We Have The Guides Who Know
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! All guides are independent contractors that provide guiding services. We have fished with all of them and they are recommended by us. You can contact them directly or contact us at the shop and we will expedite the booking of a guided fishing trip for you.
Mason Thagouras
Mason has spent his entire life fishing the north side of the Mount Washington Valley. A student of the "Dean of the Andro", Mason can take you to places on the river that very few anglers ever see. Mason will go the extra mile to ensure that you have a memorable day on the water. You can reach Mason at whitemountainanglers.com
Mason has spent his entire life fishing the north side of the Mount Washington Valley. A student of the "Dean of the Andro", Mason can take you to places on the river that very few anglers ever see. Mason will go the extra mile to ensure that you have a memorable day on the water. You can reach Mason at whitemountainanglers.com
Tom Freedman
Tom was born and raised in the Great North Woods. Floating or wading these waters with Tom will open your eyes to the variety of water and species of fish. Tom will take you to some of the backwoods waters that produce wild trout. If you have ever wanted to chase wild trout, Tom will work hard to help you achieve your goal. You can reach Tom at www.topnotchflyfishing.com/
Tom was born and raised in the Great North Woods. Floating or wading these waters with Tom will open your eyes to the variety of water and species of fish. Tom will take you to some of the backwoods waters that produce wild trout. If you have ever wanted to chase wild trout, Tom will work hard to help you achieve your goal. You can reach Tom at www.topnotchflyfishing.com/
Clay Groves
Clay Groves, licensed fishing guide, former science teacher and the host of the world famous Fish Nerds Podcast! He spends all his time fishing and playing with his kids and loves to take people on fishy adventures. If fishing the big lakes of the MWV is your desire, you will love hanging out with him! You can contact Clay at www.fishnerds.com
Clay Groves, licensed fishing guide, former science teacher and the host of the world famous Fish Nerds Podcast! He spends all his time fishing and playing with his kids and loves to take people on fishy adventures. If fishing the big lakes of the MWV is your desire, you will love hanging out with him! You can contact Clay at www.fishnerds.com
Randy Ouellette
At an early age, Randy was drawn to the inherent beauty offer by the complexities of angling on the fly Over the past 12 years, Randy has become inherently familiar with the waters of the MWV. Through patience, diligence, and hard work, he has developed a firm understanding our local fisheries. If you wish to experience an old school trip reach Randy at theswiftriverghillie.com
At an early age, Randy was drawn to the inherent beauty offer by the complexities of angling on the fly Over the past 12 years, Randy has become inherently familiar with the waters of the MWV. Through patience, diligence, and hard work, he has developed a firm understanding our local fisheries. If you wish to experience an old school trip reach Randy at theswiftriverghillie.com
Start of Another Season
10 January 2020
Streams and brooks opened to fishing on the first of January. Normally this is met with little fanfare as waters are packed in ice and snow. This winter is a little different. We have had very little snow, except in the mountains, and so the rivers and streams can have fishable days.
When the temperatures get above freezing, and the sun is shining, the water will warm. Even though this warming is only a couple of degrees, fish will take the opportunity to eat. Especially the bigger holdover and wild fish. Opportunity calls!
Get out your tight line nymph rig and some jig flies. We like to use the Black Copper John, Black Squirrel Nugget, or Black Jig Bugger. The smaller the better. These smaller flies tend to not get fouled on the bottom of the stream as easily as larger flies. Long leaders and slow drifts through pocket water will bring strikes if fish are feeding.
For the over 20 inch fish, we use our six weight rods and sinking lines. Short leaders (under six feet) and any of AD's Better Bait Fish patterns. Again, if fish are on the feed the strike will be savage.
This is the time of year to fish during the most pleasant time of day. Watch the weather, layer up, and be patient. It will pay off as long as you...…
TRUST YOUR FLY!
Fall Fishing
8 September 2019
There is just something about Fall fishing that brings out the best in anglers and the fish. As anglers, we know that this is the last hurrah before winter. Waters are cooling and waders come back out of the closet. The fish are busy bulking up for the long winter nap and for the impending spawn.
The colors in the woods become ablaze in all their glory. The brook trout follow along with their deep oranges, senuous blacks and bold white piping. Brown trout turn a mind numbing yellow and get a heavy kype. Landlock Salmon also kype up in their pursuit of the females of the species. Rainbow trout aren't sure what to make of all of it as they are normally spring spawners, yet have been manipulated by the hatcheries to think they should spawn in the fall.
Anglers add their own dashes of color. The Cardinelle, the Montreal Whore, the Sex Dungeon, the Drunk and Disorderly. All big, bright flies trying to draw the attention of trout with other things on their mind.
The fishing here in the Valley seems to always go out in a blaze of glory. This year will be no different. Come on up and participate. You wont regret painting your own mural and reliving it throughout the winter.
The Sweet of the Year
11 June 2019
It is here once again, although slightly delayed by our long North Country winter. The best time to fish the Mount Washington Valley is now! We have mayflies hatching, caddis worms wiggling and stone flies crawling. We have ravenous trout looking to eat any or all of them.
Our ponds have been hot, hot, hot! Just the other night I hiked into one of the remote ponds and caught a dozen feisty trout. It was a mix of hatchery and wild brook trout, all as beautiful as a brook trout can be. Emergers and soft hackles were doing the job that night and it was so relaxing to just float in the pond casting and catching.
New this year, we have guide service available if you want to try a float tube trip. I would highly recommend it as there is really nothing like it here in the White Mountains. Floating around a quiet pond with trout jumping and beavers splashing is just what the doctor ordered. You can purchase a trip on our website by typing GUIDE in the search bar. You won't regret it.
If you like to do the self guide thing, stop by the shop and pick up one of our famous North Country Angler fishing maps. We will highlight a couple of places for you to try, sell you some flies, and send you out for a fun day on the water.
And always remember to TRUST YOUR FLY!
Steve
10 January 2020
Streams and brooks opened to fishing on the first of January. Normally this is met with little fanfare as waters are packed in ice and snow. This winter is a little different. We have had very little snow, except in the mountains, and so the rivers and streams can have fishable days.
When the temperatures get above freezing, and the sun is shining, the water will warm. Even though this warming is only a couple of degrees, fish will take the opportunity to eat. Especially the bigger holdover and wild fish. Opportunity calls!
Get out your tight line nymph rig and some jig flies. We like to use the Black Copper John, Black Squirrel Nugget, or Black Jig Bugger. The smaller the better. These smaller flies tend to not get fouled on the bottom of the stream as easily as larger flies. Long leaders and slow drifts through pocket water will bring strikes if fish are feeding.
For the over 20 inch fish, we use our six weight rods and sinking lines. Short leaders (under six feet) and any of AD's Better Bait Fish patterns. Again, if fish are on the feed the strike will be savage.
This is the time of year to fish during the most pleasant time of day. Watch the weather, layer up, and be patient. It will pay off as long as you...…
TRUST YOUR FLY!
Fall Fishing
8 September 2019
There is just something about Fall fishing that brings out the best in anglers and the fish. As anglers, we know that this is the last hurrah before winter. Waters are cooling and waders come back out of the closet. The fish are busy bulking up for the long winter nap and for the impending spawn.
The colors in the woods become ablaze in all their glory. The brook trout follow along with their deep oranges, senuous blacks and bold white piping. Brown trout turn a mind numbing yellow and get a heavy kype. Landlock Salmon also kype up in their pursuit of the females of the species. Rainbow trout aren't sure what to make of all of it as they are normally spring spawners, yet have been manipulated by the hatcheries to think they should spawn in the fall.
Anglers add their own dashes of color. The Cardinelle, the Montreal Whore, the Sex Dungeon, the Drunk and Disorderly. All big, bright flies trying to draw the attention of trout with other things on their mind.
The fishing here in the Valley seems to always go out in a blaze of glory. This year will be no different. Come on up and participate. You wont regret painting your own mural and reliving it throughout the winter.
The Sweet of the Year
11 June 2019
It is here once again, although slightly delayed by our long North Country winter. The best time to fish the Mount Washington Valley is now! We have mayflies hatching, caddis worms wiggling and stone flies crawling. We have ravenous trout looking to eat any or all of them.
Our ponds have been hot, hot, hot! Just the other night I hiked into one of the remote ponds and caught a dozen feisty trout. It was a mix of hatchery and wild brook trout, all as beautiful as a brook trout can be. Emergers and soft hackles were doing the job that night and it was so relaxing to just float in the pond casting and catching.
New this year, we have guide service available if you want to try a float tube trip. I would highly recommend it as there is really nothing like it here in the White Mountains. Floating around a quiet pond with trout jumping and beavers splashing is just what the doctor ordered. You can purchase a trip on our website by typing GUIDE in the search bar. You won't regret it.
If you like to do the self guide thing, stop by the shop and pick up one of our famous North Country Angler fishing maps. We will highlight a couple of places for you to try, sell you some flies, and send you out for a fun day on the water.
And always remember to TRUST YOUR FLY!
Steve