Preferred equipment: Rods, Reels, Lines, & Leaders – If you are bringing only one rod, it should be an 8 or 9 foot, 5 or 6 weight rod, a regular standard fly reel, with matching WF 5 or 6 Floating line & a WF 5 or 6 full Sinking line. Leaders should be 4 to 6 X, 3-lb. test and 7 to 9 feet in length.

Fishing Vest: equipped with clippers, hemostats, fly floatant, tippet material, fly boxes, insect repellent, etc.

Flies: The following list is intended to give you some idea of the patterns that are usually the most effective flies used in northern Maine. It is not intended as a list to end all lists. Don’t be afraid to bring anything that you feel will work. Many western patterns are being used on our waters with a great deal of success. If you have patterns that have worked for you in other areas, give them a try. What flies you don't have, your guide will.

Dry Flies: - hornberg 8-14 (can also be fished wet), blue winged olive 12-16, adams 12-16, humpeys 10-14, devil bugs 8-14, elk hair caddis 12-16, henryville special 12-16, cahils 12-14, wolf (royal, white, grey) 8-14, green drake 8-12, stimulators 8-14, grasshoppers 8- 12, trude 12-16

Wet Flies & Nymphs: - muddlers 8-12, woolly buggers 8-12, woolly worms 8-12, stonefly nymphs 8-12, gold ribbed hare’s ear 10-16, tellico 10-14, zugbug 10-14, bead heads 10-16, leeches 8-12, bucktails & streamers 6-12

NOTE: Boatmen – The more that I fish for trophy trout in the outlying ponds of Maine, the more I am convinced that this pattern is a staple for large Brook Trout. I have come up with a couple of flies that represent a boatman, but I'm always looking for more effective patterns. If you have flies that duplicate boatmen, please bring them.

Season Breakdown: It is impossible to forecast exactly the best time for each type of fishing in northern Maine. The following season breakdowns are done to give you a general idea of what to expect in an average season. The weather, water level, and water temperature always play an important part of fishing in Maine.

Mid May through mid July: (ponds, rivers, and streams) dry fly-fishing, the best may fly hatches occur this time of the year. Early June through the latter part of June = small may flies. Late June through mid July = large green drake & hex hatches. Weather – cool to warm. Water level – high to medium

Mid July through August: (ponds, spring holes) nymphs & wet flies with full sinking lines. Dry fly fishing early AM and evening hours. Fish are concentrated in very small areas (spring holes) this time of the year. If you are willing to try some new techniques you will find that the largest fish are caught during this season. Weather – warm & comfortable. Water level – low to medium.

September: (ponds, rivers, and streams) Floating lines & full sinking lines. The fish tend to bunch up prior to spawning. Flies fished on top as well as under the surface work well during this season. Large and or brightly colored patterns fished with a fast or erratic retrieve should produce fish. With the fall foliage this is a great time of the year to plan a fishing trip to northern Maine. Weather – warm days, cool nights, wind can be a factor. Water level – medium to high.

If you have questions or concerns that are not covered on our web site, please contact us.

If you reached this page through Gary C's Guiding web site, close this window to return to our site.

Note: If you reached this page through a search engine, use the links below to enter Gary C's Guiding web site.