New England Fly Fishing Lessons: Mohawk River

Fly Fishing Lessons: $5 per Hour!

We believe, in order to get more people into the sport of fly fishing, you deserve the very best instruction, at the lowest price possible.  This is why we offer lessons based on a donation only fee system.  In other words, if you have a well paying job, do the right thing by paying the suggested minimum donations.  If money is tight, make a donation that works for you and your family.  It's that simple.

Beginner Casting Class Donation Rates

• (1) Angler: suggested minimum donation is $20.00 per hour
• (2-3) Anglers: suggested minimum donation is $10.00 per hour, per person
• (4-6) Anglers: suggested minimum donation is $5.00 per hour, per person
• Minimum Course Time: 2 hours
• Age: Under 12 years old, must be accompanied by an adult  
• Monday- Sunday

You can read more about our lessons and guiding programs at 
http://firstcastflyfishing.blogspot.com/p/lessons-guiding_22.html

Lake Gloriette at the Balsams Resort, located in Dixville Notch, NH.

Mohwak River Facts

Location:  Between Dixville Notch and Colebrook, NH. Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/r0IqB
Fishing Season: April 04 to October 15th.
Special Rules:  No.
Licensed Required: Yes, general fishing only. Catch and fry pan is permitted.

Floating:  Highly not recommend. Size of river-stream and depth does not support floating opportunities. My suggestion = Walk-Wade Only.

Entrance Fee: No.

Camping: Coleman State Park is the closest campground.  At the campground, you can fish Diamond and Little Diamond Pond. Fishing both are best by watercraft. 

Length:  13.8 Miles.  
Depth:  More like a small stream.  Pools are not deep, perhaps between 4ft-8ft.  Long stretches of shallow water that look fishable, but don't waste your time (find the deepest water and structure).
Origin: Dixville Notch streams and Lake Gloriette.
Tributaries:  4.6 mile East Branch of the Mohawk, beginning in Coleman State Park.
Termination:  Connecticut River; just north of the Route 26 bridge, in Colebrook.  
Access: Much of the river is accessible from Route 26.

At the time of this picture, conditions = mid-summer, hot, and low water. I walked away from known spots because they had been fished out. Truthfully, I was shocked to find this Brown Trout.  It was tucked underneath a large boulder. If you understand river hydraulics, fishing around large boulders should never be overlooked; even when water levels are low.

Why Fish the Mohawk River

    

• Native Species:  Though, there could be a very small population of EBT's, I do not believe the river sustains native species. 
• Stocked Fish:  NH Fish and Game regularly stocks rainbows and browns. At the confluence of the CT river, it is rumored that fish will swim up the Mohawk, in the spring.
• Structure: Only a small handful of fishable pools.  Fishes better early, when water levels are higher.  Fishes better just after NH Fish and Game stocks.
• Location: If your staying in the Colebrook or Errol area, this is easily accessible. 
• Experience:  I was told great things about the Mohawk.  I was underwhelmed, but I did manage to catch a few fish. This river is heavily fished by the public, in obvious pull off areas.
• Scenery:  General area is beautiful, but the river itself is never far from the road or a home.

How to Fish the Mohawk River

Option A: We don't fish this river often, so we would not feel right guiding you.  Instead, we feel this is a true DIY river and in the early part of the season, offers a great chance for family fun.

Option B:  DIY (Do it Yourself).  If you plan to fish the upper dam pool on your own, your best bet is:

• Shortly after the NH Fish & Game stocks, there are well known spots were all anglers fish.  I have seen many anglers walk back to their cars with five healthy rainbows (i.e. daily legal bag limit). 
• Follow the NH Fish & Game stocking reports.  These reports are available online.  Look for obvious pull offs along the river. 
• If you prefer to not fish with others, there a handful of pools that will keep you entertained. To reach these pools, and depending on where you park, you may have to walk-wade up to 0.5 mile.
• Find structure and the deepest water possible.
• Fun little river for dry fly and nymphs.
• Flies:  I would love to share this information with you, but I just can't seem to do so :).  Use the standard go-to patterns such as Elk Hair Caddis and Bead-Head Hare's Ear.  

Final Word

The Mohawk River does not make my top ten New Hampshire fly fishing list; probably not even my top 20.  However, if your in the area, and if you are looking for easy access, and family fun, then go for it.   

Thanks for reading.  We hope you enjoyed this post.

Gone Fishing,

Mark

Share this post