Up'North Maine Fly Castings

Battle Scars

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:04:59 +0000

- It’s taken me a while to grasp that for all intensive purposes, my fly fishing season is over. Blame it on the seasons, blame it on school, blame it on my recent move back to Orono. Regardless of where the blame is placed, my days of throwing flies in northern Maine this season are certainly numbered. A few more trips home this Fall before the season ends are certainly on the agenda, but with the hand mother nature has dealt us this season I would not say I hold high expectations where productivity is concerned.

While recent rains have certainly helped the cause, water levels in most of the area rivers are still well below normal. Combined with unseasonably high temperatures for August, the last two weeks that I’ve been relying on to “go out with a bang” will probably produce fishing something like what I experienced in mid-July; trout-less and depressing. One thing is for certain, water temperatures need to drop significantly before the trout and landlocks start roaming around more freely in and around my favorite fishing holes. I have a few flies that have produced well in the past, and a couple new ones that I am also hoping will make a positive impact. You’ll likely only hear about them if they do!

The XL Tripper survives Season 1.

So as most of us in northern Maine wave goodbye to an altogether semi-productive/dry/otherwise enjoyable fly fishing season, I, like so many others, will forever hold close the stories that numerous days on the water have afforded me. Most I remember vividly, no matter how shockingly beautiful or bitterly painful those moments weigh on my mind. For those memories that have become foggy, I need only flip my canoe over to retrace the stories scraped across it’s hull. Battle scars from a season past, left behind like a manuscript of my summer escapades.

Welcome to my life. It might not be as glamourous or self-glorifying as others before it-but the story I’ve left behind thus far would make one hell of a movie!

See you are the Oscars,

-Ben

This is Fly, So is Catch Mag.

admin — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:17:33 +0000

-Because lately I have been pretty awful at providing the entertainment around here, I’m hoping Catch and This Is Fly will make up for my lack of motivation. College has a funny way of stealing your time, and it has completely robbed me of mine lately. Hopefully this weekend home will help me recharge the batteries! After I’m finally moved in, find a job, and put some duct tape on the large cracks that seem to be forming in my world lately (likely due to a lack of fly fishing), I’ll be sure be once again continue my quest for world domination via Up’North. Until then, immerse yourself in the greatness that is these two eZines.

http://thisisfly.com/

http://catchmagazine.net/

See you in the Twilight Zone,

-Ben

The Neighborhood

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:54:45 +0000

- Howdy

Neighbor Dave recently returned from his annual fly fishing trip with his son in northern Idaho. I’ve never been, but this is the second year he sends me some pretty spectacular pictures. Each time Idaho climbs closer to the top of my “places I wish to fish” list!

Here are a few shots he sent over from his outing. Enjoy!

Mr. David Bowker with a nice northern Idaho Cutthroat.

Dave's son Don with a nice Cutthroat in the gin clear waters of N. Idaho

See you at the airport (I’ll be the one holding the “Take me to Idaho” sign),

-Ben

SID4: Kids Edition

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:28:36 +0000

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/SleepingintheDirt/sid4kidsedition/2010082602/

Top 10: Fall Edition

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:01:00 +0000

-Today is move-in day at the University of Maine, and I thought it might be appropriate given the circumstances to assemble something of a list. Without further ado, I present to you Up’North’s Top 10 hints that College is once again in session, and that Fall is officially around the corner.

10: I haven’t seen a fly rod, or gone fishing in over 10 days
9: My bank account is draining faster than a BP oil well.
8: College Freshmen are wandering around Orono aimlessly wearing giant lanyards and carrying campus maps.
7: The leaves are finally changing and my flannel shirts are (finally) making their way to the front of my closet.
6: My trigger finger is getting itchy and the partridge are shaking in their boots. (Cast and Blast days are drawing closer and closer.)
5: My Black Lab is enjoying more comfortable temperatures and has resumed chasing squirrels around the yard. (Fluorescent orange collar comes out of storage soon)
4: L.L.Bean Hunting, and the Cabela’s Fall Master catalogs have both arrived this week.
3: Bikinis and Mini-Skirts are being traded in for jeans and fleece jackets (grown men are brought to tears)
2: The days of floating, fishing, and relaxing on the lake with an Armada of Old Town and Scott canoes filled with my best friends are all but over.
1: Shipyard Pumpkinhead and Sam Adams Oktoberfest are finally on Tap at nearly every bar and restaurant in town. (The Roughfisher is probably following the scent to Maine as I write this.)

Tight Lines and Full Clips,

-Ben

Deboullie

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:19:02 +0000

View from the Top of Deboullie Tower

Panoramic Shot from the Tower

B&W

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 03:14:17 +0000

- So lately this has turned into a bit of a photography blog. I’m not sorry. The truth is, I really enjoy taking pictures in just about every location and situation I find myself in. Northern Maine is a beautiful place, an outdoor photographers dream of sorts. The landscapes are always visually pleasing, the wildlife is abundant, and the ever-changing weather makes capturing the perfect shot a never ending battle.

I’ve never considered myself a fantastic photographer, but I do enjoy attempting to be one. My final week home has spawned a fly fishing frenzy of sorts. I’ve definitely put some serious miles on the Chevy in recent days, visiting some of the most scenic corners that this state has to offer. The fishing is always spectacular, even when the fish are few and far between. Then again, when one is throwing a line in such a picturesque local, everything and everyone benefits in more ways than one.

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and I would have to agree. A thousand is probably a bit steep, but I would certainly argue that actually showing my readers pictures of northern Maine goes much further than any article I could write ranting and raving about its natural and unique beauty. Today’s photos are in black and white because quiet frankly I feel they hold much more power in that light. The simplicity of these B&W photographs goes a long way towards portraying the overall mood and feeling of the locations in which they were shot. No crowds, no cell phones, none of life’s petty problems. Just peace, quiet, and the occasional brook trout. All watermark free for your unaltered viewing pleasure. Enjoy.

Landing a pesky Brook Trout (Photo by: Alex Mitchell, Edit by Benjamin Rioux)

Johnson 8-"Two Stroke Smoke" (Photograph by Benjamin Rioux)

Brook Trout on a Maple Syrup Wet Fly Variant (Photo by: Alex Mitchell, Edited by Benjamin Rioux))

"Blowin' Smoke" (Photo by: Alex Mitchell, Edited by Benjamin Rioux)

See you in the dark room!

-Ben

Let Us Fish

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:45:14 +0000

- Because fly fishing around Deboullie Mountain in 100ft deep ponds is much more appealing than sitting in front of a computer all day…

Many more landscape and fish pictures soon! Never in my life have a thrown a line in more beautiful waters, surrounded by more stunning ridges, cliffs, and mountains. Sometimes even the fishing takes a back seat when the bigger pictures comes into view. I love northern Maine.

Gardner Pond-Back side of Deboullie Mountain.

See you on a backcountry pond!

-Ben

One of Us

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:16:02 +0000

- Mr. “G-Funk” Eric Gardner made the Up’North fellas proud this weekend, taking home 3rd place (38 5/8 inches) and 13th place (36 3/8 inches) in the 7th annual Fort Kent International Muskie Derby. I was lucky enough to be present when both fish were caught and it was extremely exciting to see Eric’s hard work and dedication pay off. Rounding out the top 3 were Ken Jandreau in 2nd place (39 5/8 inches) and Kevin Bossie taking first place honors. (40 1/2 inches).

Erics Big Ol' 3rd place Muskie-40 inches measured right out of the water.

Eric's 13th Place Muskie.

A huge congratulations goes out to all of the 2010 Derby winners, as well as the town of Fort Kent for banding together to host another extremely successful tournament.

See you on the river!

-Ben

View From the Front

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 01:15:31 +0000

- Another successful weekend is in the books, and the 7th Annual Fort Kent Muskie Derby has finally come to a close. Plenty of fish were seen this weekend, and one of the crew even managed to take home some serious cash with third place honors.

Pictures of all the fish (including the winner) will come tomorrow. This evening as I adjust to the rigors of entering reality once again, I’ll leave you with my view from the front of the canoe. Soak it in, just another reminder of why northern Maine is considered heaven’s closest cousin!

A beautiful Summer day on the Big Black river.

Reflections of Muskie laden waters.

A 5:30am ride on Shields Branch.

Sweet dreams ladies and gents!

-Ben