Where are the winter fly fishing opportunities in Maine? Are you looking for a chance at a trout or landlocked salmon? I hope this post gives you some inspiration to get out there and enjoy a nice winter day on the water.
If you are anything like me, you need to get out and cast, to knock the rust off, but where? I am going to list some of the most available winter fly fishing opportunities in Maine. Believe it or not, there are waters all over the State of Maine available year round for open water fishing. This is a partial list, there are waters open to fishing year round all over the State. If you get friendly with the Special Fishing Laws portion of the law book (https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/special-laws.html)
Flies?
Believe it or not, the insect life in the river is active all winter long, in particular aquatic bugs like caddis and midge larva and blue wing olive. In the winter, you are mostly dealing with young larva, which means they will be small. I like a size 20 Prince Nymph, Zebra Midge 18-22, Perdigon 18-22. I fish small Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, Copper John along with a collection of heavy tungsten bead tactical nymphs. You might need to size down your tippet to fish these tiny flies.
It’s best to check the law book and Gazatteer before you head out, to make sure you know which stretch of river you should be fishing, and where you can park.
Androscoggin County
Little Androscoggin River
The Little Androscoggin River running through Minot, Mechanic Falls and Auburn is open year round. It’s stocked with Rainbow and Brown Trout. You can find easy access in several places along the Little Andro, all spots you are more likely to find open water, because they are right at the bottom of a quick water run. The Rt 26 Bridge is a popular spot, as is Hackett Mills. Try the bridge on Lane Road, or below the dam in Mechanic Falls.
Androscoggin River
The Androscoggin River is open from the boarder of New Hampshire, all the way to tidewaters. Upstream, From Gilead to Rumford you can find Browns, Rainbows, Brookies and Landlocked Salmon. Downstream you can find bass. Lots and lots of bass. If you’ve never hooked a smallie on a fly rod, I’m going to recommend it. You might pick up a trout in Auburn, at the confluence of the Little Andro, but from Lewiston to Lisbon, the Andro is primarily bass and pike.
Cumberland County
The Presumpscot River
The Presumpscot River in Windham, Maine is a stretch of fly fishing only water that is open all year long. This river is heavily stocked, in December alone the IF&W stocked 75 18″ Brown Trout, 100 18″ Landlocked Salmon and 100 12″ Brook Trout. The Presumpscot is in densely populated Cumberland County, it’s fished hard in the spring, but in the winter, you could have the place all to yourself. Parking is available just before the bridge in Windham.
Royal River
The Royal River in Yarmouth is open from Elm Street to the tide water. There are several great access points for this section of river, making it an easy section to fish. The Royal River Park, on Elm Street, has a trail system all the way to Bridge Street. At bridge street you can stop and check the Maine Fly Company. If you are interested in trying one of their rods, the Royal River runs right behind their shop. In December, this section of river got 50 new 18″ Brown Trout. It’s not as heavily stocked as some other winter streams, but you could find a sea run brown trout hiding in these pools.
Hancock County
Orland River
The Orland River is slow, wide and hard to fish in the winter. You might find some open water right below the outlet of Alamoosook Lake, or under the two bridges near US Route 1. The Orland River gets about 500 trout a year. I wish you luck finding one of them during the winter. You might have more fun stripping a streamer for pickerel.
Union River
The Union River is open from Graham Lake to the dam in Ellsworth. It’s not stocked. It’s not fished heavily. You might find some open water just above, or below the US Route 1A bridge where you can feel the water and throw some line.
Piscataquis County
East Outlet of the Kennebec
The East Outlet is well known, but many don’t know you can fish from the Gauge Pool all the way to the yellow markers at the end of the Beach Pool is open all winter long. This stretch is wadable, especially at lower flows. You can park near the bridge and find access on both sides of the river. Take some time to visit the fly shot at Wilson’s. Scott and Allison are great resources and probably have the fly you need.
Waldo County
St. George River
Fishing for cold water species is available from Union all the way to the tide waters. St. George is also known for it’s population of sea run browns. Most of the stocking on the St. George takes place in April and May. I’ll be looking for some open water close to the coast hoping to catch a salter.
York County
Mousam River
The Mousam River in York County is open to fish during the winter, from the dam at Mousam Lake downstream to red marker located at Roger’s Park in Kennebunk. Since Thanksgiving the State has dumped over 100 18″ Brown Trout. The Mousam is a good spot to fish for sea run brown trout.
Be Patient
Winter fishing is going to require some patience. Fish in winter temperatures can be pretty logy. Take your time. Be tactical in your approach, a drift every few inches. Think like you are trying to drift it right into their mouth. If you get to hook up, its a great day.
Time to book your trip
January is time, if you haven’t all ready, to call your favorite guide and book your trip for next season. The longer you wait, the more likely it will be that your vacation week, or favorite Saturday of the season, have already been booked by another lucky party. To check availability with Horizon Line Adventures, click Horizon Line Adventures and take a look around, or email us at horizonlinefishingadventures@gmail.com and we will get right back to you.
