Connecticut: Farmington River

Located in northwest Connecticut, this river drains approximately 600

square miles and is nearly 50 miles long. In particular, the West Branch,

a section from Riverton downstream to New Hartford, is a tremendous

tailwater fishery. Not only is it stocked with rainbows, browns and brookies,

there is also a large population of both wild and holdover fish. Fish to 20

inches and over are not out of the question here. Hatches are excellent,

ranging from Blue Winged Olives starting in late March, to Slate Drakes,

Caddis and Terrestrials in August and September. With consistent flows,

and a diverse variety of water to fish, this river rivals any found out west.

 Maine: Rapid River

Short, sweet, and to the point, this three and a half mile long river, may

be the best place in the U.S. to catch Brook Trout that average 3-5 pounds.

It is also one of the very few watersheds that still hold landlocked Atlantic

Salmon. Averaging 16-18 inches in length, fish to 5 pounds are not out of

the question. The bug life on this river ranges from caddis and stoneflies,

to mayflies and midges. If you want to catch the behemoth brook trout that

dwell here, trophy streamers are highly recommended, as these fish prey

not only on each other, but the creek chubs and smallmouth bass that also

inhabit these waters.

Maryland: Savage River

The Savage River is 30 miles long and located entirely within the Savage

River State Forest. Almost three quarters of this river is freestone, with tons

of small spring feed tributaries helping to add cold water and fresh oxygen

to the watershed. The last 5 miles of this river, below Savage River Dam,

are managed as a “Trophy Trout” area, with plenty of wild brook and brown

trout, and an occasional rainbow. Hatches of Blue Quills begin here in

April, with Caddis in the summer, and excellent terrestrial fishing arriving

by late July. This river is the best of both worlds being both a freestone and

tailwater fishery.

Massachusetts: Deerfield River

The Deerfield River begins in southern Vermont and winds it’s way

through northwestern Massachusetts, before ending it’s journey 76 miles

later where it joins the Connecticut River. Five dams regulate the flow of

this river, so finding trout and the type of water you like to fish them in is

never a problem. Here, a fly fisherman can choose to fish everything from

fast riffle water, to long, slow meandering, deep slicks. Both stocked and

wild rainbows, browns, and brookies, all congregate in this river, and wild

fish over 20 inches are not out of the question. Some of them will exceed ten

pounds. Flies range from huge sculpin and leech imitations, to size 22 zebra

midges. A significant mayfly hatch of March Browns (#10-12) occurs late

March through early June. Big, wild fish, are the name of the game here,

and this river just might hold some of the biggest found anywhere in the

northeast.

New Hampshire: Androscoggin River

The Androscoggin River or “river of cliff rock shelters,” is perhaps the

best big river float fishing found anywhere in New England. Starting in

the town of Errol, it flows south 53 miles thru the state of New Hampshire,

then thru Maine for 125 miles, before emptying into the Kennebec River.

Once an inspiration for the Clean Water Act, the upper Andro is now a fine

example of a true blue ribbon trout fishery. Here, it’s possible to catch

brook, brown, and rainbow trout, as well as landlocked atlantic salmon. In

addition to the unique size of this western style river, is the prolific Alder

fly (zebra caddis) hatch, which starts in late June, followed by a Hex hatch

that can last until late July. These flies can be gigantic, with some exceeding

a size 8. This can be the most successful and amazing time of the year to

witness world-class fishing on this once heavily polluted river.

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