Along with brook trout, rainbows and browns into the 3- and 4-pound class are possible. Bragg Bay is a good spot for rainbows. Canoes may be launched below the Route 26 bridge and there is some wading where Clear Brook enters on the west side off Route 16.

There's also some good water downstream for the next 10 miles or so. Within the Thirteen Mile Woods natural area along Route 16, there is some classic trout water around Wayside State Park. Downstream, the Seven Island Bridge provides an opportunity to cross the river and fish the pools, riffles and glides on both sides of the river. While fly-fishing is popular, lures may also be used.

Several brooks enter the river along the west bank (the Route 16 side) such as Smoky Camp Brook above Wayside Park, Munn Pond Brook below, Moose Pond Brook and Bear Brook farther downstream. This is big water, so wade with caution at all times. For information on lodging and other services in the area, contact the Umbagog Chamber of Commerce at (603) 482-3906, or log on to www.umbagogchambercommerce.com. For fishing gear and information on river conditions, call the L. L. Cote Sports Center at (603) 482-7777.

The Androscoggin River from Wheeler Bay down to the sawmill dam in Berlin offers some good fishing for lunker browns. But the stretch downstream, from the sawmill dam through Gorham and Shelburne to the Maine border, offers more diverse water and better odds for bigger fish at this time of year.

Despite the presences of several dams, there are long stretches of rapids, riffles, riffles and large pools. The entire stretch is classified as a Wild Trout Water (WTW). This means that there is no closed season, but all fish must be immediately released. Also, fishing tackle is restricted to single barbless lures and flies, or hooks with all barbs pinched.

Fishing for trout, which includes brookies, browns and rainbows, is not allowed between two hours after sunset and one hour before sunrise.

North of Gorham, the best access is from Route 16. But east of the junction of Route 16 south and Route 2 East, the best access is via the North Road, which is about three miles east of the junction in Shelburne. Turn left over the river near the hydro dam, and turn left again onto Hogan Road, which travels close to the river upstream toward the dam above Peabody River.

This is just one good spot for brownies and 'bows. Downstream, the North Road travels into Maine and offers some access to some productive rapids, pools riffles and islands that divert the flow.

Fishermen will find campgrounds and various lodging facilities in the area, as well as a host of other services. For information, contact the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-367-3364.