Fly fishing report · Northeast

Pemigewasset River

A White Mountains and central New Hampshire report for anglers checking flows, access, water temperature, and trout tactics before fishing the Pemi.

Check flow & weather

Today's river scoreHigh source confidence

Caution

Best option: Wade.

Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.

Updated Jul 13, 11:17 PM UTCUsually refreshes about every 45 minutes

Recommended approachWade

Mode scores adjust the river-wide score for the risks of wading, bank fishing, or floating.

Wade · Best fit66/100

Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.

Bank / edgeCheck

This report does not describe this as a primary mode. Verify legal access, depth, launches, and retreat options before planning around it.

FloatCheck

This report does not describe this as a primary mode. Verify legal access, depth, launches, and retreat options before planning around it.

Confirm before you leave

Flow and weather right now.

Use the flow trend to confirm the score before you leave. Weather can change the safest and most productive fishing window.

River strategy

Treat the Pemi as a flow-first New England river with quick changes after rain.

The Pemigewasset can look friendly from the road, but the best fly-fishing plan starts with the Woodstock gauge, the weather, and the specific access you intend to use. Cold pockets, shaded tributary influence, and morning windows matter more than a generic statewide trout plan.

RiverReports is the quick flow view, backed by USGS 01075000 Pemigewasset River at Woodstock, New Hampshire.
White Mountain National Forest access is useful for upper-valley planning, but individual sites have their own hours, fees, and facility limits.
Check New Hampshire Fish and Game rules before fishing, especially if you are planning around trout water, bait rules, or seasonal harvest.
Warm afternoons, high runoff, and stained water can turn a good-looking river into a better scouting day than fishing day.

Why this score moved

FlowUse caution

USGS shows 141 cfs with a stable over about 6 hours trend. same-date USGS history (1940-2025, 62 readings) puts normal around 192 cfs and the lower quartile near 146 cfs; today's flow is below normal for the date. This is below normal, so edge depth, temperature, and pressure matter.

Public alertUse caution

A heat alert is active near this forecast point, so the score is capped until water temperature and fish-handling risk are checked. NWS alert: Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 2:22PM EDT until July 14 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gray ME.

Best mode nowUse caution

Wade: Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.

SeasonHelps score

Early summer: Often the most balanced window for hatches, access, and trout-friendly temperatures.

WeatherHelps score

The NWS forecast is about 83F with Slight Chance Rain Showers.

Read the water

What changes the plan.

Best conditions are usually stable to gently falling flows, clear enough water to see the first shelf, and cool weather that keeps trout handling reasonable. After heavy rain, snowmelt, or thunderstorms, wait for the gauge and clarity to settle before wading.

Clear and stable

Best for dry-dropper fishing, light nymphing, and careful pocket-water work.

Rising after rain

Skip wading and wait. The river can gain speed faster than it looks from the road.

Low summer water

Fish early, carry a thermometer, and move away from stressed trout.

Stained but falling

Use larger nymphs or small streamers tight to softer banks and seams.

Field plan

Fish it with intention.

Best flows

Stable or gently falling flows that leave visible edges, readable pocket water, and safe entries at public access.

When to skip

Skip trout fishing during rising runoff, hot low-water afternoons, thunderstorms, poor clarity, or uncertain access.

Local plan

Base in Lincoln, Woodstock, Plymouth, or Campton; check the gauge first, then choose upper cold-water access or lower mixed-water access.

Backup water

Saco River, Merrimack River, and Androscoggin River pages give nearby alternatives when the Pemi is high, warm, or crowded.

Hatches & flies

Bring a flexible box.

TimingWhat to watchUseful flies

April-MayMidges, early mayflies, stonefliesZebra midge, pheasant tail, prince nymph, small black stone

Reviewed pattern · report says “Zebra midge”Zebra MidgeLook for a very slim tapered thread body, evenly spaced contrasting wire rib, a small bead, and no tail or wing. The reviewed classic is black with silver wire and a silver bead. Red, olive, brown, glass-bead, jig-hook, resin-coated, or tailed forms must remain labeled variations rather than replacing the classic identity.See photos & how to fish it

Reviewed pattern · report says “pheasant tail”Pheasant Tail NymphThe pilot page distinguishes the sparse original idea from the bulkier American form. Both use pheasant-tail fibers and copper wire, but bead heads, peacock-herl thoraxes, legs, flashbacks, jig hooks, and soft-hackle collars are variations that must be labeled.See photos & how to fish it + 2 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box

May-JuneCaddis, Hendrickson-style mayflies, March brown-style mayfliesElk hair caddis, soft hackle, parachute Adams, hare's ear

Reviewed pattern · report says “Elk hair caddis”Elk Hair CaddisLook for a tented elk- or deer-hair wing, clipped hair head, dubbed body, rib, and hackle palmered along the body. The body color should be labeled because tiers often match different natural caddis colors.See photos & how to fish it

Reviewed family · report says “soft hackle”Soft-Hackle Wet FliesA slim body and sparse webby feather collar define the family. Body material, tail, bead, and insect-specific color create different named patterns.See family guide + 2 more reviewed guides in the Fly Box

July-AugustCaddis, small mayflies, terrestrialsFoam ant, beetle, X-caddis, light dropper nymph

Reviewed family · report says “Foam ant”Ant PatternsAnt patterns can be foam, fur-bodied, winged, or sunken. The narrow waist and paired body lobes matter more than one material recipe.See family guide

Reviewed family · report says “beetle”Beetle PatternsBeetle flies range from simple foam shells to hair-bodied and sunken forms. A rounded back and compact profile distinguish the family from ants and hoppers.See family guide + 1 more reviewed guide in the Fly Box

September-OctoberCaddis, BWOs, midgesBWO emerger, soft hackle, small olive bugger

Reviewed family · report says “BWO emerger”Blue-Winged Olive PatternsBWO describes a hatch group, not one fly. Nymph, emerger, dry, cripple, and spinner profiles must stay separate because they occupy different parts of the water column.See family guide

Start with the Woodstock gauge, then match the reach to the flow. Big water near town and smaller upper water fish very differently.

In broken pocket water, fish short drifts and move often. One careful cast to each soft edge beats long blind casting.

In low summer water, fish early or switch targets rather than grinding on warm trout.

Keep a backup plan. Nearby White Mountains water can fish better than the main stem after storms.

Access & responsibility

Know the entry. Know the exit.

Confirm current New Hampshire Fish and Game freshwater rules before fishing. This page is a planning aid, not a substitute for the current regulation digest, posted access rules, or emergency updates.

Woodstock and Lincoln area

Use town access, road pullouts, and posted rules; the river changes quickly around bridges and ledge.

White Mountain National Forest corridor

Check recreation-site hours, fees, parking, and facilities before relying on a specific access.

Campton area

A lower-valley planning zone with day-use and roadside options; confirm posted access before fishing.

Transparent sources

Check the facts behind the plan.

Last material review: 2026-06-02

flowRiverReports: Pemigewasset River flowUSGS Pemigewasset River at Woodstock regulationNew Hampshire Fish and Game fishing rules accessWhite Mountain National Forest: Pemigewasset Ranger District accessWhite Mountain National Forest: Campton Day Use Area safetyNational Weather Service forecast point near Woodstock

Common questions

Before you leave.

What gauge should I check for the Pemigewasset?+

Use RiverReports for the quick chart and USGS 01075000 at Woodstock for the official gauge reference.

Is the Pemigewasset mostly a wade fishery?+

Most visiting fly anglers plan around wading and roadside access, but high flows can make wading unsafe. Match your plan to the gauge and the exact reach.

When should I skip trout fishing on the Pemi?+

Skip when flows are rising, water is too warm, clarity is poor, or access is unclear. A nearby smaller stream or a scouting day is often smarter.