Hometown: Fort Kent, ME
Gear of Choice: LLBean Silver Ghost 10wt for Muskie, Orvis Helios for Trout, Silver Ghost switch rod for those pesky Landlocked Salmon
Favorite Species: Brook Trout, Salmon, Muskie, Stripers
Preferred Water: Remote Ponds, Various Rivers, Throughfares, Sand Flats and Beaches
Days Spent Fishing Annually: Over 60, under 150 (I Have no life)
*I am currently a student nearing the end of my college career at the University of Maine. I hope to teach European History in High School, and one day at the college level. I have been fly fishing for going on 7 years now, and get out on the water every chance I can. Hopefully becoming a teacher and taking advantage of school vacations will only add to my days on the water.I recently picked up fly tying and enjoy it immensely, probably a little more than I should given my constant need to study. Up’North Maine Fly Castings was created as a means for me to express myself and talk to interesting people about the “sport” I love. My hope is that it generates some good vibes and gets people from Northern Maine excited about the fishing opportunities right outside their doorstep. In a world as hectic as ours, I feel like that is extremely important.
Wednesday, February 25th 2009 at 10:35 pm |
Ben, I feel like you should put pictures from canoeing days on here haha!
Thursday, February 26th 2009 at 12:04 am |
In due time JonJon, it due time. Unfortunately, school has to come first for the next few days. Check back often!
Thursday, February 26th 2009 at 1:36 am |
3 Days Al?. I’m sorry, but I chuckled a little there. Looking forward to your vacations so we can increase that number by 50 or so.
Tuesday, March 17th 2009 at 10:09 pm |
I would have to say that i have been quite pleased with the weather as of late. Looking foward to seeing the ice go and my canoe on the water. Im also glad i find time to thoroughly analyze the site and articles instead of doing my work. Thanks Ben, oh and i think there should be some mention of Brians 13 lb togue he caught on a lake half the size of moosehead! In reality though we know that there are fish over 30 lbs in that lake as Mr. Roland Charrette almost reach that benchmark with a 26 pounder caught in the 90′s. Anyway, sweet site ben, good work.
Tuesday, March 17th 2009 at 11:28 pm |
Appreciate it Bud. If I could get some pictures of Brians togue I would be more than happy to write an article. Let me know when I can find some info on this and i’ll be sure to post it.
glad you like the site,
Check back soon
-Ben
Sunday, April 12th 2009 at 9:36 am |
I grew up in the same area fishing the same waters. Tim Hartt is my uncle and Jamey Lamarre is married to my cousin. I am down in the Shin Pond area now and have finally taken up fly tying to make the flies I use. I am a Forester for Huber just north and east of Baxter Park. I fish alot around here but nothing like fishing the rivers back home. Pretty cool site and I plan on trying some of the flies you list. Good luck with finishing school. I am a UMFK grad too. See you on the water.
Monday, April 13th 2009 at 8:34 am |
Hey Andy, thanks for the comment. My uncle Leo is really good friends with you uncle Tim Hartt and I see him on the fish river from time to time. Jamey Lamarre and especially his father are also at a Legend status around the Soldier Pond area among fly fishermen, but you probably already know that.
I’ve heard good things about he Shin Pond area, but I’ve never been myself. I would have to agree with you that the Rivers up home are much more exciting that anything around this area. I’m always struggling to find good places to fish, and find myself more often than not sitting at my desk scouring maps to find new spots.
Anyways, good luck with the flies you tie from my list, I’d love to see some pictures of the finished products.
Happy Castings,
-Ben
Friday, August 7th 2009 at 12:24 pm |
I am coming to west minot next wednesday from pa. Where could i fish? what do i need to bring
Wednesday, August 19th 2009 at 10:37 am |
Ben,
Congratulations on taking a positive direction with your addiction. Very little current discussion/info is available on the NMW (Northern Maine Woods). I am currently working on the National Cooperative Soil Survey near the Chase Lake and Spider Lake area. Not had the opportunity to explore the tribs and lakes in the area, but looking forward to the approach of cooler temps and prespawn fish. In 1986 we had similar weather/rainfall while I was working in the Jackman/Moose River area. We had epic fishing in early September with large lake fish moving into some of the tribs or hanging at the mouths. After Labor Day that will be my plan. I will keep you posted on my observations. Also, take a look at Jack Gartsides “Soft Hackle Streamer” for use on the aggressive prespawn Landlocks and Brookies. I find you can not go wrong with marabou and rabbit strips for creating “alive” looking flies. I tie it weighted and unweighted in white, black and brown. It is also a killer Smallmouth fly.
Greg Howard, UMO 1980
Saturday, September 19th 2009 at 8:42 pm |
To Alex Mitchell – I was accepted to attend Maine Maritime, but ended up going to SUNY Maritime College, back in the late 70′s when the East River was not too clean (the way it is now, I could have fished for blues and stripers from the breakwater around the old fort!). Though I ended up as a commissioned officer in the Navy, I still value my education, experience, and travel. And, I might add, I regret I didn’t sail in the Merchant Marine, but at the time I graduated, sailing jobs were pretty scarce.
Anyhow – good luck to you. I’m sure you’ll do well…
Tight lines…
Bob (Southern Tier Fly Fisher)
Monday, October 26th 2009 at 6:05 am |
Nice homepage you have.Makes me want to go to Maine
Monday, November 9th 2009 at 9:28 am |
Great blog. Any chance one of you guys might want to teach an old fart like me how to fly-fish. I love brookies and fish for them with passion every spring from my camp near Millinocket, but my only success has been in the ponds where I can use worms. (terrible word I know). I have a fly rod but look a bit like an eskimo trying to rope a bull whenever I use it.
Saturday, November 14th 2009 at 12:48 am |
Mike,
I would love to spend some time on the water with you helping you hone your cast. (Sorry the reply is so late) Keep checking the site and when the Spring comes around feel free to drop me a line. I can always make time to help someone else get the sickness.
-Ben
Friday, February 12th 2010 at 8:50 pm |
Ben,
Thanks for a great wed site. I am new to the sport and love it. I am from southern Maine but I have a best friend that lives in Eagle Lake and I was wondering if you have ever fished around Eagle Lake and was willing to give a few recommendations on where to try ?
Tuesday, February 16th 2010 at 8:56 pm |
Rick,
Thank you for the kind words about my site.
During the Spring of the year in and around the Nadeau thoroughfare always has great action. The Square lake thoroughfare on both sides is also full of fatty landlocked salmon. I’m also a huge fan of the fish river, and tend to stick to the Stretches of the Fish River both above, below, and including Soldier Pond. Fish any of those areas with Gray Ghosts, a Black Nose Dace, or a Joes Smelt and your bound to catch some great fish.
Good Luck!
-Ben