There are many adventures in Mt. Washington Valley one can take; from hiking in the White Mountain National Forest; to mountain biking in North Conway, and its surrounding trail networks; to taking a rock climbing lesson from various guiding outfitters in Mt. Washington Valley.

North Conway along with surrounding towns in Mt. Washington Valley are an outdoor mecca. Providing endless fun for those seeking adventure, we want to measure that fun through one specific activity: fishing.

We’re taking adventure from the trails and peaks of Mt. Washington Valley, and bringing it to its lakes and rivers through a guided fishing adventure in Mt. Washington Valley! A dense hot-spot for fishing, Mt. Washington Valley is a premier location for fresh water angling. Below is a list of guides who are dedicated to this sport, and love sharing their passion and knowledge for fishing and conservation. Hiring a guide for a fishing adventure is a must when planning your spring and summer vacation in Mt. Washington Valley.  

A few things to note when booking any guided fishing trip:

1. You’ll need to provide your own fishing license prior to your reservation with any of the fishing guides found in North Conway and surrounding areas. You can purchase one through NH Fish and Game, here.
2. Book your reservation far in advance. Even if you’re not looking to take a guided fishing excursion until mid to late summer, fishing guides book months in advance, and summer dates are already filling up.
3. Before heading out into the White Mountain National Forest, and on its lakes and rivers, sign the MWV Pledge. This ten-principle pledge is your promise as a recreator to help preserve and protect the forest, and everything in it.

Fish Nerds Guide Service specializes in fishing adventures in the Mount Washington Valley, from ice fishing in the winter to bait casting in the summer. Fish Nerds offers full service fishing trips; including for the spring and summer of 2022, fishing on Silver and Conway lakes via pontoon boat.

Families and friends can build their own day on the lake with Fish Nerds and schedule a day of trout, salmon and bass fishing while guides Clay Groves and Vinnie Matturo charter you and your group around the waters of Conway Lake or Silver Lake. You can also opt for a day of boating fun with options for tubing and cruising, or mix and match activities and enjoy a day of leisure with fishing and cruising. There is a grill on board, and you can bring your own food for a mid-day snack or full-out BBQ.

Clients should show up dressed for the weather, with their food of choice, and with a fishing license; the Fish Nerds Guide Service takes care of the rest. It supplies all the nerdy high tech equipment, including bait, tackle and the boat, and makes sure clients are safe in this exciting outdoor experience.

Excursions run from April first through October; depending on the weather. For more fishy fun check out the Fish Nerds Podcast or head to www.fishnerds.com and book a trip!

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Swift River Ghillie is a local guiding outfitter run by local Randy Ouellette. With a background in education and years of experience which also includes the completion the Youth Protection Training Program through Boy Scouts Of America as well as membership and certification of the NH Guides Association.

Randy specializes in Fly-Fishing Guiding, and offers half-day and full-day Wade and Drift trips. Wade trips are a great option for the beginner fisher to the intermediate. Those that book the wade excursion can expect to wear a range of minimal gear such as water shoes to wearing a full get-up of waders and boots. Randy will take you to spots on the Saco and Ellis Rivers to enjoy a mild and low-key day of fly-fishing.

For a more technical experience that borders on a fly-fishing intensive, Swift River Ghillie offers half-day and full-day Drift trips, where you’re taken by boat to fishing spots on the Androscoggin or Connecticut River.

Twilight trips are also available, and make a great option for younger kids. This trip lasts roughly two to three hours, and takes place during the early evening when the “hatch window” is at its prime.

Whether you book a Drift or Wade trip Randy will share a wealth of knowledge from technical information when it comes to gear, reading water and weather patterns, and bait and bug selection, in addition to providing hands-on guiding when you get out there and experience fly-fishing for yourself.

Regardless of the experience you’re seeking, whether it be to catch as many fish as possible or just enjoy a day on the river with no goal but to relax, Randy and his team meet you where you are at. They invite you to come as you are. Their passion for fly-fishing is rooted in education with a focus on making a connection through nature, and protecting the resources that allow them, and you to fish in the White Mountains.

Swift River Ghillie’s goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests. It advocates for and practices catch and release fishing on our trips. You're responsible for providing your own NH fishing license; Swift River Ghillie provides the rest.

Bretton Woods: The Mt. Washington Valley is brimming with experienced guides who cannot wait to share their passion for New Hampshire fishing! For those that are just starting out in their fishing journey, or are looking for a new perspective when it comes to their favorite sport, a guide is a great option.

Take for example the fishing experience at Omni Mount Washington Hotel. Visitors can try their hand at Angling in the Ammonoosuc River - an ode to the famous trail that leads hikers up New England's highest peak - Mount Washington. For a more novel experience, fishers can take a four-hour guided river adventure, looking for the best fishing spots and learning the best techniques; or they can learn the Japanese method of fly-fishing known as Tenkara.

When you book a custom Guided Fly Fishing River Adventure at Bretton Woods, it will allow you to test your skills on a classic New England trout stream located on the Omni Mount Washington Resort property. In the shadow of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, you and your guide will explore the local streams and ponds in search of the famed rainbow trout and native brook trout.

Bretton Woods also provides on-river clinics that offer a “teach by terrain” fly-fishing experience on the Ammonoosuc River. These clinics are ideal for beginners; teaching basics of fly-casting, choosing the proper fly for your quarry, and navigating the river to find ideal places to throw a line in.

Please note, guests must present a valid printed fishing license from the State of New Hampshire prior to departure. The guide and the guest(s) will then get outfitted with a vest, an assortment of flies, and fly rod. Then it is off to the stream!

For complete trip planning resources and information, explore this site, visitmwv.com, or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep.  To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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