April 2022

Well, the fishing started off slow in April with the water temperatures down in the 30s and 40s. Most ponds remained ice-covered until early May. Due to the melting of the snowpack, rivers and streams were flowing high and strong with smaller streams over their banks. I fished the Swift River a few times and came home with only cold feet and hands.

May 13-15, 2022

However, as May unfolds, the snowpack is lessening, and the waters are warming up. Over the past weekend May 13-15, the lower Magalloway River below the Rt 16 bridge was active with many reports of great fishing. On Friday, I scouted the Rapid River at or below Lower Dam. Water levels were around 1000 CFS which yielded no fish from the folks I spoke to. No reports of a sucker spawn. In another area, I did find a small stream that spilled into a pond (secret location) and netted 6 trout and 1 salmon. The salmon was about 14” and the two trout were 14” and 16”. Joes Smelt and Black Ghost were the flies for the evening. Suckers were up in the stream at that time.

On a Saturday scouting mission, the upper Magalloway at #10 bridge was at a good level with fish being caught at the bridge. Aziscohos Lake was at a perfect level and several fishers told me there were catching salmon in the lake. The Little Kennebago watershed (pond & river) was high but fishable. Watched fish rise i=at the Wire Pool in the morning. Saturday evening, I went back to the small stream and netted another 6 trout ranging from 8” to 10”. great way to cap off a day.

Other information I heard was the smaller ponds have started to fish well and the upper Kennebec River was yielding nice fish as well.

May 20-21,2022

Rain early in the week swelled many of the streams in the area so the dam operators were opening the gates up to regulate the lake levels. Flows on the Rapid and Mag were strong but fishable. Fishers were out in force but with scouting, solitude could be found. Reports of solid fishing and nice catches came in from all over the area. I fished the Kennebago River Saturday Friday afternoon with several nice 10”-12” brookies in the net.

Sunday morning found myself fishing the flat water on a windless pond. As mid-morning hit, bullseyes appeared all around my canoe and the game was on. Fish were moving across the pond, 4 or 5 abreast, surfacing about every 5’ to 7’ feet. Easy targets!

May 27-28, 2022

Another solid weekend for fishing. River and stream levels dropped and the flows out of the dams were adjusted to down around 600 cfs. Friday found me at the Rapid where fishing was strong. Reports from other guides yielded many fish were netted to include a few of the legendary ones on the hook. My fisher did very well with 4 NICE trout netted and one 13”. Hatches were strong all morning, so heavy nymph rigs were the name of the game.

Saturday morning found on the Mag nymphing in a few of the pools below the dam. Netted a nice 12” brookie, but a fisher across the river from me was netting fish about every 15 minutes. With the weather coming in, we jumped from spot to spot looking for fewer people or good water conditions. Settled onto a pond for the afternoon where we battled gusty winds from the approaching storms. Between the gusts, the water turned flat and a few trout were netted.

After my guides, the evenings found me in my canoe fishing smaller ponds around the area. As the breeze lessened towards sunset, surface activity increased and the fishing was on. Netted around 10 brookies ranging from 8” to 12”. Not a bad way to wrap up another weekend in Rangeley.

June 3-4, 2022

The fishing was great over the weekend. Water levels and flows were slightly lower than the Memorial Day weekend, but plenty of water to fish in.

Early Friday morning found me guiding on the Magalloway at Mail Box Pool. I was surprised to find, my client and I were the only ones at the pool. Fishing was solid, with a nice salmon on the hook jumping about 4’ straight out of the water. The 1/2 day guided wrapped up with a few additional strikes, but nothing in the net.

No guides Friday afternoon, so I hit the water. weather in the afternoon was a mixed bag with showers and sunny breaks. Hendricks hatches during the sunny breaks yeilded a few nice fish hooked on the surface with grey Klinkhammers. What a great afternoon!

Saturday started with an early guide on another local river. Long, heavy rigs with nymphs were the ticket to success. Two nice trout started the morning and a couple of salmon with wet flies in the afternoon. Reports from the upper Kennebago were positive as well with fish being caught in the upper part of the river and the pond.

June 10-11, 2022

The fishing was again great over the weekend. Water levels and flows were slightly lower than the previous weekend, but plenty of water to fish in. However, rain would be nice, but not what they got in Montana.

Friday found me scouting areas for my guide on Saturday. Headed to the upper Kennebago region between the two lakes. Water levels were good in the river at the bridge with a few fish surfacing up-stream. Water levels in Little Kennebago were high with little to no shore visible. Went upstream to the Wiggle Brook bridge, good water levels to wade in, but would need to fish the undercut banks or under the over hanging brush because the center of the river was shallow.

Saturday morning started at 6:00 am with client pick-up. We headed to the area of the Kennebago I scouted on Friday. Started the day at Wiggle Brook bridge. Worked upstream with a few strikes but no fish. At the location where Wiggle Brook joins the Kennebago, fishing was better. Netted 2 trout on a nymph rig but missed another 2 or 3 others. After lunch, we moved down steam and fished the banks. Netted 2 on the way down stream to the deep pool at the bend in the river. Nothing there. Headed back down the road to the base of Little Kennebago. Ended the day fishing in the lake and outlet. Netted many brookies from 6” to 10”. Great way to end the day.

June 17, 2022

Friday morning started with a full truck of fishers (Patty & Jenn) headed into the lower section of the Rapid River. Noted for having its fair share of bass in the river this time of year, I thought it was worth the risk in hope of landing a trout or salmon. After a 2 hour drive and hike, we were river side ready for the adventure.

After a few bass to get us warmed up, Patty hooked up first with a killer trout. It fought hard and spit the hook. Then Jenn delivered with a nice trout, and then another. Patty answered with a salmon. By the end of the day, we caught a few bass but did very well with trout and salmons. Good job ladies!

June 21, 2022

Today was a great day. I spent the day with Mary and Phillip. They were winners of a silent raffle which offered them a one day guide with Bucktail Guide Service. Both beginners, they worked hard learning the art of casting, mending, reading the water and patience. Focus fishing in one near by area of the Magalloway River, they both landed fish. Phillip netting the big one for the day at 16”!

June 23-24, 2022

Well the last two days have been guiding Frank and Paul, brother in laws from New York.

We fished the Kennebec hard on Wednesday. Changing rigs frequently to adjust to conditions. We fought the wind all day and had one hooked up, but shook the hook. Great scenery that is why it is called “The Yellowstone of the East…..”Frank, keep working on those rowing skills, I need help next year.

Now the second day was a different story. Took to the upper Magalloway region by storm. Fish, fish, fish. Pools, pocket water, flat water, we hit it all. By the end of the day we had a nice spread of 6” to 16” Brookies and a few salmon. Lost count of how many. Paul ended the day strong with 9 fish in 40 minutes!

Thank you guys for the fun and excitement. It was a pleasure guiding you guys.

June 25, 2022

Big day on a remote Maine stream. Nathaniel started out as a beginner and ended the day with a great tool bag of fly fishing skills. He netted around 10 fish to include a large trout that teased him all morning. Thank you Nathaniel for a fun day of learning, practice, and patience! Good job!

June 26, 2022

First time fly fishers Tara and Mike ricked it over this week. With much patience and grace, Tara netted her first trout. Mike on the other hand was a "Steady Eddie". He netted a few trout and one salmon over the day. Great job guys!

July 23, 2022

After inheriting flyfishing equipment from an uncle, she decided to pay her respects by learning how to fly fish. Last Saturday morning started with casting lessons for Kim on the waters of the upper Magalloway. After a few hours of overhead and roll casting instruction, she was ready to FISH. Temps were high, water was coolish, and the fish were biting. The day ended with 8 fish total, 6 for Kim. 2 for the guide (I hate it when that happens). Great job Kim. Hope to see you next year!