Grey Ghost - A Carrie Stevens Classic Maine fly
Can you Fly Fish for Landlocked Salmon and Brook Trout in the Kennebec River? YES!
Between Moosehead Lake and Indian Pond the East Outlet of the Kennebec River carves through the upper kennebec valley, one of the best stretches of fly fishing river in the entire State of Maine. Moosehead is a deep lake has an average depth of 55 feet and a maximum depth of 246 feet. This deep cold water is a great environment for growing really big fish. Fly fishing the East Outlet of the Kennebec for monster brook trout and landlocked salmon is an amazing trip for fly anglers looking to hook into hard fighting fish.
Warning To Boaters Planning to Run the East Outlet of the Kennebec River
The East Outlet has easy access for wade fishing, especially at lower levels, and by boat. Small primitive boat ramps exist just above the trestle on the "Wilson's" road, the beach pool and on Indian Pond. Warnings #1 The East Outlet has some stretches of potentially deadly whitewater. If you are not a competent white water rower, do not attempt to run this stretch of river. Warning #2 The beach pool boat launch will require some class V driving, and if you don't know what that means, I refer you back to warning #1. Warning #3 if you make it to Indian pond in one piece, it's a really long row to the boat launch. If you want to fish the East Outlet from a drift boat, I recommend hiring a Maine Guide. An experienced Maine guide should be able to show you the best water on the river, while safely navigating the larger rapids.
Parking and River Access
The East Outlet is easily accessible from the east outlet dam all the way to the beach pool. There is roadside parking and, outhouses most of the season, on either side of the bridge, and if you turn left down the dirt road on the north side of the bridge, there is parking with stairs to access the river. This first half mile consists of the dam pool, trestle pool and the bridge pool. All productive wade fishing for all anglers armed with a fly rods.
Water Flow and When to Go
Flows From 1000 cfs to 1500 cfs - Good Fishing for Waders
River flows are just about perfect for wade fishing. This water level allows for wade access to almost the entire river. Wading in pools up and down the river give wader bound fisherman fishing in nice runs, pools and pocket water from the dam area and gage pool to the beach pool. These flat water pools hold nice fish. Simple good landlocked salmon brook and brook trout fishing.
Flows from 2000 cfs-2500 cfs
When the dam is dumping more water from the lake, wade fishing becomes more difficult. Waders will lose access to many pools by 2500 cfs. When the water level rises above here, anglers may consider heading up to Big Eddy on the West Branch of the Penobscot, or hire a Maine Guide with a drift boat.
When to visit the East Outlet of the Kennebec River
Winter
The East Outlet has an extended season. From the dam to the beach pool, the river is open, fly fishing only, catch and release only, from November 1st to March 31st, few rivers in Maine are. If you see a day with warmer temperatures in the forecast, pack your neoprene waders and a handful of your favorite midge nymphs for day to remember.
fall
Fly fishing only and catch and release only fishing is also allowed in October, spawning season. In the late season, breeder class fish drop out of Moosehead lake dam looking for a place to spawn. Brook trout with their brightest colors on and male salmon with full kype troll the river looking for love. It's not just the fish in their full color dress, the trees explode into their fall colors. This is PRIME TIME Baby. My favorite time to fish the east outlet.
Summer
The dog days of summer heat and lower Kennebec River levels create more challenging fishing on the East Outlet. Landlocked Salmon and Brook Trout retreat to the deeper, cooler waters of Moosehead lake. The pocket water and deeper pools still hold fish, but I prefer the deeper waters of the West Branch of The Penobscot during July and August.
Spring
Early season, when the smelts run, bigger landlocked salmon and brook trout follow these fish back into the river creating some exciting spring fishing. These favorable fishing reports persist through the good hatches of March Browns, Henricksons and Light Cahill and may flies and well into the June caddis hatches. By then it's time to head to the local brook trout ponds for the hex hatch. We never know exactly when the trout ponds will give up their hex hatch, but by early July most anglers will stalk trout ponds impatiently looking for the legendary green drake.
Where can you fish the Kennebec River for Landlocked Salmon and Brook Trout
River Left, Upstream - South Side of the Bridge
You can walk up the road to "Wilson's" on Moosehead Lake, to the boat launch. Off shore from the boat launch is a great gravel shoal wade fisherman can stand on and fish. The shoal is big enough to get out away from the trees, allowing brook trout fishing with a full back cast. Like many places, this is a popular spot so get there early to claim our space.
Trestle
Right below the trestle, is a nice spot to drag some nymphs. A deeper run flows under the river left side of the bridge which can be productive brook trout fishing. Brook trout will feed on the eddy lines and from behind the rocks below the base of the trestle.
Upstream - North side of the Bridge
Walking the road upstream, try fly fishing the deeper slick of flat water slides near the shore. Before you step into the water, make sure you drag a strike indicator along the eddy line a few times, just in case a brook trout is feeding right there. Make sure to hit the rock at the bottom of the eddy, you never know what's living there.
Beach Pool
At the beach pool, the river cascades down a small rapid into a calm pool lasting as far as you can see. Look upstream and you will find a nice run just off shore, a nice place to drag nymphs a few times before you wade into the river.
Is the East Outlet of the Kennebec worth the Trip?
I hope you find your way to East Outlet of the Kennebec River, and the sportsman's paradise of Greenville, Maine. There are many fly fishing opportunities in the area, including the Roach River, and a myriad of Maine Heritage Trout ponds. There are also opportunities for fishing in Moosehead Lake, and bass fishing in the west outlet and Indian Pond. A trip to the East Outlet is well worth the trip. If you want to increase your odds, hire a guide. We here at Horizon Line Adventures would love to bring you down the river, and there are also several other guides would could recommend. If you have questions about the area, or planning a trip, we are happy to help.
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