Fly Fishing Lessons in New Hampshire: The Swift River

Swift River Facts

Location:  New Hampshire. Google Maps:  http://goo.gl/maps/MvEeH
Fishing Season: April to October.  Please visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/
Licensed Required: Yes, general fishing only.

Floating:  No. Walk-Wade. Wet-Wading in summer.

Entrance Fee:  No.

Camping: Yes.  Private and Public, throughout the Mt. Washington Valley.

Length: +/- 25.6 Miles.

Origin:  Kancamagus Pass, near Livermore, NH.
Termination:  Saco Rver.  Saco then flows to the Atlantic Ocean.

Fly Rods: 1wt-4wt during mid/late summer. Perhaps, with high water, 5wt-6wt early spring.

Fly Lines:  90% Floating.  10% Sink.  

Flies:  Fish are not picky, but we only share this information with our FCFF clients.  

Late August = You must find deep cold water, with lots of structure and flow!

The Swift River is located in the White Mountain National Forest and runs along side one of the most scenic and traveled roads, the Kancamagus Highway.  In the upper reaches of the Swift, you can expect to find wild Brook Trout.  In the middle and lower sections you'll find stocked Rainbows and Brown Trout (you can also expect to find lots of people).

Due to heavy pressure from tourist, swimmers, worm-bobber fisherman, I selectively fish this river and despite what many books say about this river, it is not on the top of my list.  But, from time to time, I will stop at certain locations and wet the line.  Why?  Did you see the below photo yet?

The reasons why you want to fish the Swift River:
    

• Fish:  Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout.
• Location:  A short drive from North Conway, NH. You don't want to walk/hike for hours/days. You want to drive, park and fish within a short distance of your car.
• Experience:  Parts of the Swift can get very crowded with swimmers/tourist and worm-bobber anglers.  But, if you fish it during off season, with the right water flow conditions, the fishing can be good.
• Size: You want to fish a river that lends itself to short cast and delicate presentations. 
• Structure:  You want a river loaded with rocks, boulders, and small picturesque pools. 
• Scenery:  You want New England hardwoods, mountains, wild animals. 

I can't emphasize enough the need to fish cold deep water!

How to Fish the Swift River

Option A:  If you are too busy and don't have time to plan/research, etc., FCFF would be happy to guide you.

Option B:  DIY (Do it Yourself).  If you plan to fish the Swift River on your own, a helpful resource is a book called Field Guide to Trout Streams of New Hampshire. http://www.fieldguidesnh.com/troutstream.html  This book doesn't offer specific angling tips, but it does provide exact locations where you can pull off, park and fish. Also, on each page, you'll find topographical maps in the book.  I find the combination of this book and the NH Atlas & Gazetteer, works best for me. http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=234&section=10096&forge_prod=77XHuVfO0mR45isN3pAjnmLQ:S&forge_prod_pses=forge_prod%3D77XHuVfO0mR45isN3pAjnmLQ%253AS~

Tips: 

• Throughout the year, find cold water (especially during the summer months).
• Find fast moving water (FYI, rainbows love fast water). Fish the seam between fast and slow water.
• Find pools and pockets that are at least 5ft deep = prime real estate for fish.
• Find large rocks/boulders = wild brook trout love to hide-hide-hide = you have to put your fly as close to the rocks as possible. 
• Move...keep moving!  When weather conditions are warm, water is low, you need to find fish located in cold, deep water. The further you fish away from the parking areas, the better the fishing is! 
• Time your fishing before and after the holiday bathers/swimmers.  Fish above and below known swimming holes/fish pools.  

Caught on a sunny mid-day.  To catch a beauty like this, you need to understand what set-up to use. 

Fishing the Swift River with FCFF

At heart, we are DIY walk-hike-wade fisherman.  That being said, we encourage you to get outside; fish and explore on your own.  But, if you would like some assistance, guiding-lessons, etc., please feel free to contact us.

Final Word:

The Swift River, typically after spring stocking, fishes well and then slows down as the water level drops and daily temps rise.  As a result of this annual cycle, you must understand where to find fish that have survived the seasonal attacks from worm-bobber fisherman.  Unfortunately, many of the prime trout habitat is also the most popular swimming holes and picnic areas.  But, as you can see from my photos, there are a selective few spots where trout will hold.  

We hope you enjoyed reading this post.  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to do so. Many thanks and hope to see you next season in Patagonia.

Gone Fishing,

Mark

PS. Our business is 100% by referrals (word of mouth).  Please feel free to share this amongst friends. Also, you can follow our blog via email, Facebook or Google Connect.

More Pics from the Swift

Fly Fishing Lessons in New Hampshire: The Ammonoosuc River

Ammonoosuc River Facts

Location:  New Hampshire and Maine. Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/0kqWd
Fishing Season: April to October.  Please visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/
Licensed Required: Yes, general fishing only.

Floating:  No. Walk-Wade. Wet-Wading in summer.

Entrance Fee:  No.

Camping: Yes.  Private and Public, throughout the Mt. Washington Valley.

Length: 55 Miles.

Origin: Lake of the Clouds, 6,288ft Mt. Washington.
Termination: Connecticut River.

Fly Rods: 1wt-4wt during mid/late summer. Perhaps, with high water, 5wt-6wt early spring.

Fly Lines:  90% Floating.  10% Sink.  

Flies:  Fish are not picky, but we only share this information with our FCFF clients.  

The falls, located off Old Cherry Mountain Rd = HUGE pool filed with stocked bows up to 20"

Ammonoosuc is an Abenaki word meaning, "small, narrow fishing place".  If you have swam or fished the Ammo, you quickly understand the Abenaki word/description was spot on.  If you have read history books on New Hampshire fishing or logging, you'll quickly realize the Ammonoosuc River, at one time, was a major fishing river; filled with large Brook Trout and seasonal spawning Atlantic Salmon. Today, the river has changed and is not what it was 200 hundred years ago.  But, if you looking to catch wild Brook Trout, stocked Brown-Rainbow Trout, and possibly landlocked Atlantic Salmon, then put the Ammo on your 'fish to do' list.

The reasons why you want to fish the Ammonoosuc River:
    

• Fish:  Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and landlocked Atlantic Salmon. 
• Location:  A short drive from North Conway, NH. You don't want to walk/hike for hours/days. You want to drive, park and fish within a short distance of your car.
• Experience:  Parts of the Ammo can get crowded with swimmers/tourist and worm-bobber anglers.  But, if you fish it during off season, or if you are willing to walk a bit, the fishing can be very good, year round.
• Size: You want to fish a river that lends itself to short cast and delicate presentations. 
• Structure:  You want a river loaded with rocks, boulders, and small picturesque pools. 
• Scenery:  You want New England hardwoods, mountains, wild animals. 

When the water is low, I target fish with large dry flies and small dropper-nymphs.  It's the Angus beef cheeseburger with sweet potato fries combo that can't be resisted.

How to Fish the Ammonoosuc River

Please visit http://firstcastflyfishing.blogspot.com/p/new-england.html

Tips: 

• Throughout the year, find cold water (especially during the summer months).
• Find fast moving water (FYI, rainbows love fast water). Fish the seam between fast and slow water.
• Find pools and pockets that are at least 5ft deep = prime real estate for fish.
• Find large rocks/boulders = wild brook trout love to hide-hide-hide = you have to put your fly as close to the rocks as possible. 
• Move...keep moving!  When weather conditions are warm, water is low, you need to find fish located in cold, deep water. The further you fish away from the parking areas, the better the fishing is! 
• Time your fishing before and after the holiday bathers/swimmers.  Fish above and below known swimming holes/fish pools.  

Brown Trout near Bethlehem, NH

Fishing the Ammonoosuc River with FCFF

At heart, we are DIY walk-hike-wade fisherman.  That being said, we encourage you to get outside; fish and explore on your own.  But, if you would like some assistance, guiding-lessons, etc., please feel free to contact us.

Final Word:

Enjoy! The Ammonoosuc River is a great mid-sized stream...filled with wild and stocked fish.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post.  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to do so. Many thanks and hope to see you next season in Patagonia.

Gone Fishing,

Mark

PS. Our business is 100% by referrals (word of mouth).  Please feel free to share this amongst friends. Also, you can follow our blog via email, Facebook or Google Connect.

More Pics from the Ammo

Ammo Bow, caught-released near Bethelhem, NH.

Ammo Brown Trout. Caught-Released near Bethlehem, NH

Large Ammo Brookie.  

Ton's of Stone Fly's on the Ammo

If you are willing to walk-hike, there are some VERY good pools on the Ammo!  This pool, a few miles from the road/parking, produced six trout good sized trout.

Some where on the amazing Ammonoosuc River.

To a beginner Fly Fisherman, is this good water = NO!  Why = lots of sun, very few rocks, no depth.  

Fly Fishing Lessons in New Hampshire: The Ellis River

Ellis River Facts

Location:  New Hampshire. Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/gkxyg
Fishing Season: April to October.  Please visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/
Licensed Required: Yes, general fishing only.

Floating:  No. Walk-Wade. Wet-Wading in summer.

Entrance Fee:  No.

Camping: Yes. Both public and private, the Mt. Washington Valley (lots of options)

Length: 16.7 Miles

Origin: 6,288ft Mt. Washington
Termination: Joins the Saco River, then flows to the Atlantic Ocean.

Fly Rods: 1wt-4wt

Fly Lines:  Floating.  

Flies:  Fish are not picky, but we only share this information with our FCFF clients.

I am no expert, but I have read enough books that tell me wild brook trout, in order to reproduce and thrive, need clean cold water.  Sadly, these days, clean cold water is starting to sound like an oxymoron.  But, believe it not, just a short drive from the busy streets of North Conway, New Hampshire; you can access the Ellis River and experience some of the best wild brook trout fishing in all of New Hampshire.  In fact, there are parts of the Ellis River, that I would gladly spend the rest of my life fishing, day-dreaming, relaxing, eating, and napping (the key ingredients of a great day of fishing).

Ellis River Big Brookie +/- 10"

Fishing the Ellis River with FCFF

Please visit

http://firstcastflyfishing.blogspot.com/p/new-england.html


Final Word:

Enjoy! The Ellis River is a good little river, filled with beautiful wild brook trout.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post.  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to do so. Many thanks and hope to see you soon.

Gone Fishing,

Mark

Fly Fishing Lessons in New Hampshire: The Wild River

Looking for lessons?  Please see info in above tabs

River Facts

Location:  New Hampshire and Maine. Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/ZpamZ
Fishing Season: April to October.  Please visit http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/
Licensed Required: Yes, general fishing only.

Floating:  No. Walk-Wade. Wet-Wading in summer.

Entrance Fee:  No.

Camping: Yes; Wild River, Cold River/AMC, Hastings Campground

Length: 17.2 Miles

Origin: No Ketchum Pond, Bean's Purchase.
Termination: Androscoggin River, Gilead Maine.

Fly Rods: 1wt-4wt.

Fly Lines:  Floating.  

Flies:  Fish are not picky, but we only share this information with our FCFF clients.  

Wild River Brook Trout

I have fished enough rivers in New Hampshire to know that the Wild River is one of the 'best of the best', in small river/stream classification (and experience).  After a statement like that, I am bound to have at least 50% of my readers agree, and the other 50%, disagree.  So, please allow me to qualify my statement with the following criteria:  

    

• Fish:  You use light tackle and target wild brook trout (Salvelinu Fontinalis) and small, but aggressive rainbows.  
• Location:  You want a short drive from North Conway NH, Gorham NH, and Bethel Maine.  You don't want to walk/hike for hours/days. You want to drive, park and fish within a short distance of your car.
• Experience:  You want to get away from the crowds and catch wild brook trout.
• Size: You want to fish a river that lends itself to short cast and delicate presentations. 
• Structure:  You want a river loaded with rocks, boulders, and small picturesque pools. 
• Scenery:  You want New England hardwoods, mountains, wild animals. 

Wild River Rainbow

History

The Wild River Wilderness area has a rich history, both for the state's of New Hampshire and Maine. As you can imagine tree's, railroads, and hunting-fishing have played major roles in the history of this area. Rather than butcher the facts, it's best for me to recommend books that I have read.

• Nature and Renewal.  http://www.amazon.com/Nature-Renewal-River-Valley-Beyond/dp/0884483258
• The Wild River Wilderness: A Saga of Northern New England.  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Wild+River+Wilderness%3A+A+Saga+of+Northern+New+England

Note: I personally believe that all fisherman should read a few books about the logging history of New England. To do so, makes you realize how the woods-water-fish are connected.  Reading a few books would also make you understand and appreciate how special this part of the world once was, and hopefully will continue to be. Other good New England tree/logging books are Spiked Boots and Tall Tree's-Tough Men.  Both books briefly mention trout fishing in New England.

How to Fish the Wild River

If you need lessons or guiding, please read information under the New England Wild Fish, NH Fly Fishing School or Lessons-Guiding tabs.  

Wild River Big Brookie

Final Word:

Enjoy! The Wild River Wilderness area is a very special place...filled with beautiful wild brook trout.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post.  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to do so. Many thanks and hope to see you next season in Patagonia.

Gone Fishing,

Mark

PS. Our business is 100% by referrals (word of mouth).  Please feel free to share this amongst friends. Also, you can follow our blog via email, Facebook or Google Connect.

Fly Fishing Patagonia Argentina: Walk-Wade and Float Trips

The 2014 Patagonia fly fishing season will be here soon.  Come join us and experience the real Patagonia!  

To learn more about our fly fishing packages, please visit the 'Patagonia' tab, on the above header.    

Argentina Fishing Season: November 1st to May 31st.

Why Visit and Fly Fish Argentina?

Atop Cerro Catedral in Bariloche. Photo by FCFF.

Argentina is the 8th largest country in the world and covers over 1 million square miles. Despite its size, Argentina is only inhabited by 40 million people.  Half of the population lives within ten of the largest metropolitan areas.  The other half of the population is spread throughout rural areas and in some parts of the country, population density is among the lowest in the world.  This affords visitors the opportunity to entertain in modern cities such as Buenos Aires, yet escape to...

• Oceans of open land in Patagonia...equivalent to the America West +100 years ago
• Explore the longest mountain range in the world,  the Andes at 4,400 miles.
• Visit the highest mountain in the western hemisphere, Aconcagua 22,841ft
• Stand on wind swept beaches and view Sea Lions, Penguins and Orcas.
• Drive to the end of the earth and visit the land of fire, Tierra del Fuego.
• Tour Antarctica, it's only a few hundred miles from Tierra del Fuego.
• Watch monkeys and other exotic species while fishing in subtropical forest.
• Feel the power and the spray of the longest waterfall in the word, Iguazu Falls.
• Witness one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, Peritio Mereno. 
• Savor Argentinas famous cuisine (beef) and Malbec wines.
• And of course, wet a line in the immense network of lakes and rivers filled with wild Salmon, Steelhead, Sea Run Brown Trout, Brown-Rainbow-Brook Trout and South America's very own apex predator, the Golden Dorado.

FCFF Home H2O: Northern Patagonia

Bamboo Thickets in Valdivian Rainforest. Photo by FCFF.

Northern Patagonia (Neuquen Province):  In the 1960’s, fly fishing gods such as Joe Brooks and Mel Krieger made the rivers surrounding Junin de los Andes famous. What they discovered back then was a trout fishery unlike any place on Earth. They discovered many of the rivers in the area are attached to large trout producing Andean lakes. As a result, during the spring and fall runs, they targeted monster rainbows and browns moving in and out of the lakes. When the runs slowed down in mid-summer, they discovered an amazing dry-fly fishery second to none. Today, dry fly fishermen have pioneered the use of large attractor dry flies, such as the gypsy king, chernobyl ants, large hopper patterns, and big beetles. Folks, Junin de los Andes is the fly fishing capital of Argentina.  Though vacation towns such as Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes offer more for the average tourist, there is no other place other than Junin that offers more accessible rivers/lakes and modern conveniences for the fly fisherman.  Below is a list of rivers and lakes that we fish in the surrounding Junin de los Andes area. 

Chimehuin River – is a large freestone river (similar to the Madison River) and offers the trophy hunter a chance to wet the fly in the world famous 'Boca.' In addition, it’s the picture perfect fishery for float and sight fishing while prospecting with streamers, nymphs, and large attractor dry flies. The river fishes best from early December to to then end of February. March tends to be a transition month.  In April and May, when the rains and cold weather come, the 'Boca' can produce large migratory brown's.

Collon Cura River – is known as the most prolific trout fishery in all of Patagonia! The trout are wickedly wild and average in the chunky 14” to 20” range and fall browns can come close to 30”. As you float this large river, the willows and high sandstone cliffs will remind you of Wyoming’s Snake River. During low water levels, its mild gradient and broad gravel riffles make for easy wading. Minnows are an important food source in this river, so you’ll find streamers are effective throughout the season (particularly in January, April and May). Like other local rivers, dry fly fishing with large attractors will produce action throughout the day.

Alumine River – is a slower river for the dry fly purest who loves to match hatches for large sipping trout. The river is often compared to Montana’s Missouri River and anglers often take rainbows between 16" and >20". The river fishes best during peak summer months when the caddis and mayfly hatches occur.  During the months of April and May, the brown trout fishing ranks with the Collon Cura and other rivers.

Malleo River – like the Alumine, this river is a spectacular fishery for the dry fly enthusiast. Known for its spectacular caddis and mayfly hatches, anglers will delight with wild, hard fighting fish.  This is a wade only fishery and for those who like to walk-wade for trophy wild fish, this is your river.

Caleufu River – Due to the proximity to the Piedra del Aguila reservoir, this river fishes extremely well early and late in the season. In fact, late in the season there is what locals call the minnow hatch.  If the minnow hatch is on, and if you have a small minnow like pattern, fishing for large rainbows and browns can be amazing!  Warning, your minnow fly and presentation must be exact or these fish will not take it. Overall, this river is a medium-size tributary of the Collon Cura and can be floated till the end of January, beginning or February.

Tromen, Huechulafquen, Epulafquen, Verde, and Curruhe Lakes – a trip to Patagonia would not be complete without fishing one of these magnificent trophy trout filled lakes! The combination of crystal clear waters, breath taking views and water filled with rainbows, browns, brookies and land locked salmon makes for an unforgettable day. You’ll be stripping streamers, tossing dries and sight fishing with a chance to land all four species in one day!

Final Word

We hope you enjoyed reading this post.  If you have questions or comments, please feel free to do so.  Many thanks and hope to see you next season in Patagonia.

Gone Fishing,

Mark

PS. Our business is 100% by referrals (word of mouth).  Please feel free to share this amongst friends.  Also, you can follow our blog via email, Facebook or Google Connect.

PS. To read more about Patagonia, simply use the First Cast Search Engine.  For Example: type in Malleo River or scroll archived post.

Fly Fishing Patagonia Argentina: A Woman's Review

Dr. Marc Richman, I owe you a huge thanks for linking us up to Mark. That was invaluable. The trip was amazing and I am getting wistful thinking about it again.

Brief Recap:  

So, on the same day that you and Anna left to go home, I went to Coyhaique, Chile to meet up with my boyfriend, Jeffers. From there, we traveled by bus to Futaleufu, and then, since no buses were going over the Argentine border for 2 days, we paid a guy with a chicken coop truck to drive us to Esquel. In Esquel, we rented a car and drove to the Rio Rivadavia in Los Alerces national park. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been-- the water was so clear, and we could see the fish just sitting there. Jeffers said it was very "technical fishing," which possibly explains why we caught nothing. Put this one on your list! Also, there is a famous tributary right there that apparently contains massive fish, but it was dried up when we were there. 

From there we went to Bariloche and fished the Pichileufu, Traful and Limay, all on our own. For a novice like myself, it was not fruitful. Even for Jeffers, who knows what he's doing, it was pretty tough. But he managed to catch a land locked Atlantic salmon in the Traful;  after some struggle. I think I didn't catch anything, but I still enjoyed the scenery. 

We saved the best for last and spent a full week in San Martin de los Andes, which is where we hooked up with Mark. He took us out wading the Malleo on our first day, and we caught tons of fish. We did the Malleo on our own the next day (less successful). The following day, Jeffers and Mark went out alone and hiked up to some canyon on the Malleo, where Jeffers caught a ~ 28" brown trout. After realizing that we were faring MUCH better under guided supervision, we ponied up and booked Gustavou for our final day. We floated the Alumine and it was just the best day ever. You were right about Gustavou being such a good guide. He was great-- very patient and knowledgeable and calm. We caught tons of fish, and I nabbed the perca/rainbow/brown trifecta (the "grand slam"), as well as a 20" brown on the last cast of the day (also the biggest catch of the day). That was a really good way to end our trip!

I am really glad I got the intel on Mark Foley from you. He is running a very user-friendly operation down there, and for people like Jeffers and me who are on a budget, it was crucial in making our trip considerably more successful. I felt like we got away with a very good deal! If we had to do it again, I think we would stay in Junin, like you did. Also, it was nice to be down there at the very beginning of April because it was between tourist seasons and things were cheaper and less crowded.  Overall, it was probably the best trip of my life and definitely an adventure.

J. DeCiantis.  NYC, USA

To read more and view photos about Jeffers and Julia's adventure:
http://firstcastflyfishing.blogspot.com/2013/04/patagonia-fly-fishing-from-new-york.html


It's amazing to receive such positive testimonials.  We are eternally grateful to Marc Richman, Julia and Jeffers. Thank you so much!

We hope you enjoyed reading this post.  If you have questions or comments about FCFF, please feel free to contact us. Many thanks and hope to see you next season in Patagonia.

Gone Fishing,

Mark

PS. Our business is 100% by referrals (word of mouth).  Please feel free to share this amongst friends. Also, you can follow our blog via email, Facebook or Google Connect.  To read more about Patagonia, simply use the First Cast Search Engine.  For Example: type in Malleo River or scroll archived post.