Written by: Jason Danley
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In early August, I traveled from Utah to Maine for a family gathering with our relatives on the East Coast. Coming from Utah, I was excited to try the trout waters in Maine and enjoy all the beauty that wonderful state has to offer. Although we spent a little time on the coast, eating lobster, as many folks do, we spent most our days in a wonderful cabin on a lake near Bethel, Maine. Anyone familiar with Maine will know that area and the wonderful lakes and rivers just about everywhere you turn. The folks are so very kind there, and the roadside fresh pies stands are to die for; we don’t get whoopie pies like that in Utah!
Although the lakes in August are perfect for swimming, waterskiing, and canoeing, the fish were deep, and not so great for fly fishing. However, we set out to explore the local river and soon found many willing fish to come to our Utah-tied dry flies. The Androscoggin River (known locally as “the Andro”) runs right through Bethel and is, by far, the most popular for fishing and recreation in that immediate area. A wonderful river with some nice riffles, we found it to be full of trout if you were willing to explore a little.
After exploring and finding willing fish in a couple of tributaries to the Andro, we decided to follow one of them down all the way to its confluence with the mighty river. Although this required a small hike, we fished all the way down and enjoyed the wonderful scenery and extreme lack of other humans that Maine offers. Once we joined the Andro, we spotted a nice seam where the two waters were running together—and most certainly, fish were coming to find nutrients from the fresher, cooler water flowing in.
Immediately, I saw a rise and knew that this was going to be fun. My brother-in-law, Nathan, and I hooked up with fish after fish for the next two hours. All were very willing to take our dry flies, and we were excited to catch not only nice, native brookies, but also some nice rainbows and many spectacular brown trout. The browns had really bright red spots on them, much brighter than many we see here in Utah. After a couple hours and many fish later, it was time to head back to the Cabin for more family fun. We returned to the spot a few days later and had similar success.
Although we enjoy some of the best fishing in the country here at Falcon’s Ledge in Utah, Maine was a wonderful change of pace and we found miles of unpressured water, unsurpassed beauty, and very willing fish. We hope to back again soon.
Jason Danley is the Operations Manager for Falcon’s Ledge in Altamont, Utah.