Rivers & Resources

Where We Fish
Androscoggin River Trips

The Androscoggin River is a large river that is best fished from a drift boat although wading is possible in certain areas of the river. The fly fishing only section, just below the dam in Errol, is excellent water for wading and is your best location to reliably find land locked salmon as well as the more numerous trout species. The most popular time to fish the Andro is during the alder fly hatch which usually occurs sometime between mid-June and early July. Mid to late September water temperatures will cool down and provide good trout fishing opportunities after the summer warmup.

Farther down the river, below the Pontook Dam, there is excellent smallmouth bass water and trout can also be present.

Because the Andro is such a broad river it is a great place for fishing with two-handed rods. The wading angler can reach more water using trout spey techniques on the Andro than anglers using a single-hand rod. (Instruction and loaner gear provided.)

Inquire about mid-June and late September drift boat trips for trout or smallmouth in the Thirteen Mile Woods region of New Hampshire.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing on the Merrimack River

Take a drift boat trip or wade fish for smallmouth bass on the Merrimack Rivers. With several long stretches of the river only accessible by boat, the Merrimack’s upper reaches are excellent for smallmouth bass fishing on the fly.

If wade fishing is more to your liking, we can fish the Merrimack in the Concord area.

When the trout waters become too warm for cold water fishing the bass fishing will just be heating up. Bass activity increases with the rising water temperatures and their eagerness to hit surface flies will make for a fun filled day of fighting fish. Don’t sit out some prime fly fishing because of hot weather and warm water.

The Merrimack is also a great river for practicing trout- spey or fishing with two-handed rods.

The White Mountain National Forest

We can always find wild, native, beautifully colored brook trout in the cool waters of the White Mountain National Forest. In July and August when other rivers warm up, let us show you where the natives live and are willing to attack your dry fly!

Southern NH Streams and Rivers

Early in the fishing season trout fishing can be excellent in various streams including the Souhegan, Contoocook, Piscataquog, Sugar, and Newfound rivers. Smallmouth bass fishing can also be found later in the season in the Contoocook and Merrimack Rivers. These southern waters begin fishing well in mid-to-late April and typically continues into mid-to-late June.

Upper Connecticut River

Located in the Great North Woods of New Hampshire around the Pittsburg area is the tailwater fisheries of the Connecticut River. This area includes 2.5 miles of the trophy stretch below the First Connecticut Lake dam and the general regulations area below the Murphy dam below Lake Francis. Swing streamers or nymphs throughout the season or try dry fishing from May through October to rising trout including the best brown trout fishing in the state.

Fly Shops

We highly recommend some of the best fly shops in New England which specialize in friendly, personal service and local knowledge:

Concord Outfitters is in the western suburbs of Boston in Concord, MA. They are truly a full service fly shop that is well-stocked with fly fishing gear and tying materials. Owner Andy Bonzagni is friendly, knowledgeable and will go out of his way to point you in the right direction. And you can’t go wrong with their trips to the best fly fishing destinations in the world.

Stone River Outfitters in Amherst, NH, is an easy ten-minute detour off route 3 on your way from Greater Boston to points north in NH and VT. Well-stocked with quality gear, it also a good place to get some fly tying tips. Say “hi” to Dan and Nate for us.