Ernesto Burden E-mail | Web site | Twitter Ernesto Burden is VP Digital for The Telegraph and NH.com. He lives in Manchester, NH with his family.

This is the year I think my eldest child, my second-grader, is old enough to learn to fly fish. And so begins what I hope is a steady ramping-back-up of my time on the water tossing flies at trout. For obvious reasons, I've fished less since the kids came along. And I've been looking forward to this teaching process with all of them since before they were even born, because the only thing I can think of that's better than wading into a stream to commune with the rhythms of the hatching insects, the rising trout, the meandering currents, is doing it with your progeny standing just upstream. Besides, what a great excuse to go fishing!

To suggest that fishing season is almost upon us would not be entirely accurate. The diehard fisherman can find something to fish for in New Hampshire from January well into the fall. (You can check species and water specific seasonal regs here.) But to me, the best, most idyllic season for wading and casting for trout in our part of New England starts in the warming days of April, after that early-spring wind has begun to die down a bit. On through May and early June, the water temperature has begun to rise to the nice 55F that the trout love, and the hatches of insects are picking up.

It is during these lovely stretches of late spring and early fall that the trout fishing on New Hampshire streams is as beautiful as it ever gets, and if you're wondering if it's as pretty, and meditative, and graceful as the movies make it out to be; it is. Though there's a bit of work that goes into getting to that point, though.

Getting started

If you've never tried fly fishing before, here's a mini-primer on what you need to get started, in terms of gear and instruction:

1. A 5- or 6-weight fly rod and appropriately sized reel to hold a matching weight flyline.

2. Flyline, tippets and backing.

3. A selection of flies appropriate to the river or other water body, season and technique, and something to carry them in.

4. Fly floatant, if you'll be using dry flies.

5. Some instruction – whether book, video or in person – on casting, on tying the proper knots (these are key to keeping fish and flies attached to your line), on reading the water, on matching the hatch, and more.

Other things you'll eventually want include: waders, a fly fishing vest for carrying all your flies and gadgets, a stream thermometer, nippers (like nail clippers for snipping off extra tippet), and guides and maps for top streams and rivers in the state, etc.

Seems like a lot, I'm overwhelmed

If all that seems a bit overwhelming, don't worry. Fly fishermen love gear and technical details, and are willing to share knowledge – with the exception perhaps of their favorite stretches of stream. But on gear, somebody will help you out. Besides, another great pleasure of the sport is hanging out at your local fly fishing shop, shooting the breeze and picking the brains of the folks who work there.

I also recommend taking a class or finding a guide to take you out for the first time (or both). You'll spend a lot less time fumbling around and guessing at what you're supposed to be doing, and a lot more time fishing.

Free workshop in May

One great opportunity for learning is the state's Fish and Game Department organized free beginner fly fishing workshop coming up this May. The class, "Fly-Fishing A-Z," is Saturday, May 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Harris Center in Hancock, N.H.

This program is designed for first timers, and will cover all the basics. There will even be a few rods available to practice with (let Fish and Game know when you register if you need to borrow one), though it's recommended that you bring your own if you have one or borrow one from a friend if you don't. Participants will learn the basics on day one, and then on the second day, hit the stream for some fishing!

It's open to any 13 and older, though kids under 16 must to be accompanied by an adult.

Space is limited and applications must be received by April 30. To register, print out and send in this form from the Fish and Game website: http://www.fishnh.com/Fishing/lets_go_fishing_class_schedule.

Other resources

Here are a few other resources for information on fly fishing in New Hampshire:

Introduction to fly fishing in New Hampshire from NHMagazine.com

NH Fish and Game's fishing page (find all the rules and regs here)

NH.com's List of Outfitters and Guides (includes several fly shops)

Favorite spots?

If you have a recommendation for a great place to fly fish for trout in New Hampshire, please leave it in the comment box below. I'll start with two of my favorite spots:

1. Pittsburgh, NH – The Connecticut River. This is an unbelievably good stretch of big water in dramatic Great North Woods landscape. I have had some of the best fishing of my life here, just north of Lake Francis. Check out fishing guide Sean Smith's description here:

2. New Boston, NH - The Piscataquog. This is a pretty stretch of southern New Hampshire water flowing through a picturesque New England village. I've had good luck just north of New Boston along Route 13.

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