Ryan Daniel Photography
THE MOST ICONIC HATCH IN THE EAST Alder Flies on the Androscoggin River By Dominic Lentini
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indows down and drift boat in tow, we drove through Pinkham Notch. It was one of those lucky days when our boss let us leave work early to fish the evening hatch. I tried to focus while sitting at my desk, but, trout. One hour and 20 minutes later we put the boat in the water. Next, the rods went in the boat. Then, food and gear was stowed away. Our most important cargo? Carter’s 13-year-old chocolate lab, Camo. No one loves fishing more than him. We tied on dry flies. It’s what we were there to fish. But we were a few days too early for the hatch we wanted. No flying bugs and no takers from below. Maybe a wet fly under the surface? Joe’s line went tight within minutes. After he released a beautiful little rainbow, he wasted no time landing two more. Then, my line went tight—but only for a few seconds. A bad hookset. It happens. After the fourth one, though, it becomes frustrating. Determined to break my streak of missed fish, I lined up a perfect cast. It was that rare moment when your line does exactly what you were asking. Landing in a pocket the size of my bathroom sink, it immediately went tight. After a strong tug, I knew it was a big fish. Despite the best efforts of my drag, the fish ran straight downstream when Carter dropped anchor. Then, the line went slack. It goes like that sometimes. Running from Errol, New Hampshire for 178 miles until it joins the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay in Maine, the Androscoggin River—specifically its upper section from Errol to Berlin—is regarded as one of the finest trout fisheries in the east.
Entomart photo
Klementovich photo
46 MWVvibe.com
