Wildcat River
river in New Hampshire
The Wildcat River, a tributary of the Ellis River, is a smaller, more secluded freestone stream renowned for its healthy population of native brook trout. It offers a classic small-stream fly fishing experience with challenging but rewarding fishing.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Clear skies and cooler temperatures
- 01Clear skies and cooler temperatures, but USGS flow data is unavailable.
- 02Active hatches of Autumn Caddis, Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs), and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) expected.
- 03Isonychia nymphs are actively drifting subsurface.
- 04Focus on deeper pools and lower reaches for Brown Trout; headwaters and pocket water for Brook Trout.
- 05Practice stealth and ensure natural drifts with nymphs and accurate presentations for dry flies to spooky fish.
Past reports week by week
3 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall (sizes #16-18), providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A reliable year-round streamer (sizes #6-8) that imitates leeches and baitfish, particularly effective in the colder fall waters for aggressive trout.
October Caddis
The largest caddis hatch of the year in the fall (sizes #8-10) and a substantial meal for hungry trout.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (BWO)
Matches the expected fall BWO hatches (sizes #18-20), excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Isonychia Dun
Isonychia are actively hatching in freestone rivers during the fall (sizes #14-16), making this a prime pattern for rising trout.
Muddler Minnow
An excellent fall streamer (sizes #6-8) that effectively imitates sculpins, a common food source for aggressive trout.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
An essential subsurface pattern (sizes #14-16) for mimicking active mayfly nymphs, especially relevant during fall BWO periods.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Carter Notch Road Crossings
Several bridge crossings and informal trails along Carter Notch Road offer access to wilder, upper sections.
Wildcat Ski Area Lower Sections
Access points near the base of Wildcat Mountain provide fishing in the lower, more accessible stretches.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Hill Country Guides
North Country Angler
Hill Country Guides
North Country Angler Fly Shop
Get Wildcat 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
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Quick answers
Common questions about Wildcat River.
What flies work best on Wildcat River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Wildcat River right now are Hendrickson Nymph (80% confidence), March Brown Dry (80% confidence), Mother's Day Caddis (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Wildcat River?
Wildcat River holds Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Wildcat River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Wildcat River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.