Things to Do in Downeast Maine – Grand Lake Stream
If you make it Downeast, to Washington County Maine, you are already willing to step off the beaten path. There are a few things everybody should check out like Cobscook State Park, with massive tidal swings and the Quaddy Head State Park, to see the light house. For hikers, the relatively new Cutler Coast Preserve has been drawn many new sight seer’s to the area. But there is one more location in Washington County where anglers must stop. Fly fishing fabled Grand Lake Stream for landlocked salmon.
Where is Grand Lake Stream?
Grand Lake Stream is both a tiny town in Washington Country, Maine and a stream connecting Grand Lake (East and West Grand Lake) to the St. Croix River. Grand Lake Stream lies at the outlet of West Grand Lake, about 10 miles off of US Rt. 1, just outside the town of Princeton.
Fly Fishing Grand Lake Stream
Grand Lake Stream is designated Fly Fishing Only. While other waters in Maine may impose maximum size limits on landlocked Salmon, Grand Lake Stream does not. Bag limit on brook trout is two fish, while anglers are limited to one landlocked salmon. Grand Lake Stream offers an extended fly fishing season, allowing fishing through most of October.
Fish species
Grand Lake stream contains many fish species, including bass in the summer months. Brook trout can be found in the steam, but it’s most famous as one of Maine’s premier landlocked salmon fisheries.
Are Landlocked Salmon Natural?
Landlocked salmon are a naturally occurring salmon in four Maine Watersheds. The Federally protected sea run Atlantic Salmon are genetically identical to Maine’s freshwater landlocked salmon populations. Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, never run to the Atlantic Ocean. So anglers may not be allowed to target sea run Atlantic salmon, but they can target its twin, the landlocked salmon.
Do Sea-Run Salmon Grow Bigger than Landlocked Salmon?
There are some notable differences between the fish. Sea Run Atlantic Salmon are typically 28-30 inch fish when they return to spawn. In places where it may be possible to confuse a landlocked with an Atlantic salmon, Maine has imposed a maximum length limit of 25″ on salmon. This should prevent anyone from accidentally killing a protected Atlantic Salmon.
Fly Fishing for Landlocked Salmon
Fly fishing for landlocked salmon is similar to trout fishing in moving water when you are looking for fish. Seams, eddy lines, tail outs foam and behind rocks are all great places to search. Once you set the hook you will see the difference. Landlocked salmon fly! These acrobatic fish jump, run, roll and shake their head trying to throw the hook. You are going to have to learn how to “bow to the king” if you are going to try to wrestle a 20 inch salmon into the net. Catching big salmon will test everyone’s fly fishing skills.
What Fly Rod Should I bring to Fly Fish Grand Lake Stream?
An 8’6″ to 9″ 5 weight fly rod should be just about right. 8’6″ to 9′ will cast far enough to reach just about anywhere on Grand Lake Stream. The average Maine Landlocked salmon runs 12-16 inches. If you catch a 24 inch fish, that 5 weight may not feel rather flimsy. You will have to work hard to protect your tippet.
It may not be important to have a large arbor fly reel but I won’t catch landlocked salmon without one. Salmon can turn and run right at you, and being able to pick up line fast can be helpful. You want to try to get these fish on the reel as fast as you can, so the drag on the reel can protect your tippet. Holding your line is a sure way to break off one of these powerful fish.
I’m going to complete the set up with a WF 5 weight line. I spend the extra money on Rio Gold Elite fly line. The line slides through the guide like, well, silk, and the weight forward line helps younger fisherman feel the rod tip load during the back cast. When you complete the forward cast, the Rio Weight forward will shoot all the way to the deepest water in the dam pool. Add a 4X tippet about as long as your rod and all that’s left is securing your favorite fly on the end.
Spring Fishing
There is nothing magical about Grand Lake Stream, it follows the same patters as most of Maines Salmon streams. You can fish before ice out on Maine lakes, but the salmon fill follow the their favorite bait fish, the smelt as the run migrate. This migration usually begins just after ice out in West Grand Lake. During the smelt run, many anglers swing streamers. Salmon may follow a streamer for a long ways before it strikes. Make sure to let the flies hang in the current after the swing, then strip it back until you can see the fly and be sure nothing is following.
Shortly after the smelts leave, suckers spawn. When the suckers show up, I tie on nymphs, usually a tandem nymph rig. Maybe a zebra midge with an egg pattern rolling along the bottom. Sometimes an egg sucking leach is just what the silver doctor ordered for large fish.
As the water warms you can expect to see the same pattern of prey items appearing according to water temperature. March Browns, Hendricksons and mayfly parade leading to caddis and stone flies in June. Eventually the water warms and the bass return. The stream holds salmon all summer, but I find the West Branch of the Penobscot more productive in July and August.
What are the Best Water Levels for Fly Fishing Grand Lake Stream
Flows on Grand Lake Stream range from 100 cfs to 3000 cfs but typical fly fishing flow are between 200 and 500 cfs. With these smaller flows, I’m looking for deeper pools to fish. With the typically gin clear water, fish can see the surface from deeper water. Dead drifting dry flies along the edge of rock eddies.
Where in Grand Lake Stream can I find Landlocked Salmon?
The dam pool is the biggest, and arguable most popular pool on the stream. There is a fishway in the dam, and salmon can stack up in the dam pool waiting to travel back into the lake. Get here early as it’s a popular spot for evening dry flies and anglers clad in wading boots.
Behind the fish hatcher is a quick water run where fish frequently feed. Fly casting streamers with a single hook, and wet flies may be the easiest way to fish this quick water sections.
One of my favorite salmon fishing spots is just above Little Falls. It’s a ways down river. I wouldn’t call it private fly fishing, but it’s less busy than the dam pool. This pool had everything I’m looking for. Slower current, where I can enjoy salmon fishing with dry flies. Who doesn’t love catching salmon on a dry fly? It’s got structure, several nice rocks to block the current for salmon looking to hide out of the current. There is a shallow shelf and relatively easy wading just off shore.
If you ever find yourself traveling through Downeast Maine, pack your fly rods. I’m not just false casting, Grand Lake Stream is ranked as one of the top fishing destinations in the Country. Fishing Grand Lake Stream is like stepping back in time to the 1920’s. There are other great fishing locations Downeast as well, but good luck finding them.
