Trout fishing in the Jefferson area....

[Steve H.]

I just agreed to go camping with some friends up near Jefferson next weekend. Wondering where might be a good place to break out the 2-wt. Anyone fish the Israel or S. Branch Israel? How about the numerous little tribs that cross Rt. 2. Stag Hollow Brook near Six Gun City looks interesting on the Gazeteer, at least.

[sbeausol]

try the peabody river on 16

[Steve H.]

Thanks.....I love the Peabody and consider this my "plan B" if I can't find something else on the other side of the Presidentials.

[FishcaneNH]

Hi there, Steve~

I've not done especially well on the Israel in the last couple of years, but if you're looking for some nice little brookies the tribs are pretty fine choices. Give the Notch River (runs through Jefferson Notch along the Notch Road) a try. A big'un will be 6-7", but if they had size like thay have heart we'd never land one.

There's a little brook that crosses 115 just below the intersection of 115-A (I think) that always seems to have a few trout in it too.

Explore lots and have fun. Those little Natives love a Hornberg fished dry...

All best~

Dan

[Steve H.]

Thanks for the info! I considered getting up there via Jefferson Notch Road and your comment definitely makes the choice easy. I'll let you know how I do.

[LeeG]

Go up the Jefferson notch road from the valley road and fish the south branch of the Israel. That river is small but has both native brookies and stream reared Rainbows. If you hock a rainbow around 6 to 7 inches long look out. They are like pinballs and some of the most fun you can have fishing those small rivers.

Lee

[fessiewig]

One thing which should be added here is the South Branch of the Israel River is in the White Mountain National Forest. Being as it's in the White Mountain National Forest you'll need a parking permit to park any place in the forest or you are subject to a ticket and fine.

p.s. The Israel River itself is not in the WMNF.

[grebl]

I wonder how you did? That was quite a lot of rain on Saturday night, I hope you stayed dry.
I managed to fish up along Jefferson Notch Road on Friday and caught a few. One was a very nice 9"+ brookie (clipped) caught in a shallow riffle. Others were smaller, no rainbows. The water was a chilly 58 degrees. Nice spot to fish.

[Steve H.]

Grebl, glad you got up there and caught a few. I didn't get a chance to fish along Jefferson Notch Rd., although I wanted to. Check out the "Fishing Reports" forum for my update.