West Branch (Posted by Dan D.)

I had the chance to fish the west branch with Dave P. on Friday and we had a great time despite the rain. When we started fishing the flow was nice and we were catching fish and then a while later they boosted the flow and fishing slowed down considerably. After the boost in flow we looked for alternative fishing areas and made out well enough. I landed one nice fish that was 20" but most of the others were small. Fish were caught on nymphs, streamers, and dries. I just bought a new pair of LL Bean breathable waders to update from my neoprenes and all I can say is that I wish that I had done it sooner. Here are some pics.

Dave landing a small salmon


A nice salmon...put up a nice fight too

A New Trout Pond

I decided to hike into a new trout pond this am. After a 2 mile very muddy walk, I got there. After setting up the tube I got out and caught a fish on the 2nd cast. The next couple hours proved to be a bit more frustrating. There were fish rising all over the pond, but I could not get them to bite. I threw most of what I had and nothing. As I broke for lunch I began to look a little closer at the rises. It was actually the tails of the fish breaking the water. I figured the fish must be hitting emergers under the surface. I re-armed with a sinking line and a nymph and went back out. I would let the line sink to bottom and then retrieve it fast. This turned out to be the trick!

On the way out I ran into four hikers, one from DC, One from Mass, One from Jersey, and 1 from NH. One of the guys had sliced his foot open good, so I gave them all a ride to the emergency room in Millinocket.

Crappie day at camp

I took my nephew and daughter to spend the day at camp. Although it was the usual rainy weather we had a great time anyway. After deciding that 2 new fly fishers in a 13 foot canoe was a little dangerous, I rigged them up with wooly buggers and bobbers on a spinning rod. The crappies were bitting real good, and we also managed some sunfish from shore on the fly rods

Favorite pond

I've been planning all week to hit my favorite pond on Friday, so I was some excited when I woke up to a torrential downpour!!
So I packed up and headed in anyway. Covered in rain gear, the 2 mile hike was totally miserable. Fishing started off hot in the freezing rain. I caught four nice fish in the downpour. When the rain finally stopped, so did the fish. I don't have very good pics since I didn't want my good camera in the rain. My old camera is about ready for the trash. Anyway here is the only one that came out.

More Bass

Only had a short time this am, so I decide to head just up the road to try a little bass fishing. The bass were hitting good, as well as a few pickerel, sunfish, perch and chub. I hooked one good sized sunfish and as I was reeling in a pickerel came up and latched onto the side of the sunny and held on for about 15 sec. Cool!

Bass Fishing

I headed out to the outlet of Snake Lake this morning to try and score some largemouth. As the sun rose, there were literally thousands of dragon flies flying above the water. Some were hovering over the water others were landing on the lilly pads. The bass were going nuts over them. They would come out of the water and nail some in mid air, sometimes the would actually eat them right off the edge of the lilly pads!!! There was always a slash somewhere at all times! Only problem, I could not catch them. I threw everything I had and could not get them to bite. Definately cool to see, but mostly frustrating! I ended catching 2 small bass, a bazillion pickerel, and 1 huge yellow perch.

El Skunko

Got up bright and early this AM to head into a new brookie pond. I had a nice morning drive, an invigorating hike in, and a great day of kicking around the pond in my float tube. No fish. On top or on bottom. No fish rising, no minnows in the shallows, no bug or leeches, just crystal clear water. Did see some newborn raccoons and a feeding moose though.

The scenery wasn't too bad


This was left by someone who obviously has a stronger stomach then I do!!!

Memorial Weekend

I took the family camping at a local pond for three nights.
We had fun fishing, kayaking, and swimming on the beach.

Sitting in the sun on a hot afternoon


Gourmet camp cooking


I taught my daughter how to kayak (I think mom was a little nervous!!)


The pond was supposed to have Bass in it. I pounded the shoreline and caught a ton of fish, but no bass. Still fun, but I went through about 7 flies!!!


In the evening we just relaxed!!


All in all a great weekend!!!!!!



Now the real fishing begins!!!!!!!!

Local Trout Stream

Although I am coming down with something, and should have probably stayed home and relaxed, I decided to head out to my local trout stream for a couple hours Saturday afternoon. Wind was bad, and I spent a lot of time in the trees, but I did manage to squeeze a few fish in

A couple more ponds

I headed out the Stud Mill Road this am to try a new pond. After a few delays and a short walk in I got on the water. I kicked and casted for about 4 hours and never so much as saw a fish.
So I left there, but still had a few hours before I had to get my daughter, so I decided to head over to another pond I hadn't been to In about 12 years, and I had never tried with flies. The road in was no longer passable so I had to walk. Had a little luck fishing streamer just under the surface. Also found a new beaver flowage on a stream in the area that I will need to try in the future!!

A Couple new Ponds

I decided to try a couple new ponds near me this weekend. I have had these on my "to do" list for years and finaaly got around to them. Sat morning I hit a pond off the stud mill road. Fished for a couple hours, but that one was a total skunk

Sunday I decide to try the other pond, out off the airline. The scenery was certainly nice


I had a little more luck here


This little guy had a bait hook and leader hanging out of him. The hook was too deep to remove, but I cut off the leader that was hanging out of him


As I kicked by the outlet, where there was a beaver dam, I could see a fish working in the stream below, so I got out and went after him

In all I landed 7 fish in about 3 1/2 hours.
Fish were between 7 and 9 inches, all caught right under the surface.

Video of Rhiannon catching crappie

Fishing at camp (Posted by Dana)

I went to camp today with some of the family. My brother in law Dave (hornet0123) and niece rhiannon decided to head out fishing for a bit. And it was a perfect day for some crappie fishing! Rhiannon ended up catching the first few fish on her own barbie spin pole and good ol' shiners!! Then i got out my red wooly booger with gold sparkle in it and the crappie seemed to love that! I caught a good amount and rhiannon ended up with a total of 11! Dave caught a good share too! In all i think we were up around 30!!! At some point i think we all had fish on at the same time!! Thats makes for a good day i will say!!! Here are some pictures from our trip!



















Hope ya'll enjoyed the pictures and im sure i will have many more to come soon!