Perry Stream
Fly fishing in New Hampshire · Intermediate · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Brook Trout
About This Water
Pittsburg brook trout stream. Remote wilderness setting near Canadian border.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Great North Woods. As your guide, I’m excited to talk about Perry Stream. Located in the far northern reaches of New Hampshire, just a stone's throw from the Canadian border, Perry Stream is one of the most storied and productive wild brook trout fisheries in the Eastern United States.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fishing Perry Stream.
🎣 Location Overview
Perry Stream is a quintessential freestone stream that flows through the rugged timberlands of Pittsburg, NH. It originates near the border and eventually flows into the Connecticut River.
What makes it special is its wild character. Unlike the nearby Connecticut River tailwaters, Perry is a natural flow. It features a diverse mix of pocket water, deep undercut banks, long glassy glides, and turbulent plunge pools. It is the definition of "tight quarters" fishing—overhanging alders and balsam firs guard the banks, requiring accurate casting and a stealthy approach. Anglers love it because it offers a true wilderness experience where you are more likely to see a moose than another fisherman.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Primary Species: Wild Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Behavior: These are wild, native-strain fish. They are opportunistic but wary. In the fast water, they are aggressive strikers, but in the slow glides, they are easily spooked by a heavy footfall or a poor cast.
- Where they hold: Look for "the seam within the seam." On Perry, brookies love to tuck tightly against the undercut banks and under the "sweepers" (fallen trees). In the summer, they gravitate toward the oxygenated bubbles at the heads of pools.
- Feeding: Their diet consists heavily of caddis, stoneflies, and terrestrial insects (ants and beetles) falling from the dense canopy.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Optimal Seasons: Summer & Fall
- Summer (Late June – August): This is the prime window for dry fly fishing. While other rivers get too warm, Perry’s high elevation and forest cover keep it cooler. However, in extreme heat, focus on the early morning and late evening.
- Fall (September – October 15th): This is "Magic Hour" on Perry. The brook trout begin their spawning migration and take on spectacular, fiery orange colors. They become more aggressive and territorial.
Best Times of Day
- Summer: Dawn and dusk. The "evening rise" on Perry can be prolific as caddis begin to dance over the riffles.
- Fall: Mid-day. As the water cools, the fish wait for the sun to warm the insect activity.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Dry Flies:
- Royal Wulff or Humpy (Size 14-16): Great for high-visibility in pocket water.
- Elk Hair Caddis (Tan or Olive, Size 14-18): The staple hatch on Perry.
- Black Ants & Foam Beetles (Size 16-18): Essential for summer afternoons.
- Nymphs:
- Pheasant Tail (Size 16-20): Mimics the small mayflies present year-round.
- Prince Nymph (Size 14-16): The touch of flash helps in the tannin-stained water.
- Streamers:
- Black Ghost or Muddler Minnow (Size 10-12): Classic New England patterns that work wonders in the fall.
Effective Techniques
- The "Dry-Dropper": This is the most effective way to fish Perry. Use a buoyant dry fly (like a Stimulator) and hang a small weighted nymph 18 inches below it.
- Tight-Line Nymphing: In the deeper plunge pools, skipping a nymph through the bottom of the column is key.
- Stealth Casting: Because the stream is narrow, learn the Roll Cast and the Side-Arm Cast to get under the overhanging branches.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Shadow" Rule: On Perry, your shadow is your worst enemy. Always fish upstream and stay low. If the sun is at your back, you will spook every fish in the pool before you even cast.
- Tannin Water: The water often has a "tea" color from the surrounding forest. Don't be afraid to use flies with a little bit of internal flash (bead heads or tinsel) to help the fish spot the fly in the darker water.
- Explore North: Most anglers fish near the bridges or the mouth. If you are willing to bushwhack a mile upstream from the road access points, you will find pools that haven't seen a fly in weeks.
- Check the Flow: Perry reacts quickly to rain. If there's a heavy downpour, the stream can "blow out" and become muddy, but it usually clears within 24 hours.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Much of the land surrounding Perry Stream is privately owned by timber companies but open to public recreation through the "Open Woods" tradition. Be respectful. Access is primarily off River Road and Perry Stream Road.
- Regulations: Perry Stream is generally under General Law (two-fish limit, any lure), but many conservation-minded anglers practice 100% Catch and Release here to preserve the wild Brookie population. Always check the current NH Fish & Game Lawbook for the specific year, as boundaries for "Fly Fishing Only" sections can change.
- Wildlife Safety: This is Moose and Bear country. Keep your eyes up while walking to the water, and be mindful of your surroundings.
- Gear: A 7.5-foot to 8.5-foot 3-weight or 4-weight rod is perfect. Use 5X or 6X tippet; these fish are small, but the water can be very clear in the glides.
Tight lines, and enjoy the solitude of the North Woods!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. | mayfly | May, September, October | Mid-day/Afternoon | #18-22 | BWO Parachute #18-22, RS2 #20-22, Pheasant Tail #18-20 |
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria | mayfly | May | Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill #12-14, Hendrickson Nymph #12-14, Snowshoe Rabbit Foot Emerger #14 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus spp. | caddis | May | Morning/Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Dark) #14-16, Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Peacock Caddis #16 |
| March Brown Maccaffertium vicarium | mayfly | June | Mid-day | #10-12 | March Brown Parachute #10-12, Hare's Ear Nymph #10-12, March Brown Wet Fly #12 |
| Sulphur / Pale Evening Dun Ephemerella dorothea | mayfly | June, July | Evening | #16-18 | Sulphur Parachute #16-18, CDC Sulphur Emerger #16-18, Pheonix Nymph #16 |
| Giant Stonefly Pteronarcys dorsata | stonefly | June | Evening/Night | #4-8 | Kaufmanns Stone #4-8, Pat's Rubber Legs #6-10, Stimulator (Orange) #8-10 |
| Slate Drake Isonychia bicolor | mayfly | July, August, September | Afternoon/Evening | #10-14 | Iso Parachute #12-14, Zug Bug #10-12, Prince Nymph #10-14 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Hydropsyche spp. | caddis | July, August | Evening | #14-18 | Caddis Variant #16, Soft Hackle Hare's Ear #14-16, LaFontaine's Emergent Sparkle Pupa #16 |
| Ants and Beetles Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | All Day | #12-18 | Black Foam Ant #14-18, Chernobyl Ant #10-12, Crowe Beetle #14-16 |