Upper Androscoggin

[Vermonter]

Nice site!

I live in Northern Vermont and we have just built a cabin in Rangeley. My commute gets really pretty once I turn onto 110 in Groveton and head towards Rte 16 in between Milan and Errol. That section of the Andro looks especially inviting. It would be nice to break up the trip occasionally to fish, any suggestions as to where to start? Floatable in a canoe? Tributaries worth exploring? Appreciate your help.

Thanks Bob Erickson

[fessiewig]

Hi Bob,

Check out the "What's first this year" thread and see if the trip that's brewing fits with your plans. It seems to be on your route.

[dcs2]

Bob:
I've stopped along that stretch of 16 to fish there and had some success. I'm looking forward to trying some streams in VT this summer. I printed out your post to FFIM with the stream you mentioned. I'll have to look it up in DeLorme.

[Ken B]

Bob,

I've started to fish that Andro on my trips home from rangeley the last few years after driving right by it for many. The section right below the dam in good but I've never caught any big fish there but plenty of 8-12" salmon. The canoe put in section just up from Errol is good too.

The 13 mile wood section can be good but get's fished heavily especially from the pull-off spots. This shouldn't deter you as last July I caught a nice 17" brookie holding right up agaisnt the road! That fish along with the two young ladies tubing down the river in bikinis made my day!

I have noticed that the guides tend to fish the far shore as the water is deeper and tends to run a little faster.

Ken B

[bmik]

The stretch in Errol can be fantastic. There is a lot of water if you fish both sides. Flows are very strong so caution is warranted. There are some pretty big fish in this stretch. Wooly buggers in black and olive work real well. (actually, where won't a black wooly bugger work!)

[fessiewig]

Wooly Bugger lovers,

Where ever you'd use a black or olive, try a gray also.

[Gerry]

Bob, check your PM. Gerry

[Blake P]

Hi Bob

Start at the Dam in Errol and work down. It helps if you have a drift boat. You can fish those runs on the way up the 13 mile woods, you know the ones you can see from the road, yes there is fish there.
You should hit the Magalloway on the way there too. or go rt 2 an hit the Andro that way in Gillead.

[troutscout]

I often fish the Errol area. The area just below the dam in Errol is great. Also drive over to the 13 mile wilderness. All the spots where log trucks used to dump in the logs are now great area for rainbow and brookies. Lastly if you feel adventurous, take a drive about 20minutes west of Errol past "The Balsams" head up the hill and fish Little Diamond Pond. Beautiful setting and great fishing. Clear Stream is a small feeder into the Androscoggin in Errol, when its high enough its a great place to chase brookies with a 4 or 5wt.

[mikeg]

Hi all, first time checking out the site. Looks great, nice to see some of the FFIM guys here. I fish the Andro a lot I'll usually start out in the Rangeley area then head out to the Andro because I know there will always be fish. I've got a few friends and relatives into fly fishing and if I want them to be able to cast to rising fish I take them below the Errol Dam. Fish a elk hair and a dropper and your chances of catch two fish at once are very good. Mostly small salmon but fun and there are nicer brookies and rainbows in there too. I've had a few grand slams here catching browns, salmon, rainbows and brookies. My friend Tom and I are looking to float through the 13 mile woods this year and try and hit the opposite bank. I've heard stories of some big browns take through there.

Ken B, nice to see you we shared a beer at the Rapid and then bought you guys some drinks at the four seasons.

MG

[Ken B]

Mike,

Good to hear from you! That beer on the Rapid was one of the best all year!

Ken B

[Vermonter]

Wow, thanks everyone! Great start with the site, I'm always humbled by the generosity of fellow fly fishers.

Bob

[fessiewig]

Bob,

Thank you for asking the question. We all learned a lot. :)

Do you fish Vermont much? I want to try the Lamoil and Woonoski this year. Any pointer on those two rivers. I know, it's not NH but what the heck.

[Vermonter]

Fessiewig - I don't, I haven't even bought a license for the past three seasons. My truck is trained to hop on Rte 2 and head east. The fishing (IMO) in VT pales in comparison with Maine, and now, I hope to find the same in NH. I just went on line and purchased a season non-resident license.

[fessiewig]

Hum! I'm told those two rivers, along with the White are "blue ribbon trout waters". B-T-W, this year I bought a Vermont license to try them which gives me licenses in all three, NH, VT, & ME.

[NotedSage]

Just a thought Fuzzy, sorry Fessi. The site is for fishing in NH, why do you want to know about fishing in VT, and have fishing Licenses in Maine, VT, and NH? Is the fishing in NH going downhill? :D

Another Sage asked: Why are the toilet flush handles on the left side?

[fessiewig]

I spend so much time fishing I need three states to do it. :D . . . . I wish. Actually I wanted to fish those three rivers in Vermont for over 20 years and just decided to do it this year. And as for Maine, Where I live Rangeley, Maine is not any further than going to Pittsburg, so why not.