Where to go

[wb man]

Hey everyone; first off, great site!

My wife and I are planning a trip to NH this summer, probably in July, and Im wondering where a good "general" area may be to go. We enjoy the Conway area since there is something to do other than fishing, although I dont know why anyone would want to do anything but fish but my wife does. Anyway, Ive been to Dolly Copp a few times but cant recall how close to Conway it is, if at all. Also, like I said, I would like a general area close to many areas to fish, but not too far off from some shopping, site seeing, etc. We may also be visiting Santas Village and/or Story Land so I would like something close to those areas as well. Any recomendations?

Thanks a bunch. Duane

[fessiewig]

Ahhhh, Santa's Village. That's up in my neck of the woods. If that becomes a definite let me know and I'll advise conditions and locations as we get closer. Maybe I can even join you. In the mean time I'll do some research on the areas in between here and Conway.

Maybe Mountain Man can jump in, he has a fly shop (North Country Anglers) in North Conway and will be doing our fishing reports from over there.

[granger]

wb man, If you were to stay at Dolly Copp you could go down and fish the Ellis River in the fly fishing section and have a good time, or you could go and fish the Androscoggin in the Section in Gorham on down to the Maine line. The evening on the Soco can be good down behind the golf course.
Enjoy

[Flyfish99]

How does the Peabody river fish these days? Back in the seventies, when my kids were small, we used to spend a few days now and again at Dolly Copp, and I'd fish the Peabody in the evenings, with some measure of success.

[wb man]

Appreciate the info guys. Ive been doing a bunch of web searching on maps, NH laws and camping areas and Im more than overwhelmed. I really liked Dolly Copp so knowing it I may just go back there, but I like to try new things too. Also, trying to stay away from the Saco and Andro since Ive fished those rivers near the Maine boarder before and Im looking for some new ground. Thanks again, keepem' comin' if youve got suggeestions. I appreciate it. Duane

[Squaretail]

Stayed at Dolly Copp last October and the Peabody was right over the banking from our site. Still plenty of water in it and beautiful small pools behind boulders of all sizes. But we only managed a few small brookies in the 6-8" range. They were beautiful fish but we really had to work for them. Size 16 pheasant tail nymphs and hare's ear seemed to draw the most attention.
Duane. Another part of NH that has both good fishing and plenty of stuff to keep wives and kids happy and content is across the Kancamagus Hwy over in the Loon/Lincoln area. Plenty of campgrounds ( Hancock and Big Rock on the Kanc.- and Russell Pond, which is my favorite, at exit 31 off Rt 93). Lots of good fishing from small streams to the Swift, East Br of the Pemi, the Pemi and a dozen good ponds. Lincoln has all the shopping and there are a bunch of "attractions" for other things to do.
I'll be fishing the West Branch the last week in June. Hopefully the fishing will keep building on last year. Should be plenty of water coming out of Rip Dam and that's got to a good thing for the smelt and the LL's.

[sbeausol]

I would say Dolly Copp is not more than 20-30 min from North Conway. Definately plenty of fishing options, with the Eliis and the Peabody rivers there. The Peabody is a great native brook trout fishery, but they also stock some larger rainbows near the camp ground. Fishing is good if the flows aren't too high. This river drains Tuckerman's so it can change often.

If you want more variety, you could camp somewhere on the Kanc and have the wife spend some time in lincoln. From there you would have access to the Pemi and also some remote ponds. In addition you could hit profile lake and the many small brooks in the area for brookies...

Not sure you can lose either way...

[dcs2]

I enjoy your posts on fishing and tying on FFIM and wish that I could help you. About all I can say is that my 4 year old granddaughter loved Storyland. You can really have a day of fun there. Right along 16 is the Ellis River. I don't know how it would fish in July. Any chance of getting over to the Pemi and fishing below the dams?

[fessiewig]

Perhaps you should be looking at the special regulations section of Big Andy. I'm hearing some pretty special stuff about that piece of water.