With water temperatures in the 30’s and low 40’s, brook trout are not very active, and action is not usually very fast during this time of year. So if you decide to make the trek to this area, bring your 3 or 4 weight and practice your bow and arrow casts. Pristine waters, hidden mountain ponds, and endless miles of secluded streams and rivers. The river flows 170 miles in the state, but the upper section is most notably known for its great fly fishing. C, Upton, etc. Fish it slowly and stealthily, being careful to not kick up too much sediment as you walk. The Rapid River also holds a stellar population of landlocked Salmon that weight up to five pounds and hover around 18 inches. Below this lake is another awesome tailwater fishery that can be easily accessed by highway 16. So be sure to visit local fly shops to match the hatch. Flyfishing for brook trout on any number of small fly fishing only ponds in the region. It takes a serious hike to get there, so the fish get much less pressure than other areas. You may find yourself asking: Where do I fish? Fish can be caught during the heat of summer but it is very technical nymph fishing with sinking lines in the only spring hole of a pond that is a closely guarded secret of those who know it’s location. The rainbows and brown trout average about 14 inches, but 20 inch+ fish are regularly caught and a 31” rainbow was harvested here. The closest the roads will get you is about here. We obviously only condone legal fishing, so here’s just about everything you need to fish legally in state of Maine: Licensing and permitting: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/licenses-permits/index.html, General fishing regulations: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/laws-definitions.html, Salt water fishing regulations: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational-fishing/regs-tips/index.html, Special fishing laws: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/special-laws.html. If you’ve ever gone, you’d know why. Highway 201 follows the Kennebec here and there are several public access points along the road. Fly Fishing for Brook Trout On a Small Pond in Maine - YouTube Below Indian Pond, the Kennebec flows into the Forks Township, where the Dead River flows in. The Magalloway River flows into Lake Umbagog and holds some pretty large brook trout and landlocked salmon. The smelt will run up the brook, streams and rivers on their annual spawning ritual. Although the region is best known among anglers for Moosehead Lake, and its associated … Free Fishing Days: Will take place on February 13-14, 2021 and June 5 … Maine Crafts Maine Lodging Chamber Links The Outdoors Regional Links The Weather Around Maine ... (Note: It is unlawful to troll a fly in waters restricted to fly fishing only). Brook Trout and the beauty of a forest go hand in hand. Overset Pond, Greenwood. Some parts of the river are wadable, but be careful as there are deep pools that are too dangerous to fish. The upper areas of the river are wadable and fishable, albeit it is small pocket water. From a regulatory standpoint, approximately 165 of Maine's wild brook trout lakes and ponds are restricted to fly fishing only. From there, you have about a half-mile of trails and public access along the river. Below Wyman Damn, the tailwaters allow for cold-water trout fishing even during the heat of summer. With easy access from the road and large portions being wadable, this river is extremely productive for fly fisherman. When I think of Maine in think of Brook Trout. With Maine’s rivers running into the ocean, and such a large amount of coastline, there is a ton of water for fly anglers. It’s usually around the middle of May before the water loses its springtime murkiness. I highly recommend the book Flyfisher’s Guide to New England (Amazon link). River Traditions LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com”, https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/lodges/medawisla/, https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/fishing-resources/fish-stocking-report.html, If the spring runoff isn’t too bad, black stoneflies are effective in March and April. Fly Fishing: No more than 3 unbaited artificial flies individually attached to a line may be used. Most of you probably know Trident Fly Fishing is located in the picturesque state of Maine. From Aug. 16 - Sept. 30, all salmon must be released alive at once. This River is frequently stocked, and native brook trout and landlocked salmon can be caught. Another hotspot is referred to as the “Forks” where the Dead River tributary joins the Kennebec here. We have several fly fishing only ponds in the area that offer some of the best fly fishing in Maine. You’ll be fishing wild, natural brook trout far from any significant populations. The Roach River flows into Moosehead Lake in North Central Maine. callback: cb Add a name or favorite quote. Check them out – https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/lodges/medawisla/. Fishing the Rapid River is a challenge, as getting there is quite difficult. Along with its wild and native brook trout, the Kennebec holds landlocked salmon, brown trout, and rainbow trout. Near the border of Vermont, and towards the city of Quebec, the Kennebago starts at Big Island Pond in the Seven Ponds township and flows through two lakes, Kennebago Lake and Little Kennebago Lake, until it reaches its end at Cupsuptic Lake. If you need help selecting flies for The Kennebago River or anywhere else, checkout this FREE Downloadable Hatch Chart. Our boats are 17 foot Rangeley boats with 5hp motors. Both the upper and middle sections of the river fish best in spring and fall when the water temperatures are cooler. That meant that we would be accessing some of Northern Maine’s top shelf ponds in Libby’s newly acquired Cessna185. The lower section of the river fishes very well year-round due to lower water temperatures. The northern portions of Maine are filled with lakes and ponds that house large brook trout, landlocked salmon, bass, crappie, pickerel, pike, and everything else you could imagine. There’s good access to this area by way of State Route 27. The river itself is limited to fly fishing only, which lowers the pressure on the fish and allows the brook trout to grow to considerable size. What I will tell you are some ways to organize yourself for those over night trips. Air Travel and Bugs; Map to Allagash Lodge; Dog Friendly; Contact Us. BWOs hatch from May until September. The Kennebec’s East Branch starts in Moosehead Lake near Rockwood. This stretch of the river is full of pocket water, shallow riffles, long runs, and deep pools. Maine trout fishing is characterized by pool fishing, so its these deep pools you should focus on. The article was written by Fly Lords team member Max DesMarais of hikingandfishing.com. If you grab a Maine gazetteer, you will be able to find some of those remote ponds. From there, it flows 3 miles to Indian Pond. It sustains wild populations of brook trout and landlocked salmon, and is one of the best landlocked salmon fisheries in the country. In that short distance, the river drops over a hundred feet, creating a brisk flow, hence the name. “Presumpscot” literally translates to “many falls and many rough places” and that name fits it perfectly. But it holds wild brook trout and landlocked salmon in its various waters ranging from pocket water to 170-foot wide river flows. You don’t want to bring a knife to a gun fight and lose a trophy fish because you were too lazy to bring the right gear. Wherever there is a bay, or wherever there’s a river flowing to the ocean, there’s probably a very good place to fish very close by. Learn how your comment data is processed. This resource will give you the most up-to-date regulations. (function() { Brook trout in the Roach average about 10 inches, but some of the bigger fish will get nearly 3 pounds. The water on one part of the river will be completely different from others, ranging from swift rapids and steep drop-offs to long slow riffles and Stillwater. A great book to planning your next fly fishing trip or looking to exploring some new water. March Browns hatch through June, with Yellow Stoneflies starting around the same time. } The answer is pretty much everywhere. The salmon are usually about 15 inches. There are a dozen significant waterfalls on its 25-mile flow into Casco Bay. The region boasts one of the top 10 salmon and togue lakes in Maine (West Grand Lake), one of the top 5 riverine fisheries for salmon (Grand Lake Stream), some of the very best smallmouth bass angling in the state, and the premier lake for whitefish in eastern Maine, There are fishing opportunities in the Upper Kennebec Valley of Maine for everyone. Dodge Pond is a small 338 acre fresh water lake that runs north and south 4 miles west of the town of Rangeley on route 16. North and South Zones: From April 1 to August 15: Open to open water fishing. Maine Guide Fly Shop can get you on stripers, brook trout ponds, bass, rivers, and just about everything else you could want. Here is a complete list of all of the rivers in Maine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Maine. From August 16 to September 30: Open to open water fishing using artificial lures or flies only. It is important to take a look at Maine state regulations before heading out on the water. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife owns the land surrounding the river providing ample access to the water. The Dead River is another fishery with a wide variety of fishing situations. The Kennebec has strong seasonal hatches of flies and aquatic insects. (Title 12, §12654-A). Fly Shop has been specializing in fly fishing supplies since 1992. { If you can find the deep holes of which there are many, you will find some big fish. The river also get substantially larger as you get closer to the ocean. If you’re looking to fish for native brook trout in total seclusion, fish the Allagash River in northern Maine. Locate in Cape Neddick, Eldredge Bros. This state has more than 100 years’ worth of fly fishing and because of that the residents have managed to develop their very own unique fly fishing styles and patterns. Most fishing for the Brook trout on the Kennebago will be done with nymphs and streamers. The upper stretches of the river are not dammed and contain lots of native fish. Throw dark sculpin patterns in the early season, and yellow later on. Summer is decent, and Spring can be great depending on the snowmelt. The day of your fly fishing guiding trip may start at our base camp on Dodge Pond in Rangeley, Maine. It houses brook trout, salmon, warm water species, and even stripers further down south. Fly fishing for native squaretail brook trout is steady and productive. Maine’s biggest river is the 350 mile long Penobscot. It can be a bit overwhelming to decide where to go if you are not familiar with the state. Flatwater Fly Fishing. Maine Fly Fishing – Where to Go, What to Expect, Seasons &... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_River, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rivers_of_Maine, http://www.maineflyfishing.com/ffowater.htm, https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/licenses-permits/index.html, https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/laws-definitions.html, https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/special-laws.html, 7 States Declared “Fishing Disasters” After Mississippi River Algae Blooms, Video of the Week: Barramundi on the Fly with “Pelagic Pursuit”, Denver Mart to Close Permanently in April, Amazonian “River Monster” Discovered in Florida Waterway. Your best bet is to talk with local guides for an area that you’d like to travel to. Anglers can also land rainbow trout and brown trout. Stripers are big, they are strong, and they are damn fun to catch. Check the flows and make sure it’s safe before you go out. People in New England simply loves striper fishing. This is a difficult river to wade. Every trout in the pond will be gathered in an area of spring water that may not be any bigger than a tennis court. 'Vacation Land', as it's aptly referred to, weaves grand wilderness and close-knit coastal communities into a state quilt that's pretty dynamic. The base camp was part of Badger Sporting Camps founded in the late 1800’s. Best sinking fly line: Class V Sink Tip Fly Line North Maine Woods Ponds Description The ponds of the North Maine Woods offer countless opportunities to catch native Brook Trout in an untouched environment, sharing the water with a moose, osprey or … Fishing on the Rapid River is best in September, and continues to be good throughout the fall. We recommend having heavy nymph set ups and streamers. Richardson Ponds, East, Adamstown Twp. Maine is a big state, it has an absurd amount of rivers, Lakes, and places to fish along the shoreline. It holds fat brookies and landlocked salmon. The river has as many pools and riffles making it a great fly fishing experience. The late spring, early summer hatches can offer the fisherman a very rewarding day of fishing. To get to this water, you’ll want to go here: As you move downstream, you’ll start to encounter bigger fish in bigger water. However, when the … If you’re looking to fish for native brook trout in total seclusion, fish … You’ll also see rules and regulations for those waters. Here you’ll find a ridiculously long list of fly fishing only ponds in the state of Maine. Imagine flyfishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked salmon in the Kennebec River. It’s a catch and release, fly fishing only river that is beautiful and full of good sized brookies and landlocked salmon. This is a pattern that I have come to fish often, almost all times of the year. Continuing downriver to Moscow, Maine, the Kennebec forms Wyman Lake. Since 2012, Flylords has been a proud leader in telling the stories of anglers and guides from around the world. Keep your eyes open, or just contact a local guide. Getting to the river involves either a boat ride or a decent hike, but the trip is well worth it. While it’s 140 mile length make it the longest free flowing river in the Eastern half of the country, it rarely gets fished. The Kennebec River is a 170-mile long river entirely within the state of Maine. Fishing on the Kennebec is also interrupted by snowmelt, as this area receives a significant amount of annual accumulation. This list is comprised of extensive research by Fishing Northeast from various sources. Spring runoff can create difficult fishing conditions, so check with local fly shops to learn about the flows. If you haven’t gone, you need to. Max is part of the marketing team for Flylords, handling the weekly newsletter and other aspects of digital marketing. When it comes to fly fishing lakes and ponds in Maine, there are absolutely endless opportunities. The sections from Lake Umbagog to the pond in the river are the most productive sections. (see below). Note: Note: It is unlawful to troll a fly in waters restricted to fly fishing only (Title 12, §12658). Fly casting and flying trolling only with single-hooked flies or tandem-hooked flies. This will get you away from the crowds and offer some incredible fishing. Fly fishing in all Maine trout ponds is strongly influenced by the seasons, and depending on location and elevation, ice-out can occur anytime from early April to mid-May. Here’s a LINK to my store -> River Traditions, “This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. Josh and the team at All Points Fly Shop can set you up with flies in the South Portland area. Where To Fish on the Kennebago River. The most productive sections of the Androscoggin River are from the New Hampshire border to around 30 miles in to Maine. A complete list of rivers is impossible, but a list of lakes and ponds is even harder. … To cover everything, I’d recommend a 3 or 4 weight rod for the pocket water, and a 6 weight rod for the larger streams. You can wade or fish from a drift boat if you prefer. In this area, the brook trout are known to grow to over 20 inches and weighing up to 5 pounds. Below, you will find information on where to fish, the laws, and even guides that you can reach out to. For fly fishing in Maine, Kidney Pond, located in the southwest corner of Baxter State Park, offers the most fish species, with good populations of brook trout and smelt. Another awesome, secluded fishery is the Kennebago River. So picking the right fly can be hugely advantageous on this river. GREAT POND means any natural body of water more than 10 acres in size. If you are interested in striper fishing, Shoals Fly Fishing can get you onto stripers in both New Hampshire and Maine. The entire river is remote, difficult to get to, and rewarding to those who make the effort. Don’t believe us? The Rapid River flows out from Umbagog Lake only about 3.5 miles until it empties into Lower Richardson Lake. listeners: [], I won’t talk too much about this one, because it’s a local secret. This water is full of the fat brookies you come here for and holds plenty of landlocked salmon. But it is stocked full of brookies, brown trout, and land-locked salmon every spring. The entirety of the Kennebec River houses good fishing due to the consistent flows and dams throughout the state. When it comes to fly fishing lakes and ponds in Maine, there are absolutely endless opportunities. Narrow Pond; Maine Muskie Fishing; Fly List; Brook Trout; Fishing Regulations; Piscataquis County Photos; Fishing Photos 2013; Lodge photos 2012; Fishing Photos 2011; Older Photos; Maine Fishing Videos ; Pricing. })(); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When in doubt, always contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. But the real hot spot is between the lower dam and Lake Umbagog. This is by no means a complete list of rivers. You’ll find fly fishing anglers reeling in brook trout, salmon and even smallmouth bass (that they toss on-shore). RS2. The Penobscot is Maine’s largest river with a length of 370 miles. The rapid River is known for being one of the best brook trout fisheries in the entire country. In this river, the brookies average four pounds. With its size is best navigated with a raft, kayak, or some other type of water transportation. Maine is a beautiful state for all types of outdoor lovers. } In the summer, the Presumscot is too warm to sustain trout populations. These are fished from a stable canoe or kayak. https://www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational-fishing/regs-tips/index.html. Their local guides advanced the sport of fly fishing by developing many of the flies and techniques used today. This 6.5 mile stretch is fly fishing only, making it an outstanding fishery. https://twin-maple-outdoors.business.site/, http://www.mainedeepseafishingcharters.com/, https://www.westernmaineguideservice.com/. But you aren’t here for the rapids, you fish Rapid River because it’s one of the best places in the country to catch a monster brook trout. We recommend looking at several of these, and picking the one that serves the area you’re looking to fish in. There is a pool between Lake Mooselookmegntic and Upper Richardson that’s just a half-mile hike away. Max DesMarais is a New Hampshire native and an avid outdoorsman with a passion for fly fishing. Libby Camp is a Northern Maine fly-in lodge that has the Motto: “Catch and Relax” Specializing in Trout, Salmon and Smallmouth Bass. Outside of Flylords, Max is a marketing strategist and runs his own site at. Through film, photography, and journalism we strive to make each story as unique as the person or place it’s based off. From there, you’ll have to access the river by foot. Small brown stoneflies in the early spring, Sculpins, clousers, articulated streamers, and buggers year round especially in the fall, Green Drakes hatch in June and BWOs hatch early spring and late summer, Small Caddisflies hatch in the summer in early fall, Damsel and dragonfly nymphs work great in the summer, Black and Grey Ghost streamers and sculpin patterns are always working, especially in the fall, Maine Guide Fly Shop is an experienced fly shop that has served the Maine Fly Fisher for years –. on: function(evt, cb) { You may want to check out our guide to fly fishing nymphs, or our guide to fly fishing streamers before you head to the rapid River. All fish above Salon on the Kennebec are wild or native fish, as the fishery is not stocked. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { The Allagash River to Fling a Fly. Starting at Route 35 near Windham is the fly fishing only section of the river, and it’s the most commonly fished. At the rapid river it is extremely important to get your flies deep. The northern portions of Maine are filled with lakes and ponds that house large brook trout, landlocked salmon, bass, crappie, pickerel, pike, and everything else you could imagine. This is deep water, so focus on nymphing and streamers. You’ll also find landlocked salmon in this water and a few brown trout. There are countless others with great fishing. That is why we recommend reaching out to local guides that can get you on the most productive fishing spots, tell you what flies are working, and give you a great experience. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( So after lunch two smiling guest and one suspicious guide jumped into the Cessna, fly rods in hand. Lower sections of the river are extremely productive for other fish species. The Roach River starts at First Roach Pond in Kokadjo and flows into Spencer Bay on Moosehead Lake. forms: { S-5. Pond action begins in early spring just after ice out on those bodies of water that have smelt as a resident bait fish. There are campsites near the river that you can utilize for longer trips. Pond In The River and Rapid River, Twp. The further downriver you go, the more remote your fishing will be. } With the long coastline, mountains, lakes, and some of the best brook trout fisheries in the country, it is an incredible destination. It is here that the brook trout grow to sizes greater than 5 pounds and the salmon are frequently longer than 15 inches. S-5, S-22. There are various fishing situations on the rivers of Maine. The Presumspcot River is an appropriately named small to medium sized river that flows out of Sebago Lake. I like size 14-18 purple. Check them out here – https://www.libbycamps.com/index.php, Maine Wilderness Lodges has MEDAWISLA LODGE AND CABINS set in northern Maine in the 100-Mile Wilderness. The salmon, in particular, mostly forage on the smelt population. Fully guided fly fishing trips to these remote ponds is a unique experience for even the avid fisherman. Wild Blueback Charr. Fish a different water every day if you wish. event : evt, Salmon average around 15 inches in the river. From October 1 to March 31: Closed to all fishing. If you walk up river form this point, you’ll come to the “Dam Pool” which holds a good population of fish. } Actually, we found one resource that does have a list: http://www.maineflyfishing.com/ffowater.htm The Kennebec is a highly reliable tailwater fishery due to the several dams that interrupt its flows. The lower section of the river is heavily fished, but you still shouldn’t have problem landing big brookies. Deep dark forests with bubbling creeks occasionally blocked up by beaver. Tim Pond has never been stocked. Access is difficult, again, as you must either hike or take the unpaved roads. Down river from the Dam Pool, you will find the Gage Pool, then the Bridge Pool. Another off-the-beaten-path fishery in Maine is the St. Johns River. There are a large amount of fly fishing guides in the state of Maine, so this is below list may seem overwhelming. Want to find out where the State of Maine is Stocking fish? Fishing famous Pierce Pond for brook trout and landlocked salmon. It requires a significant hike or a boat. From there, it grows wider and joins Wyman Lake in Moscow, until eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. All trout must be released alive at once. While most states offer fly fishing opportunities of some sort or another, not all have a history as rich as Maine's. I could list a hand full of ponds that hold trophy fish but that would take the thrill out of the pursuit. If you need to purchase a fishing license please do so on the Maine Government Website. Anglers frequently hook into salmon and brook trout. The lower has plenty of ants, hoppers, and beetles. Our goal is simple: inspire the next generation to get outdoors and hit the water! Cumberland County – Maine Lakes and Ponds. Heck, a 6 weight would even be warranted. Most of our North Maine Woods fly fishing waters are designated HERITAGE WATERS (certified as only WILD TROUT) We offer lake, pond, stream and river fishing for Native Wild Brook Trout, Maine Arctic Charr and Land Locked Salmon. In Maine there are approximately two hundred lakes and ponds designated by Maine Fish and Wildlife as fly fishing only… This makes it a perfect place to fish from an inflatable raft. I am presenting The Fly Fishing Only Ponds of Maine slide presentation at The Eastern Maine Sportsmans Show in Orono this coming weekend. These fish are, for whatever reason, more powerful than fish in other areas of the river and are known to be more particular than other populations. The largest is 1,700 acre Kennebago Lake—purported to be the largest fly-fishing-only water east of the Mississippi. There are trails by the river, and parking is available. Access to the river at this point can be found right below the dam. The Rangeley Lakes have been a fishing mecca ever since the 1870s, when East Coast urbanites first heard of the 8-10 lb trout being caught here. ); Because some of the salmon and even the brook trout can reach nearly 5 pounds, you’ll want to pack your 5 weight to fish here. The river is not only beautiful, but it houses extremely large brook trout and a great salmon population. While we stride to bring you the most accurate information, we cannot be 100% sure on all accuracy due to outdated or incorrect information that we may have collected. Since the Kennebec is so large, different areas of the river will fish drastically different from others, and fishing is largely dependent on the releases of the dams. Read More About the Kennebec River: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_River. The blue back trout, known as arctic charr, is a rare fish. Fly Fishing School. 5. Bob Johnson; Nilla; Steve Lauber; Sitemap; Fly List for Brook Trout on Narrow Pond in northern Maine. Two tributaries, the East and West Branches of the Kennebec, form the main river, both of which flow into Indian Pond. Fly fishing on Maine trout ponds starts after ice-out, which occurs from early April to mid-May, depending on the location and elevation.