Fly Fishing in New Hampshire: Guides and Outfitters

New Hampshire is a small state with an unusual amount of cold, clean moving water. The Connecticut River begins near the Canadian border, the Androscoggin runs through the North Country, and the Saco drains the White Mountains. Add hundreds of lakes and ponds, and you have some of the best fly fishing in New England within a few hours of Boston. This fly fishing NH guide covers where the best water is, what you need before you cast, and the local guides in our directory who can put you on fish.

Why hire a guide

Fly fishing rewards local knowledge more than almost any other outdoor sport. Water levels, insect hatches and the places fish hold change through the season and from year to year. A guide shortens the learning curve: they know which pools are fishing, what flies are working and how to read water you have never seen. For a first trip, many guides also teach casting and provide equipment. For experienced anglers, a day with a guide is the fastest way to learn a new river.

The Great North Woods: Pittsburg and the Connecticut Lakes

The top of the state is New Hampshire's best-known fly fishing destination. Pittsburg is the largest town by area in New England and the northernmost town in New Hampshire. The Connecticut Lakes, a chain of lakes along the headwaters of the Connecticut River, lie within its boundaries, reached by the northernmost stretch of U.S. Route 3 toward the Canadian border. The river itself rises just south of the border with Quebec, then begins its 406-mile run to Long Island Sound.

The water between and below the lakes is the draw: cold river stretches and big lakes holding trout and landlocked salmon. Several guides are based here.

• North Country Fishing Guides is a licensed Pittsburg guide for trout and landlocked salmon on the Connecticut Lakes.
• Indian Stream Fly Fishing is another Pittsburg-based fly fishing guide service on this water.

Pittsburg is remote. Plan on several hours of driving from southern New Hampshire, limited cell service in places and few services after dark. That remoteness is the point: the fishing is less crowded than in more accessible water to the south.

The Androscoggin: Errol and Gorham

The Androscoggin River runs 178 miles through New Hampshire and Maine. In New Hampshire, it flows south from Errol through Berlin to Gorham, then turns east into Maine. The upper river near Errol is a well-known trout and salmon fishery, and Gorham sits at the edge of the White Mountains.

• Top Notch Fly Fishing is a fly fishing guide based in Errol.
• Dan's Fly Shop and Guide Service is a fly shop and guide service in Gorham, a useful stop for local flies and advice even if you are fishing on your own.

The Mount Washington Valley: the Saco

The Saco River drains the eastern White Mountains through Bartlett and Conway before crossing into Maine. It is easy to reach and fits well into a trip built around hiking or a stay in North Conway.

• Fly Fish NH is a Conway-based fly fishing guide service.

West-central New Hampshire: Newport and the Sugar River area

Not every good trip requires driving to the border. 3D-Fishing Guides is based in Newport in western New Hampshire, closer to the Lake Sunapee area and the Connecticut River valley towns, and a practical option for anglers coming from the south.

Fishing on your own versus with a guide

Plenty of anglers fish New Hampshire on their own, and the state makes that easy: public access points, well-marked roads along the major rivers and a clear set of published rules. Fishing alone works best when you already know how to read moving water and can adapt when the fish are not where you expected them. A guide earns their fee in three situations. The first is a first trip to a new river, when a day of local knowledge saves several days of trial and error. The second is learning to fly fish, when casting instruction and a patient teacher make the difference between frustration and a fish on the line. The third is a short trip, when you have one or two days and want to spend them fishing productive water instead of searching for it. Many anglers book a guide for the first day of a trip and then fish on their own for the rest, using what they learned.

Before you go: licenses and rules

• License. Anyone 16 or older needs a New Hampshire fishing license. Licenses are sold online through New Hampshire Fish and Game.
• Rules vary by water. Some New Hampshire waters are designated fly-fishing-only, and some have catch-and-release or special size and creel limits. Seasons also differ between lakes, ponds and rivers. Check the current Fish and Game freshwater fishing digest for the specific water you plan to fish.
• Ask your guide. A licensed guide will know the rules for the water they fish and will usually tell you what to bring.

Fishing by season

Spring. Ice-out on northern lakes is a classic time for landlocked salmon, and rivers come alive as water warms. Early-season rivers can run high and cold with snowmelt, so a guide's read on conditions is especially valuable.

Summer. Hatches peak and long evenings make for good dry-fly fishing. In hot spells, cold tailwaters and northern rivers fish better than warm, shallow water to the south.

Fall. Cooler water and fall color make this a favorite season in the North Country. Check seasonal regulations, since some waters close or change rules in the fall.

Winter. Most fly fishing pauses, though some waters stay open. Check the digest.

What to bring

• A valid New Hampshire fishing license.
• Layers and rain gear. Northern weather changes fast, even in summer.
• Polarized sunglasses and a hat.
• Insect repellent for late spring and early summer in the North Country.
• Your own rod and waders if you have them. Ask your guide what they provide.

River etiquette

Good manners matter on popular water. Give other anglers plenty of room, and ask before stepping into a pool someone is already fishing. Park only where it is allowed, close gates and stay off private land unless you have permission. If you release fish, wet your hands, keep the fish in the water as much as possible and let it recover before it swims away. Pack out everything you bring, including tippet scraps, which can tangle birds and other wildlife. A guide will model all of this, and it is one more reason a first trip with one is worth it.

Planning a trip

Pair your fishing with a stay nearby. In Pittsburg, lodging is spread along Route 3 near the lakes. In Gorham and Conway, you have more choices and easy access to the rest of the White Mountains. Book guides well ahead for the busiest weeks, and confirm details directly with them.

FAQ

Where is the best fly fishing in New Hampshire?

The Connecticut Lakes and upper Connecticut River in Pittsburg are the best known, followed by the Androscoggin near Errol and Gorham and the Saco in the Mount Washington Valley.

Do I need a fishing license in New Hampshire?

Yes, if you are 16 or older. Licenses are sold online by New Hampshire Fish and Game.

What fish can you catch fly fishing in New Hampshire?

Trout and landlocked salmon are the main targets in northern rivers and lakes.

Do fly fishing guides provide equipment?

Many do, especially for beginners. Ask when you book.

Sources

• Connecticut Lakes, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Lakes
• Pittsburg, New Hampshire, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburg,_New_Hampshire
• Connecticut River, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_River
• Androscoggin River, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androscoggin_River
• Saco River, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saco_River
• New Hampshire Fish and Game, licensing and fishing rules: https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/licensing
• North Country Fly Shop: https://northcountryflyshop.com