Swift River
river in New Hampshire
The Swift River is a scenic freestone river flowing through the White Mountain National Forest, offering excellent fly fishing for stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Its varied character, from swift runs to deep pools, provides engaging fishing throughout the season.
River flow last 30 days
Swift River currently at 543 cfs
- 01Swift River currently at 543 cfs, running high and cold.
- 02Active Autumn Caddis and Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches expected.
- 03Focus on slower seams, current breaks, and deep pools for trout in higher flows.
- 04Prioritize weighted nymphs and streamers for subsurface presentations.
- 05Blood Dot Egg is a key pattern for opportunistic trout during fall spawning.
Past reports week by week
5 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis
The autumn caddis hatch is a significant event in fall, providing a substantial meal for trout.
Olive Woolly Bugger
A reliable year-round streamer, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, particularly as water temperatures cool in fall.
Sparkle Dun
Mimics emerging Blue-Winged Olives, which are active during fall hatches, especially when trout are keying on insects in the film.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
A classic nymph that imitates various mayfly nymphs, highly effective subsurface, especially during active BWO periods in fall.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
A low-profile dry fly that imitates adult BWOs, effective for selective trout rising to this prevalent fall hatch.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a consistent food source, particularly as water temperatures drop in fall and winter, making this a go-to subsurface pattern.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
Crucial during the fall when trout (especially brown and brook trout) are spawning or feeding below spawning fish, targeting opportunistic feeders.
Buy at AmazonJujubaetis
A highly effective Baetis nymph imitation, perfect for targeting trout feeding on the abundant BWO nymphs in the Swift River during fall.
Buy at AmazonMuddler Minnow
A versatile streamer that imitates sculpins and baitfish, excellent for enticing aggressive strikes from larger trout in colder, faster water.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Big Rock Campground Area
Public access points around Big Rock Campground, known for good pockets and deeper water.
Covered Bridge Access (Conway)
Easy access near the historic Swift River Covered Bridge, offering a mix of runs and pools popular with anglers.
Lower Falls Area
Below the popular swimming area, this section offers good flows and varied structure for trout.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Hill Country Guides
North Country Angler
The Swift River Ghillie
Hill Country Guides
Get Swift River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
New Hampshire season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Quick answers
Common questions about Swift River.
What flies work best on Swift River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Swift River right now are Hendrickson (80% confidence), March Brown (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 Swift River?
Swift River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Swift River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Swift River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Swift River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Swift River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.