After a warm welcome from the staff and a quick check into our room, we joined some spirited conversation in the lodge at the bar. The Margarita’s hit the spot and we sighed away the long travel day watching the sunset shed a tangerine glow over the warm waters of the Caribbean at our doorstep. The commraderie and grande Margarita’s flowed along with ease as we got to know a fun loving group of anglers from Montana who were nearing the end of a week long stay. The “Montana Crew” spoke of heavy rains and challenging conditions over the past week and said that the fishing and weather had just taken a turn for the better that morning… It would’ve been very easy with present company to take the party “into the backing” that night, but I was more interested in seeing my backing disapear into the morning sunlight.

I felt like a kid on Christmas eve that night trying to sleep with random bits of the evening’s bar conversation swimming around in my head…”18lb Snook, John landed a Permit today!, 35 lb Tarpon off the beach, more bonefish than you can count”…

6:15 am: The postcard perfect view from our room at sunrise.

After a few rounds of coffee we enjoyed an amazing breakfast of omellettes and tons of local fresh fruit.

7:45am: Off to meet Mario, our guide for the next two days.

The walking “commute” to meet the guides on the Lagoon took 1 minute

Motoring across the clear Caribbean waters of Paradise…

Like a gentleman Emilia got first shots on the bow.

After missing some eats Emilia switched seats and I pick this guy up by 8:45

Think she got the hang of that strip-set, Bonefish On!

Mission accomplished!!!

Mario discusses the proper stripping technique for Bonefish.

Does this permit count Mario?………No

Lost count of Bonefish in this spot, time for new water

again

and again

Is 9:45 to early for a beer?

Emilia with Shrimp Fly in the ready position on a new flat.

“Cast 11 o’clock!!! strip strip set!”

The Bonefish late morning did not want to pose with me…

Getting Hot! Lunch in the shade it is…

The view at Boca Paila Lodge:

Snapped this shot during a quick bathroom break at the Lodge…and thought yes it is!

High noon sun beat down on the bow of our skiff as we scanned the water ahead, a 7 weight rod hung at my side like a holstered gun ready to fire my shrimp fly at the subtle sight of cruising bonefish. The atmosphere was silent except for the rythmic and quiet swish of Mario’s push pole inching us along parallel to the mangroves…I could hear my own breathing.
“Permit!” Mario shouts breaking the midday post lunchtime hypnosis! “Switch Rods!” says Mario, as Emilia hands me the crab fly rigged 8wt with and intense look as she whispers “stay calm”. I carefully peel line off the reel in loose coils on the deck. Mario says “a pod of cruising permit at 70ft.” “Where? I don’t see them?” He says “you only get one cast!…10 o’clock!” in a loud whisper. I let go of the fly, and haul out 50 feet of line and drop the crab. “Too short…more line!” Mario exclaims, “cast again 9 o’clock now!” I pick up reload and fire 65 feet of fly line…”wait wait wait…let it sink” My knees start knocking. “Strip it now!” I strip the fly “slower!… long and slow” I strip again. “Keep Stripping!” I strip again and see the fish accelerate on my fly and turn, I feel the line come tight! The fish does an about face with the flick of his tail and speeds off for the deeper waters of the lagoon. I clear the line and smile as the drag begins to sing. “Hell Yeah!” were the only words spoken for the next 20 minutes as the fish and I play tug-of-war game with flyline and backing. Fly line to reel then gone again, repeat…

Sweat poured down forehead burning my eyes as they strained to glimpse the shiny round shape of a broadside permit coming into view. Just as the dark dorsal fin began to appear into our world my mind drifted off, recalling past encounters with this fish’s kin that ended in defeat…a blown first shot at a tailing fish on a little ocean side flat near Duck Key In Florida with friend Jeremy Cameron coaching at my side in 2007. Casting repeatedly to a lock-jawed laid up permit bobbing in the swollen tide of Biscayne Bay in 2008 with the same buddy from a tiny canoe with no reaction whatsoever. A fish so close to the skiff in the backcountry of the Florida Keys I could’ve probably lassoed it, while friend Capt Eric Wallace and my wife ribbed away, I stood on the bow like an idiot gridlocked with the flyline tangle cluster-fuck of a lifetime…These fish all had all brought me here, taught me lessons, tormented my memories, and inspired the journey. None of the fish from past close encounters would shine as brightly as the one I now held… “Thanks for the ride!”

“Hell Yeah!”

Stay Tuned for Part 2…

Let the fun begin!

Here we are again mid season, and fast approaching the dog days of summer. Fortunately water temps are holding in the sixties and I feel we will be set up for some great Late July/August fishing. Caddis are still coming off strong and I find smaller has been better lately with size 18′s and 20′s in dark colors working well. The big summer Stonefly hatches have been keeping fish looking up to take Stimulators, Sofa Pillows, Foam Stones, Bugmeisters and and other large buggy varieties. I generally like fishing these big bugs with a small caddis nymph or emerger in tow. For you stillwater native brook trout fishermen the ponds are still pumping out some strong hexagenia limbata hatches but fish are getting fussier by the day depending on where you fish. When the spinner falls out number hatching duns the end is near.

From now through the end of August I will be fishing the West Branch of the Penobscot, and the Bingham section of the Kennebec, with an occassional jaunt over to the East Outlet of the Kennebec. If you are looking for a new challenge in dryfly fishing, the Wild Rainbow Trout in Bingham will keep you on your toes. Make sure to check your backing knot before you go, as fish over 18 inches will run long and hard… Looking ahead into August many of my trout trips will be split days early morning launches, midday swims followed by siestas and back out for the evening risers. This approach is better for the fish, and the anglers all around.

If you are hesitant to drive north in pursuit of trout there are some stellar opportunities for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass within an hours drive of the Greater Portland area. Email or give a call and we can get you in touch with some WBD’s… guide’s I’d call “Weapons of Bass Destruction”.

We are at the halfway point in our season, and Fall will be here before you know it. If you haven’t fished in September and October in Maine crowds thin out, biting bugs are gone, and the fishing is refreshed by cooling water temps. Give a call and we will get you on it! 207-749-1593

Here is some eye candy from June and July 2011:

May into June has been one hell of a Roller Coaster ride this season with river flows up and down, with many Plan B’s C’s and D’s thrown in the mix, trips canceled and rescheduled. The good news is fishing-friendly flows have finally arrived on the West Branch of the Penobscot, and the fishing has been solid. I have fished the river from 7300cfs on down to 2400cfs with good results all the way through. All tactics have produced in the last few weeks, smelt-style streamers up top and on bottom, Nymphs under and indie or naked, and of course dry flies. Over the last week and a half the dryfly fishing has come on hard, from Henrickson’s to rusty spinners, and as of Saturday night Big Caddis hatches. Prime time is here and once the current damp weather passes the caddis will really take the spotlight.

Speaking of spotlights…

The new Pro Guide Driftboat from Boulder Boatworks is turning some heads. Even Lefty Kreh was impressed with it. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get Lefty out in it and on the water for the day due to Severe Thunderstorms right at the put-in! But we made the best of the day sharing stories and even got some private casting lessons and discussion and lunch with a true legend of the fly fishing world. I hope to be half the caster Lefty Kreh is when I reach his age, he is truly incredible! We will make it happen next year Lefty!

The next month is the time to get out and experience some of the finest dryfly fishing in Maine. From Blizzard caddis and mayflies, to the Big Bugs of summer (Hexes) on a Northwoods pond. If you don’t have plans to get out soon you should…

Want to float a Maine River in style, give us a call or email. Some June/July dates are available.
Cell 207-749-1593

Until next time…

So early this May I began gluing wood,

sanding ribs, epoxying wood, varnishing wood,

more sanding, more varnishing.
After the gunnel scarf joints were glued and all four gunnels were sanded smooth,

I dropped them off to the guys at New England Off Road in Westbrook, Maine to have the gunnels coated with Line-X. The guys at New England Off Road did an awesome job on the gunnels, and I’m very glad I choose this option and feel for long term durability it is the way to go, especially if you have a dog.

It took over a week and a half to get the finish to where I wanted it. Then began the fun part… building the Boat! The build up process took about another week and a half to juggle between days on the water, and rescheduling lost days on the water due to high water.

Mounting Exterior gunnel.

Clamping starboard exterior gunnel.

Setting the Rib ins:

Making the interior gunnel cuts was the most intense part…a short cut would be bad, very bad…

Gunnel bolt detail:

Bare Bow:

Finished Bow Dashboard, and fly deck:

Guide tested, dog approved:

Of course there were fish to be caught during the build:

Chris Loves Brook Trout

Watching that bare hull slowly take the shape of a boat day by day was extremely rewardlng. I can honestly say my blood, sweat, and tears beers went into the building of this Pro Guide driftboat. I had some great help along the way, from my neighbors, my wife, my buddy Josh. The Biggest Thanks! goes to my friend Andrew, who put in a ton of time sanding, clamping gunnels, unclamping gunnels, theorizing, scratching heads, and getting it done. Check him out at Themadtrouter! I also owe a big thanks to the whole crew at Boulder Boatworks who were extremely helpful and supportive from delivering all the way through the build. Thanks Andy, Steve, and Chris for always taking the time to answer my questions no matter how busy you are. You guys Rock!

It was three weeks well spent, and now the real fun begins…

Who wants to Float a Beautiful Maine River?
Grab a seat before the dog beats you to it!
207-749-1593

Check out this fish tale from an recent outing with my friend Jeremy over at www.fliesandfins.com

The new Boulder Boat Works Pro Guide will simply offer my anglers a higher level of comfort in a cleaner fishing platform. The new rig will also easily accommodate a small outboard for motoring out (instead of rowing out) on The East Outlet and Bingham sections of the Kennebec River.

For anyone in the Northeast who has wanted to take one of these for a spin, you have likely had no success tracking one down, until now… If you’d like to get out on the water and see what Boulder Boat Works Drift Boats are all about, give me a call to line up some time in the new rig! Cell: 207-749-1593

Spring wont be long now…

The New Ride.

If you are looking for more refreshing content in print form pick up a copy of The Fly Fish Journal. Think…The Drake meets Gray’s Sporting Journal… Quality photography and content, and I’m not just saying that because of the sweet picture of my boat on the West Branch in Issue 2.3 by Matt Boutet. The article “Worst Guide in the World” by Dylan Tomine had me laughing so hard one morning, I almost got orange juice all over my magazine! For more of Matt’s on the water in Maine photos check out Matt Boutet Photography.

Winter fly tying supervisor - Lily

Fly Fish Journal Issue 2.3 features Big Blue

Last light on the West Branch

I feel fortunate to have spent the last day of the 2010 fishing season reflecting on another amazing year with good friends, family, and spirits…I hope you all did the same.

Happy New Year! Wishing all the best for you, your friends and family in 2011.
Hope to see you on the water in Maine this year!

River Ice

Last Brown Trout of 2010

3wt and river ice

Trout-cicle

Last Years water...

Santa Clause...or Santa Clouser?

Thanks to all the good folks I have spent time on the water with! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Greg B

Mount Katahdin