I was chatting with someone at the fly fair and we ended up expounding the virtues of smallmouth bass on a fly for 30 minutes. It occurred to me that we have not had a much-talked about bronzeback clave yet.
When I was younger, we spent a lot of late spring days catching dozens of bronzebacks in the NH lakes region thinking it was the best fishery in the world. Judging by the popularity of bass-kissin' Jimmees on ESPN lately, it's right up there with the best.
I've got quite a bit of experience with it actually, from those years when a friend put us up in his cottage thru the first couple years when I had a car... at least in one particular area of the lakes region anyway.
Hopefully we will be able to turn away from the fresh arrival of stripers for even a day trip to the Lakes Region for this incredible fishery available for Northeast Region Forum folks.
The best angling takes place typically in the first week of June or end of May. A bit later on Maine lakes, mid-June.
Boats are required, but canoes are plenty. Kayaks, fine. Smaller motor boats are the best choice, and there are rentals available.
6wt, 7wt, 8wt - are all fine. (9'ers are a little heavy but some will make you wish you had it) Floating line, sinking for some spots but not necessary.
Campsites are plentiful nearby, as are cheap lodgings. I might be able to get a free campsite on the water (TBD) from a friend.
I am equally susceptible to striper mania and it's hard to pull away but I hope we can do the bronzeback thing this year!
Juro
When I was younger, we spent a lot of late spring days catching dozens of bronzebacks in the NH lakes region thinking it was the best fishery in the world. Judging by the popularity of bass-kissin' Jimmees on ESPN lately, it's right up there with the best.
I've got quite a bit of experience with it actually, from those years when a friend put us up in his cottage thru the first couple years when I had a car... at least in one particular area of the lakes region anyway.
Hopefully we will be able to turn away from the fresh arrival of stripers for even a day trip to the Lakes Region for this incredible fishery available for Northeast Region Forum folks.
The best angling takes place typically in the first week of June or end of May. A bit later on Maine lakes, mid-June.
Boats are required, but canoes are plenty. Kayaks, fine. Smaller motor boats are the best choice, and there are rentals available.
6wt, 7wt, 8wt - are all fine. (9'ers are a little heavy but some will make you wish you had it) Floating line, sinking for some spots but not necessary.
Campsites are plentiful nearby, as are cheap lodgings. I might be able to get a free campsite on the water (TBD) from a friend.
I am equally susceptible to striper mania and it's hard to pull away but I hope we can do the bronzeback thing this year!
Juro