Fly-fishing for brook trout in White Mountain National Forest
Readers of my blog know that I love fly-fishing for brook trout. While my favorite local waters are in the Shenandoah National Park (SNP), my brook trout fishing adventures have extended beyond the Mid-Atlantic to Tennessee and North Carolina, as well as Pennsylvania and New York. During a recent driving holiday with my wife, I was hoping to expand that further to Maine and New Hampshire.
Fishing prospects in White Mountain National Forest
Our plan was to spend some time in and around Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park in Maine, as well as in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. And I hoped a hall pass of a few hours in each destination would lead me to my first fish in both those states. I began to research opportunities for brook trout fishing on small streams along hiking trails, so that my wife could accompany me.
North Country Angler fly shop in North Conway, NH
I wasn’t getting very far in my online sleuthing until I came across the website for North Country Angler and connected with shop owner, Steve Angers. He encouraged me to stop by the shop while in North Conway and pick up a map which I took away along with some recommended flies. Steve was generous with the recommendations, pointing out sections of the Saco River and its East Branch where stocked trout could be found, as well as a few waters holding wild brook trout.
One section of the Saco was located just behind Steve’s shop along River Road and a quick visit to check it out showed promising conditions with trout rising to a hatch just under the bridge. But just as I was gearing up, a couple of families decided it was time for a swim and jumped into the river right where the fish were rising. I had no choice but to go away and hope for a better opportunity the next day.
Brook trout fishing on Slippery Brook
When gifted a few hours in the morning the next day, the call of native brookies was the loudest and I headed to Slippery Brook north of town at the end of Town Hall Road near to Mountain Pond. I noted with interest that I passed over the East Branch of the Saco on my way, but did not allow myself to be distracted. It took all of about thirty minutes to get to the parking lot of the Mountain Pond trailhead, and then make my way to Slippery Brook which was on the other side of the fire road that leads to the parking lot.
This proved to be exciting brook trout water that is very similar in nature to the mountain streams I fish in the SNP, with lovely riffles and pocket water that was easily accessible right next to the gate closure. I spent a few hours fishing downstream and upstream of this point, netting several wild brookies of 3-4” with a 7ft, 3wt rod, a 6ft mountain leader, and various parachute dry fly patterns. I now had a new state to add to the list of destinations where I have caught brook trout.
Then I recalled how attractive the East Branch of the Saco looked on my way to Slippery Brook and decided to drop by there on my way back to North Conway. This water holds stocked trout and I was keen to try another location. In the back of my head was the nagging refrain I often hear from an angling companion – “Don’t leave fish to find fish”, but he does not write a blog that depends on lots of content on fishing. In the end I should have spent the extra time where I was already catching fish, because the East Branch of the Saco did not produce any action. After a quick look at the spot on the Saco River that I investigated the previous day, which was again occupied by bathers, I decided to give up for the day.
Brook trout fishing on Sabbaday Brook along Kancamagus Highway
One final recommendation from Steve at North Country Angler proved to be the most prolific and enjoyable of all the brook trout water I had fished in Maine and New Hampshire. As part of our tour we planned to explore the Kancamagus Highway, which extends for 30 miles to the west of Conway. About 30 minutes into the drive is another opportunity to hike and fish along Sabbaday Brook at Sabbaday Falls. The self-service parking fee at the Sabbaday Falls lot is $5, but is waived if you have a National Parks pass on display.
The first ¼ mile leads to a spectacular waterfall, but the trail continues along some of the best brook trout water I have ever fished. This again is similar in nature to the mountain streams I fish in the SNP, with lovely riffles and pocket water, and is easily accessible. As with Slippery Brook, I was geared up with the short, lightweight rod, short leader and dry flies. Unlike other places I have fished for small brookies (which were, in fact, pushing 6-7” here), I would elicit multiple strikes at the same spot, sometimes from the same fish. In little more than an hour of fishing I had a dozen or more fish in the net and three times that in rises, refusals and early releases.
Tight Lines!
Note: I am not being compensated for my mention of North Country Angler. I am just appreciative of the guidance received from Steve. I also presume I did not receive this guidance exclusively, which is why I did not hesitate to mention some of the sites.