I've been a fan of North Country Angler for more than 20 years. Growing up in the White Mountains of NH, I was blessed with a plenitude of lakes, rivers, and trout streams. And while fly fishing was popular in these parts long before the existence of businesses that specifically catered to the sport (as evidenced by the abundance of fly fishing gear I inherited from my great uncle after his passing), it was shops like North Country Angler that changed fly fishing for me, as I knew it. During my childhood, I fished with hand-me-down rods...first, a fiberglass Fenwick, and later, a graphite Pflueger...but I yearned for the day when I could purchase my own rod, with a well-balanced reel and a line that was properly weighted for the entire set-up.
That day came when I was 16, shortly after I got my drivers license. I had heard of the North Country Angler, so with a pocketful of money, I skipped an afternoon study hall and departed on the 45 minute journey to what would become my mecca for the remainder of my tenure in NH. I remember entering the shop, and I saw more rods, reels, clothing, gadgets, and fly tying materials than I ever imagined to exist. I was greeted from behind the counter by a mustached man, whom I later learned was Farrow Allen -- the expert fly tyer and respected author.
Farrow sold me my first modern fly rod and reel, and he became a mentor of sorts to me during my formative years as an angler. He provided me with sound advice on equipment, casting, and fishing. He was well read in the fishing literature, and was quick to recommend a book specific to any fish species or fishing condition. When I began tying flies, Farrow guided me toward the best resources and materials. I used to tell him about a secret stretch of river that held enormous brown trout in mid-to-late October. He encouraged me to get out and catch these fish, and I remember driving to North Conway to show him my rod, which was now an accidental 3-piece, because I had FINALLY hooked one of these monster trout.
I credit North Country Angler with providing me with the basic skill set that has allowed me to adapt and expand my abilities to pursue multiple fresh and saltwater game fish species across the globe. In fact, as Farrow became more infatuated with tropical saltwater game fish, so did I expand my horizons to include northern pike, striped bass, and bluefish, which were not nearly as popular to pursue in the early 1990s as they are today.
Farrow's flirtation with tropical saltwater game fish became strong enough that he would eventually leave the Mount Washington Valley for warmer climates, but before he did, he introduced me to Janet Thompson. Janet was the most gung-ho angler I had ever met. I was awed by her tales of fishing and guiding expeditions in places such as Wyoming and Montana, to name a few. This woman knew her stuff, and I am not at all surprised that she eventually became the proprietor of North Country Angler.
Sure, North Country Angler has everything you need to gear yourself for a day of fishing on sweet or salt water. But is this really all that fly shop is? Absolutely not! In an era when you can purchase anything you require on-line with a click of a button, North Country Angler withstands the test of time by maintaining a legacy of dedication to the Mount Washington Valley. They are ardent supporters of conservation and the preservation of recreational angling. Perhaps most importantly, they carry on the level of expertise that was established more than 30 years ago. These days, I don't make it to North Conway nearly often enough. However, when I do, I always stop by North Country Angler, because no other fly shop has ever had as much of a positive impact on my angling as they have. North Country Angler is truly as good as it gets! read more