Pemigewasset River
river in New Hampshire
Flows south out of Franconia Notch and through Plymouth and Campton; offers pocket water, long runs and spring-fed tributaries that sustain trout throughout warm months.
What's working on Pemigewasset River
- 01Excellent fishing conditions in early October on the Pemigewasset River.
- 02Air temperatures are around 48°F with mostly clear skies.
- 03Anticipate intermittent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) and Mahogany Dun hatches.
- 04Subsurface midge activity is consistently strong.
- 05Egg patterns are crucial due to Landlocked Salmon spawning activity.
- 06Focus on deeper runs, pools, and current seams, especially near Lincoln and North Woodstock.
- 07Implement slow presentations for nymphs and streamers in cooler water.
- 08Consider dry-dropper rigs with a BWO dry and a small nymph for varied opportunities.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A robust and versatile searching nymph that imitates a variety of aquatic insects active year-round, especially in deeper or off-color water.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer that imitates leeches and baitfish, highly effective in cooler fall waters for aggressive trout and salmon.
Mohogany Dun
Late summer and fall often see hatches of Paraleptophlebia (Mahogany Duns), providing dry fly opportunities for rising fish.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
An essential nymph pattern, particularly effective during fall BWO periods when nymphs are active subsurface.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Fall is prime egg season for trout below spawning Landlocked Salmon, which are present in the Pemigewasset River.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source for trout year-round, and this weighted nymph is highly effective in colder fall water and tailwater sections.
Buy at AmazonBlack Ghost Streamer
A historically effective streamer pattern for migrating Landlocked Salmon in fall, and also an excellent attractor for trout.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Fall BWO hatches are expected, especially on overcast days, making this low-profile dry fly excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Where to fish and who to ask
Campton / Route 49 Access
Trusted public access with varied holding water—riffles, pools and pocket water good for nymphs and dries.
Franconia Notch / Lincoln Woods Trailhead
Upper watershed reaches with cool, fast water and excellent brook trout habitat.
Plymouth / Main Street Bridge
Urban access with quality riffles and deeper holding water below bridge structures.
Fly shops within 40 miles
White Mountain Anglers
TBC Guides
Hill Country Guides
North Country Angler
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New Hampshire season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Pemigewasset River.
What flies work best on Pemigewasset River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Pemigewasset River right now are Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph (80% confidence), March Brown Dry (80% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Pemigewasset River?
Pemigewasset River holds Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Pemigewasset River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Pemigewasset River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.