Maine Fishing Report: Trout, Salmon, Bass and Pike oh my…
Been a long busy ride this Spring. Conditions are finally stabilizing, and hatches are coming on strong from the Kennebec to the West Branch of the Penobscot. Flows on the Branch have been stable (for the most part) if not low for this time of year. The lake is not yet at full capacity, so we hope levels stay within comfortable wading and drifting ranges. Hatches overall have been a bit late, but we have seen an incredible variety this year. Everything from huge Sulpher & caddis hatches…March Browns, bwos (on the cool moist days), and some Golden Stoneflys too! The key has been to “look before you leap”. Observe the fish and the feed to crack the code, with a half a dozens different varieties hatching, the fish will often prefer one over the rest. Weather in Katahdin country seems to be stabilizing and we are settling into the caddis hatches everyone loves. The Ponds have been fishing well this year, and I suspect the Big Bugs (Hex Hatch) may be a bit later this year, based on everything else.
Matt Bickford has been covering alot of miles on foot and by Driftboat this season. From Bass and Pike on the Androscoggin to Trout and Salmon on the Kennebec in Bingham and Solon. Flows on the Kennebec have been tough to rely on, when the rivers are in shape, they have fished well. Matt has been landing some impressive Stripers when he can fisn the time.
We have added a new guide to the Maine River guides Family. We are pumped to have Ben Redmond aboard. Ben will be offering floats on the Androscoggin for Bass Fridays-Sunday. Here is what some customers had to say about a recent outing with Ben:
Ben Redmond – In South America chasing Brown Trout
“An absolutely wonderful trip. I have fished with guides on the San Juan, Madison, Yellowstone and other rivers and lakes and never had a better experience. Ben worked hard to put us on fish, and we caught some great bass. Ben also made sure my wife was comfortable and having fun. His encyclopedic knowledge of the river and the local flora and fauna made the trip worthwhile even if we hadn’t fished.
Best, Charles and Alice Crawford”
For all booking please email us at: maineriverguides@gmail.com
You can also call 207-749-1593 Please leave a detailed voicemail with your email address. We can respond to email daily, phone access is not very good upcountry.
Wishing you all a safe and fun season on the water!
Greg Bostater
Guide/Owner
Autumn is in the air
Crisp nights of Autumn have arrived, signaling the beginning of our favorite part of the season. Sweet summertime is slipping away fast, and what an amazing one it has been for us. We have shared many great days on the water with guests from all over the country and beyond. Back in August we parked the driftboats and departed for 10 days on a remote Alaskan River. It was a trip of a lifetime and one I hope to make again in the future! I look forward to sharing stories, photos, and video to share once things quiet down here.
We are transitioning from Bass Float Trips, back to Maine’s Best Salmon and Trout waters. We currently have a few September dates open, and October is filling fast! If you are looking to get a day or two in floating or wading the West Branch of the Penobscot, or Kennebec River, don’t hesitate. Time to get in on some of Maine’s best fishing and scenery before snow flies!
GB
Some photos of summer fun fly fishing for bass on the Androscoggin River:
Maine Bass and Pike Fishing: Now is the time!!!
Sweet Summertime is here in Maine! As we roll into the dog days and the rivers warm, our focus shifts from Landlocked Salmon and Brook trout to Bass and Pike on the fly on the Androscoggin River. Purists my scoff at the idea, until they hook their first hefty Smallmouth on a topwater fly, or witness a 10 plus pound Pike T-bone a large streamer right at the boat.
While temps on trout waters across the state approach the 70 degree mark, we give the trout and salmon a rest. And shift our focus to fly fishing for Bass and Pike which provides tons of action for our guests in a sustainable manner. The topwater (dryfly) conditions for these species simply couldn’t be any better right now. Drop us a line and get out and enjoy a day of Sweet Summertime on a River in Maine!
Check this short edit of what it is all about!
See You on the water!
GB
Maine Summer Fishing Update
It has been quite a roller coaster ride this season with river levels across the entire state. We have gone from standard summer dryway flows of this:
To this….way too often this season:
In the time between the torrential rain and floods we have found some great fishing and have hosted many happy customers this season on the West Branch of the Penobscot, Kennebec, and Androscoggin Rivers. We have shared the beauty of Spring and summer in Maine, and alot of laughs with many great people.
During the high flows we have taken time to explore remote waters and rediscovered some beautiful uncrowded waters with amazing trout fishing.
Maine Iron Fly Competition 2014: Results
I’d like to thank all the participants and spectators for making Maine’s First ever Iron Fly Competition a success! The judges were impressed by the thought, skill, and creativity that went into all the flies tied on Saturday.
A big thanks goes to Selene’s Fly Shop Brunswick Maine for organizational support, sponsorship, and generous prize donations! If you have not visited her shop, make it happen. Another big thanks to Fly Fishing in Maine, and Dan Tarkinson for securing the venue for us, and allowing us to trash it before the film tour! I hope everyone in attendance enjoyed the experience and will join us for the next Iron Fly…this was just the beginning.
For those of you who may not have seen the results announcement, here it is:
1st Prize winner of the Echo Fly Rod (courtesy of Selene’s Fly Shop) for most creative fly went to Peter Dransfield!
2nd Place winner of the Driftboat Trip on the Andro (from Maine River Guides) for best Execution went to Joel Anderson!
3rd Place winner of of the Selenes Fly Shop gift Card for Fishiest Fly went to Rick Elsaesser!
We did have two runner up prizes for Aaron Lockwood, and Alan Yuodsnukis, who were not present during the announcement.
We also awarded prizes three promising young fly tyers: Luke, Philip, and Hunter!
Before:
After:
Everyone won on Saturday! As we raised $230 donated to FFIM for Fisheries Conservation projects in Maine!
Parting Shot…Shopping for the Iron Fly
Maine’s First Iron Fly Competition!
IRON FLY Competition March 1st, 2014
Selene’s Fly Shop, Maine River Guides, and Fly Fishing in Maine are proud to Sponsor Maine’s first Iron Fly Competition in conjunction with the 2014 Fly Fishing Film Tour!!!
WHAT is an IRON FLY Competition?
Iron Fly is a friendly fly tying competition where fly tyers tie head to head utilizing “secret ingredients” assembled by our crew of competition judges. Tyers will create a fly limited only by their imagination utilizing only ten materials given at the beginning of the event. Participants will have (30 minutes) to create and deliver their creation to the finish line (judge’s booth) in the allotted time given. Tyers are required to register in advance for $15.
WHEN is this Event?
Saturday March 1st at 3pm. Competitors are required to register in advance. Spectators, supporters, and hecklers are welcome for free!
WHERE is this Event?
The competition will take place at the Frontier Theater in conjunction with the Fly Fishing Film Tour. By your tickets for the Film Tour now at: Maine Fly Fishing Film Tour Tickets
Do I win anything?
In addition to bragging rights, tyers will have a shot at three sweet prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Winners! All entrants will receive some sweet fly tying schwag just for showing up! Competition is limited to 12 Tyers! Registration required! Categories to be judged are:
1st Creativity
2nd Execution-Best use of ALL materials
3rd Taste- Fly most likely to be crushed by a fish
To Register
Contact Selene Dumaine at Selene’s Fly Shop
Phone: 207-373-8090
Email: selenetiesflies@gmail.com
22 Stanwood Street Brunswick, Maine 04011
Maine Bass Trips: Summer Smallmouth and Pike in Southern Maine
With high temps on most trout and salmon rivers in Maine we have transitioned over to Smallmouth Bass and Pike Fly Fishing Trips. Recently we have been spending our days floating the Androscoggin River fly fishing for Bass and Pike. The fishing has been solid overall, flows are ideal and steady action is the name of the game. If you are looking for alot of action on the fly, without much travel time from the coast? We can get you on the water catching fish, and have you back to meet family/friends for cocktail hour and dinner on the coast! Book now 207-749-1593
Here is a video highlighting summer fun fly fishing for Bass and Pike on the Androscoggin River in Maine!
West Branch of the Penobscot: Dry Fly Time!
Hendricksons have come and gone and caddis hatches are on! We have guided some great folks over the past few weeks in conditions from snow to 85 degrees! The weather appears to be stablizing and the flows are perfect for floating. A few prime time dates are available between now and mid July, don’t misss out! Email maineriverguides@gmail.com or call now 207-749-1593 and get while the getting is good.
