The last 30 days of fly fishing in Maine

Fly Tying: Kelly Galloup's Articulated Bottoms Up

Sell your soul and tie this fly; it may land you something that is photo worthy

Back East, Back Big

So Chris stumbles back into the northeast fresh off a multi-year stint of flyfishing/skiing in the Jackson Hole area and I've been itching to get him on the water.  Last Friday night appeared to be a sure thing after several failed attempts in the previous weeks.  I ended up with a full day off on Friday at the last minute and Chris' plans to fish the Presumpscot also fizzled.  Earlier departure?  Consider it done.

It had been 90+ degrees for three days straight leading up to last Friday, so while I was fired up to hit the water, I forced back any high expectations.  The flow had doubled from the previous day (to a better flow) but this too had me cautiously optimistic.

We chased away the early afternoon hours putting six fish on the board in the upper stretch of the river; a mix of Brookies and Salmon from 12-16".  Certainly not a bad start given the conditions.

Around 3 pm we retired to the 4runner, opened a cooler full of ice cold Buds & PBR's and sat, content to watch an hour or more pass as we shot the shit, caught up, and exchanged stories of heroism.  We ended up talking with two guys in their 60's for an hour, great conversation but that is foder for a future post.

At 5p.m with a decent beer buzz keeping our spirits high, we trudged downstream in hopes of an evening session worthy of past trips on this fine stretch of water.

Not much happening was the word; limited hatches and small fish.  As the sun set we fished 50 yards apart with Chris dredging downstream but within eyesight.  A rumbling expletive echoed through the early waves of darkness as I saw a distraught BFC alum doubled over continuing to curse at a lower decibel level; he had just lost a beauty.  A few moments later I went tight while skittering a hornberg across the surface of a wide run; the fish missed twice, connected on the third shot and went hell bent for leather all over the river.  As it turned to come in my direction (thinking it had come off) I cursed the mosquito filled twilight and suddenly realized as I took up the line that the fish had covered some 60 feet of water in an instant and held in a pocket less than a rod length in front of me.  I could feel the heavy fish holding strong and was hesitant to put the screws to it at such close range.  No matter, the fish turned its head, hardly pulled, and my goddamn hornberg emerged from the water and drifted into the air....more explitives

Night fell, headlamps turned off, Kelly Gallop's finest tied on, and the moment we had longed for all day kicked off.  It didn't take long....

Morrell lost his virginity soon after

A 4lb 1oz pig, the largest Brookie he had landed in the last decade, and the largest he had ever taken on moving water or on a fly rod. 

Welcome back.......

Now boarding.....

Well boys the skiff is done. As always there is a free seat to any Solidhookups / BFC member or hang around like myself. I hope that someone will take me up on that invite because this little skiff rips and loves every minute of it. Thank you to all who have donated stickers.... there are room for more.

I took my brother the spin fisherman out with my dog on Sunday, finally fished a spot I have been gazing upon for 12 years. It was not nearly as good as I dreamed but awesome to finally be there. There is a 30" brown just above the head of this island, he was electro shocked a few years ago..... might try again some day.

Grassroots Guiding: Beneath the Mangroves

 My man Andy has got his guide service website up and running.  Check him out here.  Anyone interested in epic Florida backcountry fly fishing in the Everglades, get in touch.

Email:

Subject:  "It happens"
Body:  "i landed the fish that bent that hook.  it was only 20 pounds or so."

From the BFC Vault:

Came across this gem today.  I'm still not exactly sure how "Mookie" pulled this one off.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "President Hansen"
To:
Cc:
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 22:33:24 +0200
Subject: [fishing] Upcoming Elections



Dear Members of the BFC,

    It comes with great pleasure that I take time out of my day to assist you in your nominations.  First of all, I feel the need to address the lack of presence that the Bates Fishing Club has had on campus.  In past years there have been many events thus far, and you have been a more visible presence on campus.  In past years I would enjoy walking around Lake Andrews with my dog Fufu as we would admire the artistry of the fly fisherman casting their lines onto the placid water.  I remembered meeting and engaging in conversation with many of the student "fisherpersons".  Three members who I spoke with had a lasting impression on me.  Keith Lane, a graduate of the class of '03 and Ryan Heffernan '05, not only a gifted fisherman but a talented photographer as well, were the ones I recall reeling in fish after fish.  On the otherhand, Chester "Chet" Clem was a very visible member, but lacked the skill and ability as many of the other "fisherpersons".  Although this is neither here nor there, I feel that Chet, neither gifted in fishing nor writing, also has many effeminate qualities.  I can see it in the way he walks, the way he fishes (or lack thereof), as well as in the way he writes.  Honestly, I would not be surprised if he has pink sheets on his bed.  In fact, I have received word from a credible source that Chester has a half-naked Justin Timberlake poster in his room.  With this said I must insist that you nominate a more qualified, more masculine leader.  I would not be surprised if the previously mentioned "Grace" would be a better leader.  Deep in my heart I feel that one of Chet's beloved roommates and ladyslayer, Richard "Mookie" Blalock, would be a more suitable candidate.  Fufu and I have firsthand knowledge that "Mookie's" sheets are not pink, but are in fact a masculine blue.  His boyish good looks can only be rivaled by the likes of Brad Pitt and John Edwards.  Richard clearly stands apart from the rest and avoids the tendency of flip-flopping, which John Kerry and Chester Clem have resorted to. 

    In closing, I propose that Chester Clem be removed from the position of "Bass Master" as he should clearly be a strong candidate for the newly created position "The Hooker" against my beloved "Grace".  I appreciate your anonymous request for my input, and I look forward to being an active member under the new administration.  Thank you and vote well.
 
Elaine T. Hansen
President

 "MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING, IT'S THE ONLY THING!" -Anonymous


Elaine T. Hansen
President
Bates College
2 Andrews Road
Lewiston, ME  04240
(207) 786-6100
(207) 786-6434 [fax]
email:  president@bates.edu

A place I used to live

I used to live in southern Colorado.  Where the altitude is high, the air thin, the water cool and the trout plentiful and (sometimes, hopefully) eager.  

Work would have us in Navajo Dam, on the banks of the mighty San Juan River for the week days.  So we flew in early and flew out late.  

We arrived in Durango, rented a Chevy Traverse and proceeded to keep it full of strung rods, waders, boots, vests, beef jerky, Gatorades, trail mixes, granola bars and sun screen.  We started our trip on the Animas River, current holder of the state record brown trout.  Seven skilled anglers took to its waters for an entire day with one fish brought to the net.  Tough to complain about fishing in amazing weather in a Colorado trout river, but justified or not, we complained about one fish landed.  So we sought other water.  Enter the Piedra River.

Who doesn't just love stoneflies?  The dozen Pat's Rubberlegs I tied up for the trip were put on and immediately started hooking fish. 

 That's more like it.

 Next day we sought more fresh water. The upper Los Pinos.  Hike-in only.

My man Paul about to catch a brook trout, to complete his grand slam for the day, all on dries, all wild fish:  Brown, Rainbow, Cutthroat, Brookie.  Very solid.

While meetings took up most of the days, we were blessed with a half day float on the Quality Water section of the Juan.  Fish were taught.  Few pictures were taken.  One of note is below.  

We came around a bend and I spotted a boat with two standing anglers.  The tightest, sexiest loops were being thrown to the banks from the middle of the river.  Two left-handed casters I noted.  Hmmm, who could that boat be?  With 30 of us on the river that day, I surely should know them.  We approached and I realized that I was watching two of the best fly casters in the world fish with their off hands.  Pretty incredible to watch.  Siem and Gawesworth:

Meetings adjourned, Paul and I set on a road trip to Creede, Colorado and the 4UR Ranch, my old stomping grounds.  Chevy Traverse packed well.

Paul stuck one on his first cast.

And it only got better from there.

We hosted a rarty (river-party) on the banks of the mighty Rio Grande.  We brought out the two-handed switch rods, 4 and 5-weights and swung streamers from bank to bank.  A few grabs and a few brief fights, but none to hand on the swing.  I then decided to fish a couple holes on the creek one last time before departure.  My "cheeseburger" fly, the amazing Designated Hitter would be the choice.  One rise and a fish that went haywire all over the hole.  Downstream it went, into the big river.  Finally it tired and came to the net.  Possibly my biggest ever landed in the creek. 

Thanks Goose Creek.  Thanks Colorado.  Hope to see you again.  Soon.

In the garden of your mind ......

Click this song and give it a shot.....at least until the part where auto tuned Mr. Rogers jams out on the slide whistle ....

http://www.youtube.com/embed/OFzXaFbxDcM

Every year the Bangor Daily News ( local newpaper ) gives away a guided drift boat trip down the East Outlet of the Kennebec River. This year I won.

The best part is that I did not even sign up, I was out fishing while a woman that I work with was attending the local sportsman show and saw a drift boat inside the auditorium. "Jasper likes driftboats" she said and entered my name. Boo Yah

So Sunday morning I am driving north with the outdoor editor of the Bangor paper and chatting about Atlantic Salmon, deer, moose and a black bear welcomed us as we made our way to Greenville.

I have had a few guides in my driftboat but had never been on a guided float before and I had quite a time.

Caddis on the water like fuzz on a peach, double dry rigs and as many 10"-14" salmon and brook trout as a man could dream off came to the net.

Not to mention some stellar scenery

( Crank that volume down to 50%)

Great company, blue bird day, plenty of good conversation and willing fish but there was

one thing happened in the boat that really fired me up. I asked an off handed question about musky, something that had been festering in garden of my mind since I received a package in the mail from Clark. I got an detailed answer, with some inside info from our guide. So now plans will be made, large hooks will be wrapped with hair and thread and fish will be presented too....the rest is up in the air.

But it is good to be curious about  many things....... then all you gotta do is try.

Thank you to Dan Legere of the Maine Guide Fly Shop for an excellent day on the water and to John Holyoke and the Bangor Daily News for making this happen.

Back that BASS up!!

When the Tuna aren't willing to play, sometimes you just gotta bass...

....and we found some fatties!!