Giventoflyfish
Member
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2007
- Messages
- 168
I started the trip off in Southern Maine with a guided Stripers trip by a guide that my friend from Maine recommends. This is the first time I fished for Stripers using a fly rod. Having fished salt waters much of my life with reel rods, I know they are strong so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I usually don’t fish with such a heavy fly and larger rod, so I struggled with casting but managed to get the fly out there enough. After the morning was done, I managed to bring in 5 Stripers with the largest one being 29 inches. I was amazed of how clear the water was and you could see the big stripers following the fly in. I managed to get one at the last second by stopping the fly and visually seeing him hit the fly.
Afterwards, we stopped at the Eldredge Bros Fly Shop http://www.eldredgeflyshop.com/. I purchased some golden stones and some t-shirts. I love that shop and always call in my big ticket items from PA such as fly rods. If you are in Southern Maine, I recommend that you stop there.
A friend of mine is a Master Maine Guide and he was kind enough to take me to an undisclosed location. Having missed Maine last year, I was itching to get to the West Branch but my friend’s experience suggested this other place. He couldn’t have picked a better spot and time to fish. Upon reaching our destination, we experienced a real nice Hex hatch. They were literally jumping all over the place, including many feet out of the water. It was just amazing to throw your fly next to a Hex and just wait and place bets on whether the fish takes the real thing or yours (or at times both). We did manage to get a ton of fish (brook trout, SMB and Salmon). We pretty much lost count after the first hour. For me, it was odd getting both Trout and SMB on top of the water at the same time. Attached below are some of the bigger fish that I brought in. The SMB was 20 inches, so it’s nice to break that barrier.
As mentioned, I was itching to get to West Branch. My wife and daughter wanted to see Mount Katahdin, so we decided to take a road trip. While we were in the area, I took them site seeing and I got permission to get my line wet for a bit. There was a minor caddis hatch going, so I tried some of my x-caddis. I managed to get one on, but lost him on the way in. Really need to get my wife into fly fishing so I can spend more time next time (she loves to spin fish). But it felt great to be there. The photos are of Mt Katahdin and the west branch.
I recommend that if you have never been fishing in Maine, that you do so. I think it’s the best fly fishing state in the East Coast (next to PA that is 🙂). You get to experience both Salt Water and Fresh Water fishing. I did not post the Striper guide’s name or my friend’s name because I did not want to violate any advertisement rules, but if you are looking for guides, let me know. I highly recommend using a guide the first time up there.
Afterwards, we stopped at the Eldredge Bros Fly Shop http://www.eldredgeflyshop.com/. I purchased some golden stones and some t-shirts. I love that shop and always call in my big ticket items from PA such as fly rods. If you are in Southern Maine, I recommend that you stop there.
A friend of mine is a Master Maine Guide and he was kind enough to take me to an undisclosed location. Having missed Maine last year, I was itching to get to the West Branch but my friend’s experience suggested this other place. He couldn’t have picked a better spot and time to fish. Upon reaching our destination, we experienced a real nice Hex hatch. They were literally jumping all over the place, including many feet out of the water. It was just amazing to throw your fly next to a Hex and just wait and place bets on whether the fish takes the real thing or yours (or at times both). We did manage to get a ton of fish (brook trout, SMB and Salmon). We pretty much lost count after the first hour. For me, it was odd getting both Trout and SMB on top of the water at the same time. Attached below are some of the bigger fish that I brought in. The SMB was 20 inches, so it’s nice to break that barrier.
As mentioned, I was itching to get to West Branch. My wife and daughter wanted to see Mount Katahdin, so we decided to take a road trip. While we were in the area, I took them site seeing and I got permission to get my line wet for a bit. There was a minor caddis hatch going, so I tried some of my x-caddis. I managed to get one on, but lost him on the way in. Really need to get my wife into fly fishing so I can spend more time next time (she loves to spin fish). But it felt great to be there. The photos are of Mt Katahdin and the west branch.
I recommend that if you have never been fishing in Maine, that you do so. I think it’s the best fly fishing state in the East Coast (next to PA that is 🙂). You get to experience both Salt Water and Fresh Water fishing. I did not post the Striper guide’s name or my friend’s name because I did not want to violate any advertisement rules, but if you are looking for guides, let me know. I highly recommend using a guide the first time up there.
