Pemigewasset River Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone and Tailwater
Species
Brown Trout (some wild and stocked
with holdovers)
Brook Trout (some native and
stocked with holdovers)
Rainbow (some wild and stocked with
holdovers)
Atlantic Salmon (stocked)
Size
Small to Medium, 63 miles long
Location
Lower Central New Hampshire
Nearest Towns
Bristol
Franklin
Season
Jan 1 – October 15
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of New Hampshire
Weather
National Weather Service LinkType of Stream
Freestone/Tailwaters
Species
Brown Trout (wild and stocked with
some holdovers)
Brook Trout (wild and stocked)
Rainbow (wild and stocked with some
holdovers)
Landlocked Salmon
Steelhead
Size
Medium to Large
Location
Central Vermont
Nearest Towns
Marshfield
Winooski
Montpelier
Burlington
Season
Mid April – October..
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Vermont
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The season start Jan. 1 but it is usually late May before the fishing gets good.
Spring:
The water can be high in the Spring from melting snow and rainfall but the fishing is usually good in late Spring.
Summer:
Fishing is good throughout the Summer months.
Fall:
Early Fall is excellent and a beautiful time for fly fishing the Pemigewasset River. Good fishing continues through
October and into November.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Pemigewasset River New Hampshire
The Pemigewasset River begins from small tributaries in the White Mountains and flows almost through the center of New Hampshire to join the Winnepesauke River to form the Merrimack River. The Pemigewasset River stays cool during the Summer due to the elevation and runoff from the White Mountains. It has excellent trout fishing as well as Atlantic Salmon.
The Pemigewasset River, called the “Pemi”, starts in Franconia Notch and flows through the White Mountain National Forest. There are many small tributaries that join it to increase the flow from a very small stream to a decent size one. The upper section of the river is a popular tourist area. The stream is accessible from State Route #3 and exits off Interstate #93.
The river was long abused by pollution from paper mills but regulations have be successful in cleaning up the water. Trout and salmon are stocked by the New Hampshire Fish and game Department.
The stream can become congested with tourist at times but it’s almost always close to the roads. There’s plenty of water that requires some hiking that’s rarely fished. This stream holds the record New Hampshire rainbow trout.
The upper part above Ayers Dam at Bristol has mostly rainbow and brook trout. This area is closed to salmon fishing.
Below the dam (except the 300 ft. closed section) has rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and Atlantic Salmon. Salmon is catch and release, fly fishing only.
From the Rt. 3/11 bridge to the confluence with the Winnipesaukee River, Atlantic Salmon is fly fishing only, catch and release from Oct. 1 through March 31st. Be sure to check the local regulations as they are subject to change from season to season.