It’s an especially busy time for the region’s growing number of young fishing enthusiasts. Back in 2013, the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association held a trial bass fishing competition in the spring. And based on the response, they certified bass fishing as a varsity sport that fall. Both the Keene and Monadnock high schools have had teams ever since, and Hinsdale recently joined in, as well. “I think this is the largest group between all three schools we’ve ever had. I love it,” describes coach Sean Graves.

The only trouble is finding enough boats to put all the kids in! “We rely strictly on volunteers to help take the athletes out,” Graves explains. This season, the team managed to wrangle nearly two dozen boats, taking on competitions on Squam, Winnipesaukee, and more locally on Spofford Lake. “We have about eight alumni that come back every year and donate their time to take the next generation of kids out fishing, which is pretty cool,” Graves says.

Graves has been coaching one sport or another since he was in high school himself in the mid 80s. Whether it’s downhill skiing, cross country, volleyball, or fishing, he says coaching “has always been kind of in my DNA.” As someone who thrives on competition, he finds the opportunity to pass down his love of sports extremely rewarding. And it feels pretty incredible when one of his players takes it even further, competing at the collegiate level or even becoming a coach themselves.

Graves’ enthusiasm is clearly contagious, with local teens returning to area bass fishing events each fall. Interestingly, autumn isn’t actually the ideal time for this sport. With cooling water temperatures, the fish can be sluggish and unpredictable. While spring offers better conditions, New Hampshire’s catch-and-release rules during spawning season make it impractical for the high school sport. But there’s still plenty of action to be found in fall. Bass, walleye, and crappie are the top targets for competitive anglers this time of year, with bass leading the pack thanks to their resilience and popularity in tournaments.

Whether you’re out on Spofford Lake, Powder Mill Pond, or the Connecticut River, locals of all ages can find a place to drop a line. Shoreline access can sometimes be challenging since New Hampshire’s waterfront properties have seen significant development. But if you can grab a kayak or find a friend with a boat and head out on the water, you’ll make some awesome memories. “We are so, so lucky in our corner of the state,” Graves says. “If you pull up a map, we have tons of little bodies of water, and we have some of the best fisheries around.”

For locals, the joy isn’t only in landing a bass. It’s in the quiet mornings on the water, the shared stories, and the sense of place that comes with living in the 603. From kids trying out their first cast to parents and grandparents passing down tips learned decades ago, fishing remains a local sport that ties generations of Monadnockers together.