakkin', and simply say that as I've said so many times, when it comes to fishing the Pittsburg area, either you hit it, or you don't. I was hopeful that the water levels would have continued to drop throughout the course of the week, and that the rain would have been minimal. But once again, the fickle northern New England weather took it's toll on the angling. A common saying in these parts is "You can plan on everything... but the weather".
All in all, it was a great trip! It was a pleasure meeting all who were there. But mostly, it was great to see my Darlin' (Brenda) take her first few paddle strokes. She took to yakking and fishing from the yak like a natural. This was also her first experience with a spinning reel. And within moments no one could tell. (Can you tell that I'm very proud of her?) Here's a good pic of Brenda paddling...


Yep, looks like a natural to me! You get 'em, Baby!

Mark seemed really comfy as he trolled... hands free... Gonna think seriously about a Hobie as the next addition to the Yakbutt/Brenda fleet. Thanks Mark... (I think) Hehehe...



Roger's Tarpon 160i is a mirror image of ours. He really helped me to understand our T-160i before it's maiden voyage. Thanks Roger, your thoughts and feelings about the yak were right on. And your suggestions really helped me to be instantly comfortable in the yak.





Scott probably saw more fish action then all of us put together, hooking up several times with fish, only to have them throw the lures just before the net. Poor guy was exhausted. Here he is taking a well deserved break...


BB, (BigBoy) seemed to really enjoy himself as he did several long, slow laps around 3rd Lake. Poor guy threw every conceivable lure at them, everything but... no wait... I think I did see the kitchen sink. Next time, BB...


If only the fish would have been as plentiful as the moose, we'd have been all set. If they'd been a numerous as the skeeters, we'd never had left.
I have a sneaking suspicion that everyone was somehow touched by the pristine beauty of the area, the solace that we were able to find on the water, even though we were in a group. I'd like to return to the area someday, hopefully soon. As I was saying during the BBQ, I'd like to put a trip together late in the fall salmon season and target a favorite area on 1st Lake. Springtime is always tricky because of the uncooperative nature of the weather. The fall salmon run is a little more reliable. I'll be posting on this later, and would be happy to put a trip together if there's interest.
Finally, I'd like to thank everyone, Mark, Roger, BB, Scott, Terry, Jocelyn, and my Darlin' Brenda for making this a great time, and giving Brenda and I many fond memories. Looking forward to more, and to visiting the coast.

YB

[capestriper]

Did anyone make it to Scott Bog, Coon brook bog or any of the other smaller ponds? Those places are the ones that always make my trip.

[NH Explorer]

Scott Bog was one of the options thrown out for Sunday morning but was the opposite direction of heading home. With the weather looking as it did and wind picking up we instead checked out lower Lake Francis which was pretty stirred up, took a peek at Back Lack which was looking the same, then decided on Moose Pond. I will definitely be looking at Scott Bog next trip up there. I think I like the smaller lakes better. This being 20 feet off shore and in 60 feet of water is weird to my fishing knowledge. Give me the shallower.

[bigboy]

Did someone say fall maybe? I might be up for that if i can get the time. Yes i did through the kitchen sink at them what people will do when they get desperate Lets face it i was desperate but still had a great time cabin sounds good next time though.nice pics rick.