County List
It’s been a solid six months since the last time I’ve assembled any sort of list on Up’North. Over the course of two years you’ve seen fly rod lists, shotgun lists, various holiday lists, streamer lists, and even the occasional beer list. Seeing as how my recent ventures only put me in the County on a limited basis, I thought it only fitting that I piece together a list of ten random luxuries I miss from the northern reaches of our great State.
The Original Up'North Banner
- Fireside Chats- Random shenanigans and various follies around a real northern campfire. No silly rings, pits, or city ordinances. Using hardwood and cedar you cut during the day from the back of the house. Adirondack chairs, fresh cut steak, homemade wine, and beer that isn’t “brewed” in Germany or Ireland.
- 15-Minute Fishing Trips - Random, unplanned, unprepared fishing trips for no rhyme or reason. Chasing trout and making the most of remaining daylight as the sun fades behind backwoods ridges. Forgetting fly boxes, making the best of knotted and worn leaders, and still feeling completely satisfied when the fish don’t cooperate.
- Porch Sitting- No interstate traffic. Scratch that, no traffic on any kind. Watching the grass grow around my black lab while she sleeps. Tying flies on the picnic table. Old school country, old and new friends. Sleeping where you sit.
- Cruising the River- Stand up carving in an Old Town Canoe. Johnson 8 runs perfect, Johnson 8 wont start. Bringing more fly rods than any three people could ever need. Forgetting food, coolers, but never beer or whiskey.
- Family- Gramp’s stories, Gram’s cooking, hockey with dad, coffee with mom, piecing together the night’s events with my younger brother.
- Ghosts- Not Caspers; Grey Ghosts, Green Ghosts, White and Marabou Ghosts. Size 2-6. Salmon candy. Spring runs, chilly evenings, flannel shirts and tandem streamers. Knowing that your fly is money in all conditions.
- Dirt Roads- Dodging logging trucks, Marine and Murs antennas on the roof of the pickup. 10 ply tires, Katahdin truck racks, rusty ratchet straps, Cooler parties on the tailgate. Endless miles to nowhere.
- Hunting Beard- Sporting the classic Fall scruff. Itchy face for the first few weeks. Not shaving because “it helps keep you warm” on the trail. “Picky” on the ladies’ cheek. The first clean shave after you hang the gun up for the season.
- Fall- The season that sets the standard for all others. Late nights and early mornings at hunting camp. Not too warm, not too cold. Crackling leaves, Autumn colors, camo and fluorescent orange. Trout and Salmon moving back into the rivers. Cast and blast. Seeing your breath on a crisp October morning, lighting the first fire in the wood stove that same night.
- Less is More- Best friends, fishing, hunting, food, family, and everything else is well within reach. It takes 2 minutes instead of 20 to drive 4 miles. No malls, no crowds, no need to lock your truck or house. Everything you need, less of what you don’t. Money in the bank.
The list goes on, and on, and on, but then it wouldn’t be a top ten….with more than ten.
See ya!
Nom Nom
Brother Zach recently hooked up with a few frying pan worthy hogs during the early season salmon run. Spring river trips in northern Maine can be about as miserable as miserable gets, but fighting the good fight often has outstanding rewards. Battling through blistering winds, sleet, and snow, brother Zach found plenty to smile about during an early April river trip. Grin brother Zach, grin.
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Release
Release the stress
Release the tension
Release the headaches we won’t mention
Regroup your thoughts
Relive the bliss
Recover time
Release the fish.
Worth the Wait
I’ve been a busy man as of late, not that I’m making excuses for my absence. Recent weeks have been something of a Maine tour, moving from Orono to Fort Kent, then eventually down to Portland where I will remain until god knows when. Still, the northern rivers have allowed me a few solid days on the water, and I couldn’t be more happy with my fishing season thus far.
Last Friday evening I caught two decent fish, including a beautiful brook trout and a feisty landlocked salmon. I also managed to convince good ol’ Jon to leave his gear rod home and swing some streamers, and the river gods afforded him a great brookie for his efforts. A few good fish were also lost at the boat, and several were seen (yes, seen) cruising the more calm corners of the river. Getting out on the river with Jon is always a blast, and for some reason we always muster up what it takes to catch some decent fish.
Saturday afternoon I was able to reunite with Lucas for another river trip chasing trout and salmon. While Lucas and I also have our fair share of success on the river, putting us in a boat together has proven outright dangerous. After a brief wrestling match in a tree just above some rapids, and a heroic rod-saving reach at full speed by yours truly, I managed to ice my motor troubles early enough that our trip wasn’t a total loss. The river dropped noticeably from the night before, and the usual streamers failed to produce the usual results for the most part. Lucas hooked up to a hefty salmon early-on who rocked his world, and nearly broke himself off on the prop before we got it safely aboard. He opted to keep his first fish of the season, and having seen him throw back dozens of trout and salmon over the years, I say this was a meal well deserved. His fish would be the only one of the outing, but it was a great one.
This weekend I get to enjoy some family time before making my final retreat to Portland and a new job. I’ll be sure to squeeze at least a few hours on the river for one last Spring fling before the Summer sets in. Rumor has it that the Stripers are starting to move on the coast, and I can’t wait to go play in the salt with some long lost friends.
See you on the river, see you on the road!
-Ben
While you were out…!
- Howdy,
Lots of exciting things happening recently in the fly fishing circuit, yet somehow I still feel like I’m on the outside looking in. While I prepare to re-enter the scene this weekend, swinging streamers on my home stretches, feast on this random assortment of thoughts, stories, and otherwise useful/enjoyable/better than work links.
First up, big shout-out to Up’North’s newest friend and colleague Rhon Bell of Caribou, Maine. Rhon runs the extremely enjoyable and appropriately titled blog Backwoods Plaid, and reading through his adventures recently consumed a good portion of my afternoon. A self-proclaimed L.L.Bean addict, he also dabbles in cooking, hiking, consuming various choice adult beverages, and casting a fly to unsuspecting brook trout. In short-Backwoods Plaid is a nice addition to your daily reads if you enjoy Up’North even a little (and you better). Head on over to www.backwoodsplaid.blogspot.com to get yourself caught up at once!
Click to Visit!
Moving on, I’ve been receiving a healthy amount of emails lately asking me what I recommend for streamers during early Spring salmon outings. Without being overly complicated, I have a few rules of thumb that might bode well on your next adventure. First, if the streamer has the word Ghost in it’s name, chances are it will catch fish in the fast Spring waters of Maine. Green, Grey, Black, Marabou, etc. etc., they all work. For whatever reason, my go-to streamers usually have a small red or yellow tail, and EVERY one of them utilizes jungle cock eyes. My streamer box doesn’t bulge with a large variety of meat, just Ghosts in various large sizes, a few Magogs in various colors, and the occasional Allagash Al.
Finally, sinking or sink-tip lines are NOT always necessary. In my neck of the woods I’ve hooked up to salmon in early May swinging a floating line and between 12-16 feet of leader. The cold water typically has these fish on the move at nearly every depth, so don’t be afraid to fish those large streamers right below the surface. Few things are more exciting than watching a 20+ inch landlocked salmon absolutely freight-train a streamer on the upper-deck.
Last, but certainly not least, head on over to the Fontinalis Rising blog to check out the lastest post: Floating Away. Jason Tucker has a way with words that can be captivating, and his love for fly fishing and everything that relates makes for a stellar blog to waste some time when you should be working. Check it out at www.fontinalisrising.blogspot.com, and try to hide your anger when you peep his “Jealousy Counter.” Jealous indeed Mr. Tucker, Jealous indeed.
Click to Visit!
Tight lines and best of luck in your early Spring adventures. Remember to always wear a lifejacket and use caution when fishing the frigid early season waters of Maine or anywhere else. A few simple precautions can make all the difference, and not taking them could have dire consequences!
Happy Castings,
-Ben
Coming Soon
- A new beginning is right around the corner, the 2011 fly fishing season is knocking on northern Maine’s door. Are you ready? The countdown starts soon, so check back often! 2011′s List-O-Goals is coming your way in a matter of days!
See you on the river (o so soon)
-Ben
This Is Fly: Vol 3-Issue 1
- Typically I post the magazine cover when This Is Fly drops and simply let you do the rest. Form your own opinions, smile your own smiles, grin your own grins. Well, this isn’t your typical issue. To say that this particular installment stopped my heart would be a bit much, but I am truly lost at how to describe the feelings it conjured up inside me.
Click To Read!
If any magazine has ever made you want to get back out on the water, this is it. From cover to cover, Volume 3-Issue 1 is solid gold. But if you take the time to travel into the depths of this gold mine, two real gems stand out among the rest.
Matt Harris has a way with words when describing his adventures that literally had me considering a move to Russia. His story “Where The Wild Things Are” is a magical account of his trip to the Yokanga River, in search of Atlantic Salmon few will ever feast eyes upon during a lifetime on the water. A truly impressive piece of writing, enhanced only by dream invoking photography.
And just when you convince yourself to sit back down and continue reading, Brad Bohen of Muskie Country Outfitters steps up to the plate and hits another one out of the park. My “muskie on the fly” outings have been largely unsuccessful and filled with frustration, but Brad’s article has my muskie fever burning red-hot once again. His feature film “Zero to Hero” drops in February 2011, and I simply can’t wait. Check out the trailer below.
At the end of the day, fly fishing is as much a part of me as my college degree, or my northern Maine roots. Sometimes the long winters can make me forget why I find casting a fly so exciting. I am thankful that there are anglers out there who dedicate their lives to reminding me.
Tight Lines,
-Ben
A Dam Dilemma.
- Well howdy do winter, it seems you have settled in for the long haul! Still, while frigid winds and heavy snow have made their presence known in Maine, there is big news on the Atlantic Salmon front. The Penobscot River Restoration Project made huge strides forward recently with the purchase of three key dams across along the Penobscot river, taking vital steps toward opening up over 1,000 miles of waters that have been out of reach to native species for a “coon’s age.” In Mainer speak, thats a “wicked long time bub!”
Click to Read the Full Article!
At a whopping $24 million, the Veazie, Great Works, and Howland dams were recently purchased from PPL Corp after nearly 11 years of planning and preparation. Two of the dams will be destroyed, while the third will see the installation of a state-of-the-art fish ladder. Collectively, the project will allow native species like atlantic salmon, striped bass, and american shad to migrate further up the river toward their native spawning runs.
While this is all well and good, it does raise some important questions that beg answers. What of the native brook trout and landlocked salmon that already inhabit these pristine waters? The destruction of these dams will also introduce a new devastating predator, the northern Pike. It is no secret that native brook trout are more rare now than ever before, so is sacrificing one rarity to potentially save another really worth it? I’m torn. Sadly, there is no right way to answer this question. It simply comes down to what we want more. Surely Atlantic Salmon is the heavy favorite in this fight for territory, but simply forgetting about brook trout could have us shaking our heads years down the road.
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I’m interested in what the readers have to say, so sound off! While I am in no way discounting the Penobscot River Restoration Project and it’s many benefits, I wonder if anyone in Maine truly realizes just how lucky we are to have such a healthy population of brook trout, at least compared to other states across the country. Look for update on this story as it continues to unfold.
Tight Lines,
-Ben
Guessing Game
- Another pretty night fly fishin’ in northern Maine, life is good.
The fish simply did not seem as active tonight, but it still ended up being a fairly successful one. I managed 3 brook trout, all around 10 inches or less, all of whom thought they were much larger. Most fish were caught between 7:30pm and 8:15pm, and all but 1 were on small wet flies dead drifted and then stripped slowly in the current. Most takes were immediately after the fly changed direction.
I’m constantly hearing people say that if the smaller fish like your flies that large fish will as well, but I’m not entirely sure thats true. The largest fish I’ve seen this season have been caught on larger streamers, namely hornburgs, muddlers, and other ghost variations; all fished close to the surface and stripped ever so slowly. Tonight was no different.
Tylor Theriault with a nice Landlocked Salmon
This fly was special, so I’ll let Tylor keep his secret this time. This hog of a salmon was never measured, but my estimates put it at around 20 inches and near 3 lbs. When I finally got him to the net the first thing I noticed was how fat he was. That seems to be a theme this year. Even the smaller fish taking flies are shaped like footballs! After safety removing the hook and snapping a quick photo, Tylor quickly and gently released his beautiful fish to fight another day! What a catch!
Tomorrow morning I wake up early to see if those football landlocks feel like doing breakfast!
Tight Lines,
-Ben
Jump Start
Reeevvveeerrseeee the Cuuurrrrssseeeee
And no, I am NOT talking about the Boston Redsox.
It seems as though my luck has finally turned. Last night I shook the demons off my back and ended my early season slump in a big way. Armed with every ounce of effort I had left, Jon and I took a cruise up the river to see if we could both find our first fish of 2010. What we found were two native Brook Trout, one beauty of a Salmon, and a number of sizable hits. It was an epic night, and one that I desperately needed. Even more exciting is the fact that these are the first brook trout I have seen in this stretch of the river in about 3 years. Did I mention these were Muskie laden waters?
Fat Brooky, and my first fish of the season!
The release of Brooky #2
Jon's beauty of a Salmon
A rainy Saturday most likely means we’ll work on getting the canoes river ready. Hopefully if the sky decides not to tear open we might even get some time on the water. Sunday looks promising for a big fishing day, so hopefully I add my first Salmon to the mix! Time will tell.
See you on the river!
-Ben
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A Box Full of Nothing.
- I’m short on words right now. Sorry.
I spent 95% of my time on the water tonight fighting with streamers, cursing that I lost my only spool of 10lb test leader, and trying to warm my hands up so I could tie knots. It’s official, I’m in an early season slump. With nothing but a foreign brook trout so far this vacation, my need for a feisty landlocked salmon has grown more intense than I previously thought possible. I’m sick with questions and stumbling to find answers, but I can only think of one solution: More fishing.
Ready for Spring, full of sure bets. Not producing. Huh?
So I add to the box. The Warden's Worry-with an Up'North twist. Pattern coming soon to the Fly page!
My box is loaded with sure bets that I’m not so sure about anymore, but I’ve never been one to give up without a fight. It’s a long haul until October 1st, and I’ll come out on top. I ALWAYS come out on top. Treat the river gods right and they’ll reward you graciously. I just wish those rewards would come this week-I need that big pull on the end of my line.
Happy Castings,
-Ben
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"Schooled"
- I may be the teacher in the classroom, but lately I’m the one getting schooled on the fishing front.
One of my students showed me a picture of some trout he caught this past weekend and I just knew I had to post them. While everyone else (including myself) has used the excuse “the water is too high” lately, it’s nice to see somebody man up and just get to fishing. A+ work for sure bud, the crew salutes you. Show the fella some Up’North love!
A 2fer! One of my students with some nice Maine Brookies in the early Spring.
“Hi my name is Sam Valley and I’m from Holden, Maine and I love to fish. I enjoy all types of fishing; fly fishing small streams and ponds, ice fishing, and trolling lakes. The two pictures I have are from several trips I have made this year. The picture with the salmon (below) was taken this February. I caught that fish on a very pretty night, as the picture shows (below), during the last hour of sunlight. This fish actually got me second place at the fishing derby I was entered in; if I told you which one that would give away my secret spot . (Good Man!)
The picture with me and the trout (above) was actually taken this past weekend at small pond I fished. The water was quite high but that didn’t stop us from being very successful. (Big risks = Big Rewards).
Thank you Mr. Rioux (For those of you slubs The Roughfisher and company that don’t actually believe I’m a teacher),
Sam
I kicked Mr. Valley a few streamers and a couple secret weapons from the Up’North library for his troubles, and you better believe I’ll be expecting some pictures when he puts them to use throughout the season. I’d like to thank him once again for the pictures and story, which were by far the highlight of my day! It’s always nice when the classroom environment includes a little fishing chatter!
Tight Lines,
-Ben
Fly Tying Corner: The Alexandra
- Howdy,
Last night I sat down at the vice and entered the timeless realm of Ray Bergman trout flies. My attempted pattern? The Alexandra. When I first saw this fly in the Autumn 2009 issue of Fly Tyer, I was immediately attracted to the abundance of peacock sword and the bright red throat. The original is tied on a small wet fly hook, but I thought using a size 6 streamer hook might prove successful during the Spring salmon run in northern Maine. Time will tell!
Alexandra
The Alexandra Twins
Represent
Check back soon for a full recipe and tying instructions on the Fly Recipes page.
Happy Tyin’!
-Ben
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Spring Fly Fishing….During the Dog Days of Summer
- It’s no secret to the people of northern Maine, or everyone in New England for that matter, that this summer can be defined with one simple word; Rain.
While the past few weeks have brought some vast improvements, last week saw the return of the wet weather in Aroostook county, accompanied this time by some fierce thunderstorms.
Rain Totals for July: Fort Kent, ME
Early reports from a few sources cited great fishing during the end of July, as the waters in local rivers finally started on a downward trend. With such strange weather patterns this summer, water temps are well below average. Because of this, a wealth of large Landlocks can still be found throughout many northern Rivers, providing fly anglers with a unique opportunity to catch quality fish over twenty inches during the dog days of summer.
Landlocked Salmon
The word on the street is that bright colored streamers around size 6 are drawing the most strikes. Patterns such as the Wood Special or Mickey finn are usually automatic in these situations, but tying anything with bright colored bucktail will usually bring some success. Typically in these situations I fish a 6 lb test leader with 4lb test tippet on a floating line, but experiment with different lengths depending on location and weather conditions. Obviously, in windy conditions it can be difficult to turn streamers over with a long leader, so in that situation it might be beneficial to shorten up. On really sunny days where shadows can spook fish, a long, light leader and tippet are a wise choice. Remember, the fish are deep, but with the water temps jumping so erratically like they have the past month, the salmon are most certainly on the move. Hot, sunny days will usually find the larger fish at the bottom of deeper pools, while the cooler overcast days can be associated with more movement of larger fish in more shallow water. As always, keep an eye out for any sort of life on the surface. Green Drakes and Blue Winged Olives have given me the most luck in the past. And remember, always take serious note of the weather before selecting your next fishing destination!
My limited time on the water this weekend…
Friday afternoon I swung a Grey Ghost over one of my favorite holes and watched as a Salmon the size of my arm casually swam up to it, checked it out, and then calmly drift back down into the depths. I worked that same spot for at least half an hour to no avail, throwing everything I had at it, including various dries and nymphs. With the water so high and dirty after heavy rains only a few days earlier, I cant say I didn’t expect the slow fishing. With the fish so well fed after a heavy rain, these next few days of dry weather could make all the different we need to really get things going. I can only hope my week home before school will have some favorable weather, and some nice opportunities to catch some of these large fish.
That’s all she wrote for now,
See you on the water,
-Ben
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Atlantic Salmon Update
- Since the announcement was made early last week, surprisingly little has come up in the news regarding the recent addition of Maine’s Atlantic Salmon to the Endangered Species List. I’ve yet to decided if this is a good or bad thing, but I do know that it’s not something that will quietly fade into the night.
Recently a single article did appear in the Bangor Daily News regarding the Industrial surroundings of the three involved Rivers. While it is unclear as to exactly how Maine’s industrial past and present will affect the recovery of Salmon, there are some interesting opinions on the subject.
Click the active photo above to read the entire B.D.N article, or click HERE.
Happy Castings,
-Ben
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Protecting Atlantic Salmon?
The Federal Government recently announced plans to add Atlantic salmon populations in the Penobscot, Kennebec, and Androscoggin rivers to the endangered species list, and Maine officials and citizens alike are making it clear that they are extremely unhappy with this decision.
Hatcheries like this one help stabilize Maine's Atlantic Salmon populations, but are they helping or harming efforts?
The Penobscot River is the only fishery in the United States with a sizable Atlantic Salmon run, and I use the term sizable very loosely. While Maine has an excellent track record in conservation and preservation of threatened species, this latest move by the Feds has all but ignored the efforts of the State government and local Salmon clubs. Shortened catch and release seasons play a vital role in educating the public and maintaining interest in the struggling Salmon populations. With these seasons no longer possible, it is feared that the Salmon clubs that play such a vital role in protecting the fish will soon perish much like the wild Salmon populations have. One can only hope that the clubs will continue to function even in the absence any sport fishing season.
To read more about the Atlantic Salmon controversy in Maine, check out recent articles in the Bangor Daily News and the Portland Press Herald.
I’ll do my best to keep the updates rolling in as they become available, and will continue to track this controversial issue as much as humanly possible. The Atlantic Salmon run is something that Mainers should be concerned about whether they fish or not. Maine’s early history is deeply rooted around the Penobscot River and the tribes that inhabited the area long ago that depended on Atlantic Salmon as part of their daily lives.
Click HERE to read Wednesday’s Bangor Daily article about the survival of Maine’s Salmon clubs to get a better idea of just how important these clubs are to preserving the species. It’s clear even in the articles comments section that Mainers are extremely passionate about their views on either side of the issue. Feel free to join the conversation!
Tight Lines (Just not for Atlantic Salmon)
-Ben
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Kennebago News
Hello brother flyfishermen its Kennebago Joe returning from “up country”
The week is up and I am back from the Kennebago. I spent the first night in my camper at 4 corners and awoke to snow everywhere and cold. That bothered me a little but the fish seemed to like it. Breakfast was fried potatoes and 2 12″ brookies, not bad for a start. I headed over to Tea Pond camps where I stayed the week. Fish were everywhere and nice ones too. I saw 19 and 20″ salmon, anything from 6″ to 20″ brookies and this was just on the river. I didn’t even bother to get into the lake, we were having too much fun on the river. Of course we caught at least a thousand 2″ and 4″ Atlantic Salmon parr, but they are still fun and each one thinks he is Moby dick. Tea pond gave up some nice action usually right before breakfast and right after supper.
It seems that caddis flies no matter what color would take a fish and of all things a size 16 Adams was a real big hit. Black Ghost marabou was the salmon special for the week. The usual tri’s and mayflies were everywhere and several standard emerger patterns took serious hits, but the real surprise was a little wet fly that I am sure does not even have a name. It is just olive green antron with a couple of twists of peacock at the head and a sprig of antron for a wing. It didn’t matter if it was dry, wet or even in between. it took fish and these were definitely “net” fish that would land you in serious trouble if you had a 2lb tippet.
All in all it was a great trip. Good relaxing time, good fishing, met some new folks on the river. I did see a novice fisherman take a 20″ brookie on a red trude. I dont know who was more surprized him or the fish. I am going back later in the month for at least a weekend and the passenger seat is always available. I would love to show any of you “MY” kennebago. The road in from the Rangeley side is still your best bet, the eustis side is swamped with cianbro and all sorts of construction stuff cause of the wind mill project up on Kibby mt.
Well gang that is the short story of my week. It was fun, lots of fish and great times were had by all. More in a few days but for now I need to get unpacked and tie up some little green “monsters” as we called them. I have more great more stories about King and Bartlett and Spencer stream. Long lost to the public but new roads pop up every day. The ole’ Dodge can go almost anywhere.
Keep a bend in the rod and tight lines until next time,
-Joe
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Update Update Update!
- A few updates worth mentioning tonight!
First and foremost, a biography for Up’North’s latest contributor has been added to “The Gang” page. Go check it out and get to know a little about our voice of the Rangeley/Kennabago region!
Equally worth mentioning!
After over a month of nothingness (poetic license to excuse my time spent fishing instead of tying) the “Fly Recipes” page has finally been updated with two brand new Streamer patterns. These two patterns are a little different than what I have tied previously, but still represent an important part of the learning process at the vice. I’m almost embarrassed to post them over the amazing work I recently showcased by the Roughfisher, but I’d like to think that they have their own special qualities. Get busy at the vice and let me know how they work for you!
Marsh Minnow
Pripyat Smelt
For a complete list of materials needed for these fresh new patterns, head on over to the Fly Recipes page!
Happy Castings,
-Ben
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A Preview…
The week that was…
4 fish, Rain, Shine, and more good times than I had ever hoped for. I make the long journey to southern Maine today, but not before closing out the week with one more great day on the water.
Stay tuned for a full report on my week, and be sure to follow the Twitter Feed for all the latest Up’North updates!
Tight lines,
Ben
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Spring Streamer Tactics
- Spring fly fishing can be tricky, especially in the swollen rivers of Northern Maine. Landlocked Salmon are hands down some of the most selective feeders in our watershed, and to bring one to the boat usually requires a great deal of time and dedication, and a ton of luck. Any seasoned fly fisherman knows that the most affective streamer patterns during April and May are usually Grey Ghosts or variations of the sort. While fishing a sinking line with a size 6 or larger Ghost is a great start, I have found that making a few minor adjustments to the traditional setup can produce some pretty favorable results.
Barred Grey Ghost
First and foremost, this technique requires something that most old timers would probably scold me for, but lose the sinking line. In rivers like the Fish River, although the water is high, depths are never consistent. A hard sinking line may be great for some deep sections of the river, but the numerous shallows will cause more hookups and headaches than most fishermen want.
Instead, opt for a standard floating fly line. Call me crazy, but I’ve caught more fish trolling streamers on floating line than I even have dragging sinking or sink tip rig. That’s not to say that sinking line is bad, but as far as this method is concerned it is ultimately ineffective. At the end of the fly line, attach a 9 foot tapered leader. Length is key to this setup, so save your 6 foot leaders for another day. To the end of this leader, attach 3 feet of tippet material. To the end of this tippet section, attach your streamer of choice. Typically my first streamer is the smaller one, but never smaller than a size 6. You can double up with Grey Ghosts, but offering the fish 2 different patterns is never a bad idea. I’ve used Wood Specials, Green and Black Ghosts, and a Black Nose Dace all with favorable results.
Now comes the important part. To the HOOK of this streamer, tie on another section of tippet between 3 and 4 feet long. At the end of this section attach a weighted streamer that is at least one size larger than the first streamer you tied on. I use a Grey Ghost in size 4 almost exclusively because It does the best job imitating various species of bait fish found in our local waters.
The Final Rigging should look something like this:
( 9 Foot Leader-3 Foot tippet-Size 6 Streamer-3 foot tippet-Size 4 Streamer: Total Length of 15 feet )
The extra length will allow the streamers to sit about 2 feet below the surface, which is right where you want them to be during this time of the season. The best part about this setup is that if you feel like casting, you can simply snip the tippet at the hook of the first streamer and save it for another day.
Good luck, and don’t say I’m never helpful!
Tight lines,
-Ben
NOTICE!: PICTURES COMING SOON!
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Fish On!
-I’ll be the first to tell anyone that catching fish isn’t why I love fly fishing. I couldn’t ask for more than simply being on the water in good company casting a line. Fortunately for me, I get to go fly fishing in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The rivers of Northern Maine are truly spectacular, and no matter where in the world fly fishing takes me, I can say with confidence that I’ll always migrate back to my home waters.
With that said, it’s always nice to catch fish, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t praying to feel a tug on the end of my line. My first morning home started not on the river, but on my hands and knees ripping up rug and old linoleum flooring with my parents. The sun what shining, a slight breeze was blowing, and I wanted more than anything to get out on the river. After a morning full of staples and rusty nails, me and dad finally pushed off from the shore a little after 2pm. The fishing started slow, but me and my father both agreed that a slow day of fishing was always better than a good day at work.
Dad navigating the flowing currents of the River.
The afternoon weather was not nearly as sunny, as cloudy skies gave way to intermittent rain. Traditionally we’ve had good luck in conditions like these, so sporting our best rain gear, we slowly trolled our streamers up the Fish River and admired our surroundings. Grey Ghosts, Mickey Fins, Joe Smelts, and a few secret weapons all found their place on the end of our leaders at one point or another. Fishing a floating line, I worked a leader and tippet combination about 14 feet long with two streamers about 3 feet apart. Dad was a little more traditional, fishing a sinking tip line with a leader/tippet combo of about ten feet and a single large streamer. We fished for about two hours, and besides a decent strike on dad’s Grey Ghost, the fishing was great but the catching just wasn’t meant to be….yet.
A quick pass from an old timer brought news of one small Salmon during his two hours of fishing. Bound and determined, we pushed onwards in search of our piece of the pie. Another hour passed and all hope seemed lost. Eventually the silence was broken with the question from dad that I knew was coming, but wasn’t ready to hear.
“Time to pack it up and head for home?”
“I guess” I replied hesitantly, stripping my line and swinging my Grey Ghost into the current.
If this was to truly be the end of my fishing for the day, I was going to make one last push for a fish. I watched the backing knot clear the tip of my Double L, and let my line sway in the current for a few moments before I started my final retrieval of the outing. The fly line had just reached the reel when my streamer got slammed. The 10 foot rod bowed and bounced under the weight of the fish, and I knew instantly that this was what I had been waiting for. I set the hook set accordingly and adjusted my drag enough to let the pig run off some steam. After a couple of minutes my reel stopped turning and I made a furious dash to get some line in. I was able to get the fish to the boat without an issue, but as soon as he saw us he caught his second wind. Tripping over other fishing rods, a net, and our gear box, we fought frantically to keep the fish from breaking my line off against the boat. I loosened the drag enough to let him back out into the current and then took a more direct approach at getting the fish to net. Not wanted to stress it out any more than I probably already had, I gave dad the word and he traded his camera for a net. I pointed my rod to the sky and in a matter of moments my first fish of the 2009 season was in my hands, a fat Landlocked Salmon of over 20 inches. Grinning from ear to ear, dad took as many pictures as he could before I popped the streamer out of his jaw and set him back in the water.
Big Smiles for my first Landlock Salmon of the season. Why I love Fly Fishing
Beauty of a Landlocked Salmon
No official measurements were taken, but I could honestly care less. Catching (and releasing, sorry Grandpa) that fish could not have possible made me more happy. The proof is in the pictures, and very few things in this world make me smile as much as I did today. Sharing the exciting experience with my father was the icing on the cake, and the day was more of a success than either of us had ever anticipated it would be. The next outing we’ll be looking to hook him into his first Salmon of 2009, and I eagerly await my next journey up the river. This is what Fly Fishing is all about, and I’ll forever be in debt to that fish for reminding me why I’ve dedicated so much of my life to this wonderful pastime.
Happy Castings,
-Ben
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As Good as it Gets!
-Ahoy!
Just got off the Fish River with my father for the first time all season! The day was overall exactly what we expected. We only got on the river after 2pm, but the early bird doesn’t necessarily always get the worm! I’m going out to eat with the family, but when I return expect a lengthy story and some great pictures courtesy of my father. Stay tuned, you don’t wanna miss this.
Here are some before and after pictures to tease you until I return.
Before: The Fight wages on...
After: Giving back to the river. Wait until you see the pictures in between...
Tight Lines,
-Ben
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Why Maine?
The Spring 2009 edition of Maine Fish and Wildlife magazine is now available for your viewing pleasure. Inside these pages Mainers will find the latest info regarding deer populations, the Moose Lottery, and conservation efforts of many Maine Fisheries. After reading through the entire issue, I give it the Up’North Stamp of Approval. What I enjoyed the most was a video included called “Maine, A World Class Fishery.” In the video are registered Maine guides and other influential faces from the fishing scene including Matt Libby of Libby Camps, Mac McKeever of L.L.Bean, and fly fishing’s godfather Lefty Kreh. The video cues in on exactly what makes the Maine fishing experience so special, and also profiles what Maine Wardens and Biologists are doing to help conserve our precious Wild Brook Trout populations and other fisheries throughout the state. The Magazine is available online, view it HERE.
Check the Video out HERE!
I’d love to hear your thoughts below!
Happy Castings,
-Ben
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Maine Salmon Season Canceled!
- The month long catch and release season for Atlantic Salmon on the Penobscot River has officially been called off. Originally slated to start on Friday, this season would have only been the second in the last decade. While the Penobscot still remains the only river in the United States with a sizable Salmon run, numbers are still incredibly bad, with over 90% of the spawning fish coming from federal fish hatcheries. Read the full article from The Bangor Daily News.
Penobscot River, Milford Dam
Maybe I’m alone here, but the fact that over 90% of the migrating Atlantic Salmon come from hatcheries troubles me much more than the cancellation of any season. Hatchery fish compete with the native Salmon, and if practices aren’t changed quickly eventually these native fish will disappear. While most won’t see that as an extinction, that’s exactly what it is. The Penobscot river Salmon fishery should be managed through conservation efforts involving the removal of dams and the regulation of fishing (yeah I said it), not bombarded and covered up with hatchery fish. To learn more about the current condition of the river’s fisheries, and what you can do to help restore the Penobscot River, please visit the Penobscot River Restoration Trust website.
Happy Castings (Just not for Atlantic Salmon)
-Ben
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