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River guide · New Hampshire

Fly Fishing the Androscoggin River

New Hampshire's upper Androscoggin runs cold and clear out of Lake Umbagog, offering a rare combination of fly-fishing-only regulated water, low crowds, and a renowned mid-summer Alder Fly hatch that brings big browns to the surface for weeks.

  • 6 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • May–June and September–October for dry flies
  • New Hampshire
  • 6 key hatches
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The best time to fly fish the Androscoggin River is May–June and September–October for dry flies. Key hatches include Blue, Little Black Caddis & Blue Quill, Alder Fly / Zebra Caddis, Little Yellow Stonefly. 6 fly shops near the Androscoggin River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Androscoggin River

Shops and guides that fish the Androscoggin River. See all 18 New Hampshire shops →

Northern Waters OutfittersNorth Country Fly ShopPoints North OutfittersDan's Fly ShopNorth Country Angler
5 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassPanfishPikeSalmonStriperTrout

Nearby towns

ErrolPittsburgGorham

Rivers nearby

BattenkillDeerfield RiverSwift RiverFarmington River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Androscoggin River

River typetailwater
Best seasonMay–June and September–October for dry flies; fishable year-round
AccessRoute 16 follows the river for over 20 miles north of Berlin with multiple pull-offs; key access sites include Seven Islands Bridge and the Androscoggin Wayside Park in Errol. The upper fly-fishing-only section runs from Errol Dam downstream to Bragg Bay.
Key hatches
  • Blue-winged Olive (late March–May; also fall)
  • Little Black Caddis & Blue Quill (April–May)
  • Alder Fly / Zebra Caddis (mid-June–early July)
  • Little Yellow Stonefly (summer)
  • Terrestrials — ants, beetles, hoppers (July–September)
  • Midge (year-round)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Androscoggin River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the Androscoggin River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Androscoggin River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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Updated June 2026