If you’ve never tried fly fishing (https://www.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/fishing.html), you might not understand why it has such a powerful hold on some people. You might be puzzled as to why fly fishing inspires poems and stories in a way few other activities do. Or why otherwise hardened, grizzled outdoorsmen will suddenly talk in great romantic terms of how fly fishing feels like an almost spiritual experience.
That all might be lost on you . . . until you actually try fly fishing.
As you’re standing waist-deep in a clear, pristine river as it ripples over rocks and sparkles in the sunlight, rhythmically and patiently casting large loops of line overhead, surrounded by pure, silent, remote wilderness, and your line suddenly tightens with the pull of a salmon or trout, that is when you’ll understand the magic that is fly fishing.
Home to an impressive collection of lakes, ponds and rivers, the North Country is one of the best places for fly fishing in the eastern U.S. While the region is home to great fly fishing in the spring and summer, many anglers feel that autumn is when it is at its very best. That’s when cool, crisp air and brilliant fall foliage make it a pleasure to be outside. It’s also when colder temperatures make the region’s fish much more active.
Perhaps no one knows about fly fishing in the North Country better than Bill Bernhardt. A fly fishing guide with Lopstick (http://business.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/list/member/the-cabins-at-lopstick-pittsburg-118), Bernhardt says this is the time of year when the region’s small streams, large rivers and backcountry ponds really come alive with fish activity. Among the best places are the Androscoggin River in Errol and the upper Connecticut River between North Stratford and Pittsburg.
While the region has a variety of fish for anglers to catch in autumn, many people target brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. Bernhardt says brook trout and landlocked salmon are particularly active in the fall, as they begin moving as part of their pre-spawn activity, and they feed readily on all types of flies, such as dries, nymphs and streamers.
If you’re planning to fish the North Country this fall, make sure to bring layers of clothing, as temperatures can be cool this time of year. Also, it’s a good idea to wear orange, as hunting season begins October 1.
If you’ve never tried fly fishing, don’t worry. You don’t need years of experience. In fact, you don’t need any experience at all. Get a local guide like Bernhardt who can show you proper technique and teach you the nuances of fly fishing. You don’t even need equipment, as many North Country outfitters can provide you with the gear you need.
Of course, hiring a guide is a good idea even if you do have years of experience. Expert guides can take the guesswork out of fishing the region as they know where the best fishing is and how to target select species.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date information on the region’s fishing scene, be sure to stop by a local fly shop. Places like Lopstick (http://business.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/list/member/the-cabins-at-lopstick-pittsburg-118), Treats and Treasures (http://business.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/list/member/treats-and-treasures-1646), Tall Timber Lodge (http://business.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/list/member/tall-timber-lodge-pittsburg-114) and Ducret’s Sporting Goods (http://business.chamberofthenorthcountry.com/list/member/ducret-s-sporting-goods-llc-colebrook-40) will give you valuable insight.