There are many fishing reports in Maine, but we focus on the West Branch of the Penobscot. Offering detailed information on everything from road conditions to what flies are working. We love the West Branch and want every angler brave enough to venture this way, catching fish and enjoying a top notch experience. While we are happy to guide or rent a boat to you, we are happy to offer information to everyone. If you have specific questions, shoot us a message.
Ponds
The weather and flows have created a mixed bag of fishing opportunities. In the past week, area ponds have been productive. Many anglers left the landlocked salmon, and the river and headed the remote ponds to see if they could fool a brook trout. Early season the water temperatures in the ponds rise more quickly than the river which gets fish start moving and feeding earlier.
West Branch of the Penobscot
River Flows
Early season the salmon fishing on the West Branch of the Penobscot got off to a slow start. Ripogenus Dam dumped some big water in the early spring. Even after they closed the deep gates, river flows remained high for a few more weeks. Right now, McKay is scheduled for 2,400cfs from May 23rd to the 29th. It’s a scant 2,400 cfs, as they are not currently running the sluiceway.
Brookfield is dropping the water in the evening to about 1,800 cfs, so if you are planning to float down river in the evening, expect the take out to be a little further away than you might normally expect. It’s not unusual for the fishing to shut off for a little bit after a change in the flow. In about an hour fishing start moving again and things will quickly be back to normal.
It’s the unofficial kick off to the fly fishing season here in Northern Maine, Memorial Day Weekend. I know, some of you have been fishing for weeks, but the challenging spring conditions should ease some, making fish more accessible for every fly angler. So, drop that floating fly line spool on your favorite rod and get ready for some fast surface activity.
Golden Road
Getting to Big Eddy and the prime West Branch fishing is going to take some time. The Golden Road conditions are, well, atrocious. Driving a truck I was down to a max speed of 35mph, in a car or pulling a trailer I would plan on 25 mph or less until the grader comes back for the summer.
Please heed these warnings and drive slowly. I saw more than one vehicle with a flat, and one BIG camper rolling through Millinocket on 3 tires and a rim. If you go slow and take your time, you should be fine. If you try to hurry, the road will punish your vehicle.
Water Temperature
On Friday May 26th the water temperature was 51 degrees. A few more degrees and landlocked salmon and brook trout will be begin moving . It appears due to the cooler water many salmon are still hanging in the slower waters of the lower river. A few more degrees and we will see fish moving upriver.
Bug Activity
Biting Insects
To start with, the black flies and mosquitoes, who have teamed up to deliver an arial assault unlike anything you will see in suburbia. For the next week or two, bug nets are in fashion. But if you are anything like me, the taste of Ben’s 100 and fish slime on my hands is soothing to the soul. DEET, a chemical so foul not even bugs will touch it.
For fishing bugs. . . There is a lot going on.
Mayflies
Hendricksons were hatching all weekend, but heaviest on Sunday. But, the landlocked salmon ignored them. No rises, no sipping emergers, no surface action at all. Along with the heavier Hendrickson hatch, were a few other varieties of Mayfly. I saw a Sulfur and a light Cahill. Early June should be dominated by mayflies.
Sub Surface Bugs
Things were pretty slow but we did hook a few fish on nymphs. A white wooly bugger hooked the largest fish on the day.
Streamer Fishing
Most of the landlocked salmon being caught were landed on streamer flies. Blue was the color of the weekend. Try a Blue Charm or Blue Jay. Or perhaps the fishing will move on to something different by next weekend.
What to look for in Coming Weeks
Fly anglers can look forward to great warm weather, prime water flow, water warms to prime water temperature, GOOD Landlocked salmon FISHING! DRY FLIES! Temperatures in the Katahdin Region should build through the week, hitting highs close to 90 degrees on Thursday. The water temps should rise enough to really get the brook trout moving, and feeding. Fish are like lizards, they need some warmth to be active.
Mayflies
Expect mayflies to continue to hatch. Even is the Hendrickson hatch plays itself out, anglers should see Sulfur’s and Light Cahill.
Midges
I saw a prolific midge hatch on Ripogenus Lake Sunday evening, but that’s not the river, but it’s never a bad idea to try a zebra midge.
Dragonflies and Damsel Flies
I’ve seen a few, in about a week they should start showing up for real. This week, I plan to stick with wooly buggers. Maybe if they start popping later this week, I’ll give dry flies a try.
Stoneflies
While I have seen a husk or two, the stoneflies should be another week or two. With a little heat, this week could have them popping next weekend, but I’m planning on sticking with stone fly nymphs for now.
June Thoughts
The West Branch is primed and ready to go off any day now. Good fishing for trout and salmon is close at hand. Fly anglers should be seeing more fish, bigger fish and a multitude of bug activity within the next week. The warmer weather should will help warm these cold blooded brook trout and landlocked salmon into hungry fish! The fly fishing should be incredible for the next 3-4 weeks.
Come enjoy the great weather and the best of the fishing season.
Fly Recommendations
Wooly Bugger, black stonefly nymph, flashback pheasant tail, zebra midge, Parachute Adams, Light Cahill, Hornberg, muddler minnow
On Deck: Bugmeister, Parachute Madam X (PMX) and a Stimulator.
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