A Day on the Salmon River
Salmon River Angler
I’ve mentioned this small trout stream several times over the years. Fun spot. Now there are a zillion Salmon Rivers in the USA, so allow me to zero in. I’m referring to the Salmon River in Colchester, Connecticut. Its springs from the union of the Blackledge River and the Jeremy River. And then runs a few miles to the Connecticut River, through a forested landscape.
Recently I did a day on the Salmon River. The water level was low due to the lack of snow.
Salmon River Angler
When I was a kid, Connecticut averaged about 48″ of snow each winter. These days the average is 37″ inches, and this winter I figure we got upwards of a whopping 10″. Quite a drop!
Eight-foot or 8-foot 6, 4-weight fly rod is perfect, although a 9- foot rod is helpful for nymph fishing. Wading is not particular difficult and there is handicap access point roughly midway in the fly-fishing only area. Expect it to be crowded.
You’ll see the majority of anglers from a bit above the fly fishing only area, downstream to the picnic park a few hundred yard below the Comstock Covered Bridge. The state had stocked the Salmon River very well with some chunky trout. I saw several landed that were 15″ or larger and one angler reported releasing a 24″ trout the prior week. Yes a brood stock fish no doubt, but you gotta lover that. I did see a caddis hatch in the morning, but the best way to fish the river is subsurface. If the river is up with snow melt, streamers are effective. When it is low, like it is now, small nymphs rule. Hope to see you on the water.
